If you think it’s time to change your managed IT service provider, you may be correct. When you retain the services of an MSP, you expect that provider to bring IT solutions to your business, reduce costs, increase flexibility, and promote growth. If your company has faced tech obstacles and you’ve been getting excuses from your current Managed IT Service Provider, it may be in your best interest to explore other options.
What Do Managed IT Service Providers Do? How Do They Help?
It’s difficult to know whether you’re getting the most out of your MSP if you aren’t sure what services they should be providing. Here are some of the essential services that your IT provider should offer:
Managed Cloud Services
Data Security
Cloud Security
Integration of New Systems
Communication Systems including Mobile Integration
Risk Management and Data Recovery
24/7 Remote Support
A Managed IT Service Provider should allow you the customization of an in-house information technology department, but with the flexibility and support of a much more extensive network. They should also create innovative information and security solutions that allow your business to adapt to changes while protecting it from both digital and physical threats.
5 Signs You Need a New MSP
It’s not always easy to know it’s time to switch MSPs. Switching providers can be an enormous undertaking, so it’s not necessarily a good idea to change your managed IT service provider at the first time you hit a hiccup, but these five signs may at the very least indicate that you need to give your current MSP a closer look:
1. Unresponsiveness
One of the primary functions of any MSP is to maintain the continuous ability of their client to do business. Interruptions will occur as various systems and components come offline for scheduled maintenance, repair, or replacement, but when a system goes down unexpectedly, the issue should be addressed expeditiously. Your MSP should offer round-the-clock support with a designated point of contact. If you find yourself waiting for a response, it may be time to review other MSPs.
2. Insufficient or Expensive Data Storage
Your business relies on its ability to access data. As part of any risk management plan, that data should be safely stored in the event of a criminal attack, accident, or natural disaster. If your MSP is unable to service your data or charges above-market prices for data storage, it may be time to see what their competition has to offer. Likewise, when your MSP discovers a crash, they should begin working on restoring services immediately.
3. Failure to Grow With Your Business
You may have noticed that your MSP’s performance has begun to lack in one or more areas. One of the reasons for this is that the firm you’re using failed to grow with your business. Another possibility is that they’re neglecting your company for an expanding client base. In either case, this may not be an issue that they can easily remedy.
4. Performance Failure
You may have already met with some challenges that you believed your managed IT service provider was equipped to handle. When the moment of truth came, your MSP let you down. It’s one thing to miss deadlines during a cloud migration and another to fail a real-world test. You don’t owe your MSP unlimited opportunities.
5. They Don’t Offer Services That You Require
Many IT firms are managed service providers (MSPs) or managed security service providers (MSSPs), but not both. Your MSP may be perfectly adequate for some of your needs, but you may also require an MSSP to handle your growing security requirements. Flagler Technologies are managed service providers in Florida but also managed security service providers. If you require both, you may want to explore a company like Flagler that will offer a full range of services.
Business Cost Benefits of Having an Outsourced MSP
When you compare the cost of building even a limited in-house IT department against the MSP service fees, it’s hard to justify the former option. MSPs achieve lower costs through an economy of scale. Here’s how it works and how it can benefit your company.
Pooling Resources – If you create an IT department, you’ll have to hire one or more people to manage the systems. There will invariably be some downtime for your staff. MSPs allocate technician hours and other resources only where they are needed.
Cutting Edge Tech – Most MSPs have a built-in excess of staff hours to allow for training and updating their knowledge. That means that the IT managers dedicated to your account are aware of the latest state-of-the-art solutions that are available for your company.
24-Hour Support – Staffing a 24-hour clock requires multiple employees, but if you choose a managed service provider that already offers 24-hour support for their multiple clients, you can have round-the-clock protection without the pricey labor bill.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Outsource IT
Unlike many aspects of your business — where the only way you can achieve a certain level of expertise is to build an in-house team — IT managed service firms offer a readymade team of experts for your business. MSPs are staffed by IT specialists who can provide top-tier advice to their clients. Most MSPs have resources that eclipse the needs of any single client, so expansion won’t be an issue. Conversely, if you need to contract your subscription, you won’t be required to lay off in-house employees. Your MSP will reallocate unused assets to other clients.
If you’re a small to medium-sized business that is currently trying to manage your own IT, or you’re unhappy with your MSP provider, it may be time to explore new options. In Florida, Flagler Technologies is first among peers in managed IT services and managed security services. Contact us today to discuss your seamless IT transfer.