Choosing the right managed services provider(MSP) is a huge decision for any organization. The true benefits of managed services can only be achieved by choosing the right provider. Here are some key things to consider when evaluating managed service providers.
Level of Skills & Expertise
The depth and breadth of skills at your MSP are critical. As an extension of your internal IT team, the MSP can augment and enhance your capabilities without the costs associated with hiring and retaining your own additional staff. Ask about the skill sets of their staff, how they gain and share new knowledge, and their expertise around scalability.
Service Management Excellence
The MSP is responsible for the operational well-being of your company. As such, their mandate must be two-fold. First, they must maintain your existing services, and secondly, they must enhance your capabilities through a process of continuous improvement. This can take the form of an action plan to streamline existing services and operational practices, or more importantly the introduction of new services that can help improve your business.
Adherence to Industry Best Practices
Does the organization uphold the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices? The ITIL is a best practice guideline designed for the IT service management industry that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of the client or business. An organization that upholds these best practices typically demonstrates improved service delivery and customer satisfaction, reduced costs through improved use of resources, greater visibility of IT costs and assets, and better management of business risk and service disruption or failure.
Strong Partnerships that Support Multivendor Environments
Your MSP should have partnerships with multiple vendors and be knowledgeable about a wide range of products and vendors. The best provider will play the role of a trusted advisor; they should be able to make the best recommendations for your organization.
SLA- Backed Performance
Your service provider should be able to provide you with a service level agreement that provides clear and measurable performance guidelines. This agreement is a blueprint of the service they will provide and can protect your organization's assets and reputation. The service provider you choose should be more than happy to sign an SLA.
Reputation
What are their current clients, previous clients, and industry analysts saying about them as a service provider? Research the reputation of a provider to ensure you are choosing one with an excellent track record.
Are You Looking for an Offshore Cloud Service Provider?
If you're thinking about switching to a cloud service provider, consider Cloud Carib. Located in Nassau, Bahamas, Cloud Carib is a cutting-edge, offshore cloud provider that offers private, public, and hybrid cloud solutions. If you're looking for tailored cloud solutions from a reliable provider, call (800) 390-2806 to speak to a cloud specialist. Contact us today to learn more >>.