Five Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing a Managed Services Provider

Transcription

1 Five Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing a Managed Services Provider

2 overview If you re reading this ebook, you re probably considering investing in IT managed services for your business. That s great news, because it means that you re already on the road to fewer technology headaches and more streamlined business communication. But if you choose the wrong provider, you may discover that it s hard to reach a real person when you call, or that you re out in the cold when something goes wrong. So how can you be sure that you re selecting a managed services provider you can rely on? The five essential questions in this ebook will help you in your search for a great IT managed services company. As you explore managed services companies and talk with representatives, remember to ask these key questions. They will help you choose a managed services provider that will be a reliable and committed business partner for your phone and Internet service. 1 Is the company s experience backed by industry-recognized credentials? 2 Do they provide complete solutions for deployments and procurements? 3 Will your managed services provider manage your network security? 4 Will they provide strategy consulting and support, and be invested in the success of your business? 5 Is the pricing model consistent and transparent?

3 question 1 Is the company s experience backed by industry-recognized credentials? It is easy for a managed services provider to tell you that they are experts, but the best providers do more: They show you. When choosing a managed services provider, you should consider the industry endorsements behind their expertise. Are their technicians industry-certified? Is the company recognized as a certified partner by vendors? Also consider history, stability and client satisfaction: How long has the company been working in IT managed services? Do they have client testimonials readily available? Take the time to read up on the company s track record before you make a decision. You will also want to consider the depth and breadth of their experience. Have they worked with a range of technologies and clients? Do they know how to accommodate any special security concerns in your industry? (HIPAA, etc.) Consider the complete picture of certifications, testimonials, and experience before you make a decision. Understanding a provider s reputation within their industry, their vendors, and their clients is an important baseline to establish before you move forward with a decision.

4 question 2 Do they provide complete solutions for deployments and procurements? You want to work with a managed services provider that will create a solution that works for you not just copy and paste what works for someone else. Flexibility and a willingness to deploy solutions outside their usual range of products shows a company s commitment to building an IT plan that fits you and your business. If you want to use a particular device or software that is outside the usual range of your managed services provider, you want to hear let s make it work, not we don t do that. That s the difference between a vendor and a partner. A managed services company that provides complete solutions should have a procurement process that includes partner-level discounts with vendors that they can pass along to your business. If you re working with a managed services provider, you should never be put in the position of shopping around for the best deal on equipment or software the services provider should bring the best deal to you.

5 question 3 Will your managed services provider manage your network security? Even in the very best network, things go wrong that s a fact. The true test of an IT managed services provider is how they react when an issue arises. A good IT managed services provider will jump in to action and work tirelessly until the problem is resolved. They ll take responsibility for your connectivity and your security, and you can always rely on their service and support. Security is one of the predominant concerns of any executive. We know that your security is your reputation, and that when you trust us with your security you trust us with you reputation. That s a responsibility we never take lightly. When it comes to any type of business services, you want to work with a company that measures their success by your success, and that will be as committed to your business as they are to their own.

6 question 4 Will they provide strategy consulting and support, and be invested in the success of your business? A quality IT managed services provider will be a true partner for your business, not just a vendor. Be sure to ask questions like, will they provide CIO-level consulting and overall strategy support? Will you have a designated account manager who you can easily reach if you have questions or concerns? An experienced IT managed services firm has guided many businesses through unique challenges. This gives them deep knowledge that they can pass on to their clients in the form of strategy consulting. CIO and management consulting can help your company plan a complete IT strategy that meets your business goals and helps to expand and strengthen your business. Internet & Telephone provides CIO consulting that will assist you in selecting and implementing the technology solutions that your business needs now and in the future. We ll work with you to develop a needs assessment, network design, and implementation plan.

7 question 5 Is the pricing model consistent and transparent? Your business is growing, and you need a managed services provider that can grow with you. Scalable solutions that can accommodate your business at any size five people in a single office, or five hundred people spread across the country are the key to consistency and reliability in your business communications. Honesty and transparency in pricing is also important. Will your managed services provider charge you every time you call for support? Will you have unexpected fees appearing on your bill each month? Internet & Telephone can build a plan that charges only a flat monthly rate. All of your services appear on one streamlined invoice, and there are no unpleasant surprises when the bill arrives each month.

8 Our commitment o our clients runs deeper than just providing complete, consistent support. We ve built our company around the philosophy that we succeed when you do. To learn more about what our IT managed services can do for your business, contact a representative today. Call us at