4 Things to Take Care Before Choosing an IT Managed Service Provider

Outsourced IT services are more than just setting up WiFi and fixing computer problems. From preventing ransomware and phishing attacks to migrating technology to the cloud to replacing costly telecommunications infrastructure with VOIP, an IT managed service provider (MSP) should operate as an extension of your team, working closely with you to determine your technology needs, plan for organizational growth, and mitigate technology risks ahead of time.

The degree of outsourced IT services depends on the size of your organization, degree of user experience, and requirements specific to your industry. Choosing the right MSP means vetting the partner’s knowledge and approach to their services.

Go beyond an MSP’s IT expertise to evaluate if they have experience in your industry and/or a quick ability to understand your business and connect the dots between all the things you could do with technology and how that will drive your organization forward.

GO Technology offers special expertise working with law firms, private schools and local government agencies but has also worked with a wide variety of businesses.

Reactive IT support puts your time, money and security at risk. Look for an MSP that plays an active role in the business of their clients, operating as a trusted advisor (even beyond IT) and as an extension of your organization. They should be able to guarantee response times and have a team that works effectively with you team.

GO Technology offers a standard response time of 15 minutes, proactively handles your technology needs, and is passionate about maintaining close relationships with clients. We work with clients to identify needs, as well as find ways to save money with the right type – and application – of technology.

Effectively managing technology vendor relationships can make a huge difference in getting what you pay for, so you’ll want to vet whether prospective MSPs are willing to do this. This includes working with your internet and telecom providers, hardware and software vendors, and more.

GO Technology has worked with many technology vendors. We help clients who are underserved by their current vendors, stop paying for services that they don’t need are not being effectively delivered, and implementing new technology that often offers better functionality for a lower cost – e.g. PBXs vs. VOIP. If your internet goes down, you can count on us to get it back up as soon as possible and to minimize the risk of it going down again.

High-quality MSPs will be happy to provide references within your industry – and we recommend following up with their contacts. There’s no better way to vet a partner than to speak directly with an existing client.

An MSP acts as your first line of defense for technology and digital security, should be able to scale alongside your organization, and should have client testimonials to prove it. When speaking with a reference, ask about their responsiveness, technology experience and how they facilitate the organizations overall growth.

In addition to meeting in person on a regular basis, GO Technology conducts annual reviews with our clients to discuss what’s going well, what can be improved, and how technology can stimulate further growth in the years to come. You can count on us to make sure your technology facilities your organization’s evolution instead of hindering it.