Handing over your IT to an MSP is a major decision. Who do you choose, and more importantly, how? While no rulebook will tell you exactly how to proceed, here are a few hints that can help you decide how invested your prospective MSP is in you.
How well do they know your industry vertical?
It is important that your MSP truly understands the industry-specific IT challenges you face so they can help you overcome those challenges effectively. For example, do you have a commonly used software program or any governmental or regulatory mandates that you must be adhering to? Is your MSP knowledgeable on that front?
How well do they know you and your values?
How well does this MSP know your business in particular? Have they invested time learning a bit about you from sources other than you–like your website, press releases, etc.? Do they understand your mission, vision, and values, and are they on the same page as you on those? This is important because you and your MSP have to work as a team, and when you start to see things from your point of view, it will be easier for you to build a mutually trusting, lasting relationship with them.
References and testimonials
References are a great tool to assess your prospective MSP. Ask them to provide you with as many references and testimonials as they can. It would be even better if their references and testimonials are from clients who happen to know you personally, or are in the same industry vertical as you, or are well-known brands that need no introduction.
Are they talking in jargon or talking, so you understand?
Your MSP is an IT whiz, but most likely, you are not. So, instead of throwing IT terminology (jargon) on you, they should be speaking in simple layman terms, so you understand and are comfortable having a conversation with them. If that doesn’t happen, then probably they are not the right fit for you.
Were they on time?
Did your MSP show up when they said they would? Punctuality goes a long way in business relationships and more so in this case as you want your IT person to ‘be there when an emergency strikes.
While many factors go into making the MSP-client relationship successful, you can assess the ones discussed above during your first meeting. They are kind of like very basic prerequisites. So make sure to fill in these basic conditions before you decide on a second meeting.
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