Choosing a Managed Service Provider is one of the most important decisions your business makes. Once you’ve entrusted your technology to an MSP, it will be difficult, time consuming and costly to move. We have put together these top tips to help you choose the right partner.
The right portfolio and scalability
A quick Google search can find multiple MSPs but finding one with the right portfolio that can meet your specific business needs, plus has the breadth of service portfolio to grow with you, can be more difficult. Are you looking for specific skill sets and a technology portfolio that will drive your business forward? WTL is an experienced Solaris and Linux specialist and can drive real transformation in your business. When coupled with a deep understanding of your business and your specific challenges these are hard to find qualities.
Provides SLAs that meet your requirements
When looking for an managed service provider, the SLAs they offer will be critically important. Do they match what you are looking for? What happens if the MSP doesn’t meet the SLA’s? Are there any financial incentives? It is important to choose an MSP who puts its money where its mouth is.
When negotiating a contract, is the MSP flexible and willing to consider something that isn’t standard? The level of flexibility that is evident at this stage could be an indicator of how accommodating the MSP will be once you’ve been onboarded.
Expertise, qualifications and accreditations
It might sound obvious, but a quality MSP needs to have the right qualifications and should keep these up to date. Don’t just look for standard accreditations, expect to see deep expertise in the latest technology; cloud, AI, virtualisation, mobility, security, networks, edge, analytics and more.
Accreditations demonstrate the MSP’s commitment and investment and should indicate that they are taking your technology needs seriously. WTL holds all the most current certifications for Solaris, is a Red Hat Ready partner, Oracle Gold Partner, an Enterprise Solution Provider for VMware, a Silver Veeam ProPartner, and many other leading technology accreditations.
Culture and values
Does the MSP share the culture, ethics and code of practice of your own business? If this is to a long-term, mutually respectful partnership, your MSP should hold the same values and be committed to helping you to achieve your goals.
You need a partner that will evolve with the wider marketplace, utilising the best technology and the best services for your business. Not one that will get comfortable and forget about innovation. WTL partners with the leading vendors and is always seeking out innovation that will drive real business benefits for you.
Meet the team, ask to see the company handbook, do some research on Glassdoor, and find out more about the culture of the partner you are considering.
Best Practice Policies and Procedures
Ensure the MSP utilises industry best practice across the organisation. MSPs that adhere to common frameworks ensure that the right processes, people and systems are in place to help you meet your business objectives. WTL holds the recognised ISO27001 and ISO9001 certifications for physical security and quality processes.
MSPs should be able to detail its processes and policies to you, providing full visibility and transparency.
Security
As with policies and procedures, cybersecurity concerns will be high on your list. Look for best practice frameworks and inspect security policies and procedures which cover monitoring, detection, incident logs, remediation, risk management, patch installation and incident response processes. Ask the MSP to demonstrate compliance with regulations and to ensure that your data will be stored in accordance with the security requirements that the industry demands (PCI DSS, HIPAA etc) and with wider data protection regulations.
WTLis a Cyber Essentials approved partner, demonstrating its commitment to an industry standard cybersecurity framework and offers customers a high level of systems and data security and governance.
Word of mouth
Ask to speak to at least one or two existing customers who share your business transformation goals and some common demographics or use your own network to verify the partner’s reputation and reliability. You’re looking for an honest appraisal, that you won’t find by looking at a brochure or website. There is no greater endorsement than a peer endorsement.
When you have satisfied all of the above, then you are ready to choose a managed service provider. WTL will provide references on request and can satisfy any due diligence questions you may have if you are looking for an experienced and trusted managed service partner.
Useful Links
Intercity Technology – Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Managed Service Provider