A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a company that remotely manages the IT needs of other companies. They’re generally used by small- to medium-sized businesses that find it difficult to justify the hiring of an in-house IT department or who would like the expertise of a company that is completely focused on information technology.
In our case, we offer managed services for your video conferencing and other communication needs, providing localised support and event setup. But how do you proceed with finding an MSP that matches your unique business requirements?
Why Are MSPs Important?
The right managed service provider can save you both time and money while improving your productivity and efficiency.
But did you know that managed service providers also provide the following benefits?
- Managing scalability. It can be difficult for business owners to keep up with ever-changing technology while they’re concurrently running a complicated business. With an MSP as your partner, you’ll always have access to the latest tech.
- Keeping the focus on your core capabilities. When you outsource your conferencing to a managed service provider, you can stay focused on our company’s core mission and capabilities. Turn your attention to the areas of your business that only you can handle: personnel, marketing and strategy.
- Improving vendor relations. With video conferencing always at the ready, you can stay in contact with your vendors and make sure your business relationships are robust and healthy.
- Peace of mind. With a managed service provider taking care of all the technical details of your video conferencing, you can focus on your meetings and presentations instead of worrying about the details.
What Should You Look for in a Managed Service Provider?
If you’re in the market for a managed service provider, you’ll need a way of evaluating the candidates. Be sure to look for the following:
On-Call Support
When it comes to your IT, you need to make sure you always have the support you need when you need it. Therefore, look for a managed service provider that is available to you at all times, even on weekends and holidays.
An Understanding of Your Business
When you speak with representatives of MSPs, do they sound genuinely interested in understanding your business and how it works? This is important because your IT should be carefully coordinated with your business processes, industry standards and operations.
Proactive Support
To keep your business running smoothly, you’ll want a managed service provider that isn’t just there when problems occur. You’ll want an MSP that proactively supports your business in order to avoid problems in the future. They should be monitoring your systems to detect potential issues that can be corrected before they cause disturbances to your operations.
How Do You Hire One?
After getting referrals and checking the references of managed service providers you’re interested in, treat the process like a new hire. Invite an owner or representative of the MSP over to your office for an interview, and learn as much as you can about their business.
Try to understand how they work and whether or not they’d be a good fit for your company. Do your best to evaluate the company, not the sales rep, because you’ll be working with several different people from the managed service provider. Compare the most important factors for you: terms, prices, knowledgeability of the staff, response time, service level agreements.
To learn about our Managed Services at CommuniCloud, contact us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and get you set up with the services that will help your business to thrive.
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