How do you choose an MSP that’s right for you?

We explore four simple tasks you can complete that will help you choose the right Managed Service Provider

There’s no shortage of Managed Service Providers on the market, all willing and eager to do business; but how do you ensure that the one you choose is ‘the right fit’ with your organisation? Here are four simple tasks you can complete that will help you pick the MSP that’s right for you.

Set your objectives

Before you start your search for an MSP, you need to build a clear picture of what you’re looking to achieve. Most often there will be a problem that needs solving, or a gap in skills or resource that you cannot handle internally. You may also want to leverage new technologies to facilitate digital transformation, or simply relieve the burden on your IT team.

Be sure to set clear objectives that you can use to benchmark success. These will form your brief, which you can then share with prospective MSPs.

Do your due diligence

Not all MSPs were created equal and conducting thorough due diligence allows you to quickly qualify prospective partners in and out. Build a list of questions that covers a range of topics including: their ability to understand your brief, financial stability, processes and service investments You can then assess their responses and shortlist those you are confident in.

Get to know your MSP

As you’ll be working with your new MSP for years to come, as well as placing a large amount of trust in them, you should take the time to get to know them. Speak to them about a range of topics, especially around their security policies and if they support hybrid infrastructure. You should also ask about their ethos and values as a company and the SLAs they offer.

Make sure the strategy fits – now and in future

What you require of your IT infrastructure will change over time, so you need to make sure your MSP can evolve with you. Ensure you share your technology roadmap with them and, if possible, get them to share theirs with you. That way, you can be confident that your infrastructure is safe for the years ahead.