Choosing an MSP is one of the most important decisions IT managers will face, so be sure to partner with one that matches your technology needs, will be there when and where you need them, and has your back for the long haul. 

Achieving technology success is a key driver for realizing your organization’s goals. With so many changes in today’s world, technical capabilities are more woven into the fabric of your business than ever before. Organizations that leverage technology are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the new normal. Conversely, those organizations that struggle to keep up with technology find themselves behind as they face lost productivity, operational failure, and unhappy customers. 

Choosing the right Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) is critical to obtaining the technology success that separates the forward-thinking companies from the ones that get left behind. As security threats increase, remote work proliferates, and Software as a Service solutions become the norm, what it means to manage IT has evolved. Read on for three elements to consider when selecting an MSP.

1. Core Competencies

From the simple to the more complex, every organization’s technology needs are different. You may need security operations, network cabling, or compliance advice while another company requires CIO services, IT governance training, or software development. The major expansion of technology disciplines in recent years ensures that there are providers for just about anything your business requires. 

Consider the exact ways your organization uses technology, including the tech-related needs of your team, and use these to match the skill sets offered by each service provider you evaluate. Most MSPs specialize in a handful of offerings, and no technology provider does it all. If you can, partner with an MSP that has expertise in your market niche so they will thoroughly understand your IT requirements. The provider’s core competencies should align with the way you leverage technology and “fit” with the needs you have identified.

2. Service Delivery Options

Even before the pandemic, many people were working virtually, in hotel rooms, airports, and other places. Chances are, your employees work a bit beyond what is considered “normal working hours,” too. As working conditions become less standardized, working outside the office and beyond the workday means a wider need for service availability. 

Be sure your MSP is able to accommodate your IT needs in different office locations as well as nights and weekends if your staff regularly conducts business during atypical hours. Your provider should be forward thinking to keep pace with you as your technology evolves, including matching the needs of your people whenever and wherever they work.  

3. The Long Term

If you are searching for a new MSP, you probably have been working with one that does not meet your needs. Perhaps you are focused on what is going wrong right now without considering what technology needs you will have in two or three years. However, you should be thinking about what your organization will require in the long term. 

Hopefully, once you make your selection, you will not be on the market for an MSP in the short term because most business-service provider relationships last a while. So, you want to know that your provider has a plan to face the challenges of today while anticipating and planning for those of tomorrow. You want to know they are looking out for you so you can continue to focus on your core business activities no matter what the future holds.  

Use these tips as a quick guide to selecting your next Managed IT Services Provider. Choosing an MSP is one of the most important decisions IT managers will face, so be sure to partner with one that matches your technology needs, will be there when and where you need them, and has your back for the long haul.