Does the MSP specialize in your field?
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution in IT infrastructure building and maintenance. Each business has different needs. For instance, the IT solutions for supporting the operation of a social network will dramatically differ from those for an online store. The main pain points of an online shop are the system’s tolerance to a significant increase in loads and data security while for a social network loading speed and protection of personal information are more important.
Is the provider trustworthy?
You can’t be too picky when it comes to choosing a provider to pass your data to. Meticulously earn everything you can find about your MSP of choice. Look for case studies to get an idea of the set of competencies the provider actually has.
Reliable MSPs will provide references so that you can get a real review of their work. Make sure to pick only providers that have impeccable references.
Is there a security guarantee?
The safety of a provider is indicated not only by the reviews and case studies but also by the documents you sign to work with them. Reliable MSPs that care about their clients sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA), it’s an industry standard.
This agreement outlines the responsibilities and obligations of both the provider and its client, fixes the terms and conditions, and mentions penalties in case of non-fulfillment. If a conflict between the provider and the client occurs, the SLA will regulate their relationship.
Does the MSP provide 24/7 monitoring?
Sadly, technical errors and bugs can happen at any time and on any day of the year, including holidays and weekends as well. This means that your IT management should be able to provide 24/7/365 monitoring.
While continuous monitoring is crucial for your business, it doesn’t have to be done by human support. First, it’s not as effective as high-quality multiple-step automated monitoring. And secondly, it’s more expensive for the client.
Is the incident response time fast enough?
There’s no point in continuous monitoring if the errors are not fixed within the shortest time. Request the information on the average response time the MPS provides. If you can find a clear statement on that on their website, it’s already a good sign. For example, ASAP Lab’s website claims that its employees react to errors within 15 minutes. Moreover, after fixing the problem, they provide their client with a thorough report which includes recommendations for the future.
Is the billing policy transparent?
One of the main advantages of turning to an MSP service is the consistency and transparency of the monthly spending on IT maintenance. Make sure that the potential provider’s billing scheme is as transparent as possible and that you’re okay with it.
