Partnering with a managed IT services provider (MSP) has become increasingly popular among companies in Charlotte. By outsourcing their IT needs, they are able to focus on growing the business and leave IT management to the experts. However, with so many MSPs in Charlotte, choosing the best one for your company can be challenging.
Following these five tips can help you make a guided decision.
1. Send out an RFP
Start by creating and sending out an RFP (request for proposal) to different MSPs. An RFP is a document that outlines your organization’s IT needs and provides a detailed description of your current IT infrastructure and any future requirements. The RFP should also detail the services you need and the level of support you expect.
Sending out an RFP allows you to set clear expectations for the MSP and ensures that you receive proposals that meet your specific requirements. This helps to avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications.
The MSP’s response to your RFP will allow you to gauge their understanding of your business requirements and their ability to meet these. And if you receive several RFPs, you will be able to compare different MSPs and their proposed solutions side by side.
2. Check the MSP’s experience and expertise
Look for an MSP that has been in business for a while and has experience working with businesses of the same size or industry as yours. This ensures they have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle your specific IT needs effectively.
Additionally, make sure the provider has the necessary certifications for the services you need. Certifications demonstrate that an MSP has the technical expertise to manage your IT infrastructure effectively and that they are up to date with the latest industry standards and best practices.
3. Evaluate their customer support
Asking the following questions can help you assess the quality of the MSP’s customer support:
- Do they have a dedicated support team that’s available 24/7?
- What is their average response time and resolution time for support requests during and outside of office hours as well as on weekends and holidays?
- Are they able to provide remote and/or on-site support when required?
- Do they have a ticketing system to track support requests and their resolutions?
- What is their escalation process in case of critical IT issues?
- Can they refer you to current or past clients so you can assess those clients’ customer support experience?
The answers to these questions will help you determine whether the MSP can provide timely and reliable support when you need it most.
4. Consider their pricing model
MSPs offer a subscription-based model where you pay a monthly or yearly fee for their services. Make sure you understand what is and is not included in the subscription and what services or features come at an additional cost. This will help you budget effectively and avoid unexpected costs down the line.
5. Look for scalability
As your business grows and evolves, your IT needs will also change. You want to partner with an MSP that can scale their services up or down to meet your changing needs. For example, can they add or remove users, devices, or services quickly and efficiently? Having scalable services means the MSP can meet the current demands of your business and that you can pay for only the services you need.
SpectrumWise has been providing IT support and services to Charlotte-based companies for over 20 years. With us at your side, you can focus on your business knowing that an experienced IT partner is always looking after your technology. Schedule a FREE consultation with us.
