IT infrastructure has grown increasingly important for businesses over the years. Information technology upholds many crucial processes and workflows in modern business, and therefore businesses must have the right support and management for their IT. For many businesses – such as those in the small to mid-range – the best solution is to partner with a managed service provider (also known as an MSP). We spoke with an MSP based in London, TechQuarters. According to them, the best MSPs have certain qualities that guarantee businesses are getting a service that suits their needs.
What Do Managed Service Providers Do?
A managed service provider is an organisation that works with other businesses to manage their technology infrastructure for them. These responsibilities range from IT support to IT projects, upgrading and replacing systems, etc. MSPs (such as TechQuarters) are often official vendors of business solutions who also offer wrap-around services. The benefit of working with an MSP is that they enable businesses to relinquish most of the responsibility of managing their IT, allowing them to focus more on other areas of their business.
Crucial Qualities of a Good MSP
- Cloud Experience
Nowadays, cloud computing is one of the most popular technologies in the business world. As a technology, it provides businesses access to cutting-edge computing resources, data storage, and software in a scalable, secure way. The easiest way for businesses to access cloud services is through a managed service provider. For example, TechQuarters is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and provides Microsoft Office 365 consultancy and provisioning for businesses. As the cloud is one of the biggest demands among businesses, and managed services are meant to give businesses more than simple maintenance of their existing IT, businesses should be looking for MSPs that integrate the cloud into their services.
- Customisability
To ensure maximum value and customer satisfaction, the best-managed service providers customize their service to each client. Every organisation has unique business requirements, goals, and challenges, and requires tailored solutions that align with their needs. Every business will have different technology preferences, security needs, compliance requirements, and service level expectations. Every business is slightly different, and partnering with an MSP that takes a cookie-cutter approach to services will not do – they must cater their services to each client.
- Reliable IT Support
As technology has grown to be integral to business operations, businesses need to keep their technology stacks running consistently, with minimal downtime, and optimal efficiency. IT support is a common feature of managed services. Considering that the typical MSP’s role is to take full responsibility for the client’s IT, supporting that IT plays a major role in the service. TechQuarters, for instance, provided IT support for Education organisations in addition to other tech services like cloud migrations, and other modernization projects.
- Service Level Commitments
A managed service provider contract should always include a service level agreement that guarantees the client a minimum standard of service. With clients paying a premium for these companies to essentially take over their IT management, this makes perfect sense. However, some SLAs in the business world are aimed more at protecting the service provider, than guaranteeing a quality service for the client. Businesses looking at partnering with an MSP should look into the type of SLA they can expect.
- Knowledge of Your Industry
Every business is different, and so an MSP should be able to cater to that. But, more importantly, industries can vary wildly, in terms of IT needs. For instance, companies in the legal sector should be looking for MSPs with experience providing managed IT support Law Firms have worked with in the past – and the same is true whether the company in question is in law, finance, manufacturing, or any other industry.
