5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Managed IT Service Provider
1) Is Your Approach Security-First?
The importance of thorough cybersecurity in the modern IT environment cannot be overstated. Here are some statistics that illustrate the importance of cybersecurity today:
- There was a 38% increase in global cyberattacks in 2022, with ransomware increasing 300%.
- Security breaches have increased in frequency, with 23% of SMB customers experiencing a security breach within the last year.
- The average cost of cyberattacks continues to go up—with the average cost of a small business data breach being $108,000.
- Cyberattacks are continuously hard to identify and contain, with it taking an average of 287 days to notice and then stop a data breach.
Many businesses don’t have the resources to survive a cyberattack, which is why partnering with a managed IT service provider with excellent cybersecurity practices is crucial. Ideally, they should offer a full suite of security services with comprehensive coverage. The right partner should be able to help you with a wide range of security solutions, including:
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Security Assessments
- Vulnerability Management
- Incident Detection and Response
- Network Monitoring
The right MSP will offer physical security offerings in addition to cybersolutions. Did you know that 82% of data breaches are the result of human error? One of the best ways to prevent your employees from making careless mistakes is by incorporating physical security solutions that reinforce the importance of security to your organization. You can’t pick and choose where to prioritize security—your next MSP should offer comprehensive security solutions.
Wondering What’s Included in Comprehensive Security Coverage?
Find out what’s included in comprehensive security coverage by exploring 12 Points Technologies, LLCs security solutions. From endpoint protection to penetration testing and even physical solutions, we provide total coverage.
2) Do You Offer Multi-Vendor Support?
Today’s IT landscape is a constantly shifting amalgam of classic tech components like software, hardware, and networking gadgets.
When choosing an IT managed service provider (MSP), you need to know that the company has previous expertise operating within this combined environment. A computer network that delivers the products and services your business depends on needs to be secure and well-maintained. Your next MSP must have a grasp of the inherent complexity of this ecosystem in order to guarantee secure navigation through it. Moreover, they should be able to tap into key players in your sector with existing ties and gain better insight into upcoming trends and modern advancements.
3) What Service Structures Do You Offer?
All IT managed service providers offer different service structures. It’s important to know what these structures are and which type of structure fits your needs best. While none of these services must be a part of a part of an MSP’s structure, they are quite common:
Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG): A PAYG model allows customers to pay for services based on usage or a set fee per month. This is suitable for businesses that do not require regular maintenance of their IT infrastructure or those with limited budgets.
Managed Services: This type of service structure involves an MSP providing both proactive and reactive support for IT systems on a contractual basis. These services typically provide 24/7 monitoring, maintenance, and help desk support in order to keep IT systems running efficiently. Managed Services is ideal for businesses that have complex IT infrastructures and need regular maintenance and support.
Consultancy Services: Consulting services involve an MSP providing expert advice on IT strategies, operations, and projects. They may also provide system design and implementation services. This type of service is ideal for businesses that need help in planning their IT strategies for implementing new systems.
Project Services: Project services involve an MSP providing specific services related to the development, deployment, or maintenance of a project. These services typically involve the design, installation, and testing of projects to ensure they meet the customer’s requirements. This type of service is suitable for businesses that require a one-off project to be completed quickly and efficiently.
Cloud Services: Cloud services involve an MSP providing cloud hosting solutions to customers. These solutions are designed to make it easier for businesses to store data securely in the cloud. This type of service is beneficial for businesses that want access to their data from anywhere with an internet connection as well as improved security and scalability when compared to traditional on-premise.
Network Services: Network services involve the design, implementation, and maintenance of a customer’s network. This type of service is suitable for businesses that require a secure and reliable network connection with minimal downtime.
Security Services: Security services involve the implementation of security measures to protect a customer’s data from malicious threats. This type of service is beneficial for businesses that need to keep their data secure at all times and want to minimize the risk of data breaches or cyberattacks.
Support Services: Support services involve assisting with troubleshooting any technical issues that customers may have. This type of service is suitable for businesses that require 24/7 support and want to reduce the amount of time they spend dealing with IT issues.
4) Which Services Do You Specialize In?
When choosing a managed IT service provider, it is important to research which services they specialize in. This will help you determine what type of services they can best offer your organization and which ones are outside of their area of expertise. Different MSPs offer different types of services, such as IT support, data backup, disaster recovery, co-managed IT, cloud solutions, security, and more. However, the services that an MSP offers may vary from one location to another based on the customer base in each area. It’s important to find an MSP that offers the type of services that your business needs in order to ensure that you get the most out of their service.
When evaluating a managed services provider, you want to work with one that is going to be a trusted advisor to you. The right MSP should be able to evaluate the business needs and needs of your teams and impartially tell you what works best based on their knowledge and experience. Too often, managed services customers feel like they are being pushed additional services that they end up not understanding or need. If this happens, you may find yourself confused about service offerings and getting pushed options that you don’t understand. This can lead to additional costs or even worse, alienating your IT team if they feel pressured into using unfamiliar technology. When this happens with managed services, it is time to consider a different provider.
5) How Fast is Your Response Time?
When it comes to a successful network, timing is key. To prevent long outages that can lead to serious loss of productivity and income, researching an MSPs average response time is essential. Look for one that offers an average turnaround of less than two hours so you don’t lose chunks of your day due to IT difficulties. Don’t just take their word for it—follow up with their former customers and get hard numbers relating to their customer retention rates and customer satisfaction ratings.
You’re better off investing in reliable support than dealing with the consequences of poor or inadequate technical assistance.
Get the Right Answers: Contact 12 Points Technologies, LLC Today
If you’re looking for managed IT services in Omaha, 12 Points Technologies, LLC is the right choice. Our managed services provide premium support and guidance to ensure your business runs smoothly with up-to-date technology. We have an experienced team of professionals readily available to answer any questions you may have and ensure that your network is safe and secure from cyber threats.
We offer a wide range of solutions designed to meet each business’s individual needs. Our team of experienced professionals can help guide your business through the process of selecting the right MSP and setting up a secure network so you can focus on running your business without worrying about IT issues.
We understand the importance of a secure network and fast response times, so we guarantee that our customers get the best service possible. Plus, with our 24/7 support, we ensure that our clients have access to the help they need whenever they need it. 12 Points Technologies, LLC is the perfect partner for any business owner looking for reliable managed IT services in Omaha. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
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