According to a recent report by Deloitte, having in-house IT roles takes about 70% of the IT department’s total budget. Information technology is an indispensable part of any company. However, spending a ridiculously high amount to maintain IT systems is not viable.
You might want to consider managed IT service providers, to save on costs and tap into the expertise. Hiring an IT provider can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. You’ll get thousands of IT providers, and choosing one over the other is often a challenge. There are several questions to ask in your quest for the best IT provider.
Here are the top questions to ask your IT provider.
1. What Credentials Do You Have?
Credentials in IT providers are something you shouldn’t compromise on. With the ever-evolving cloud technology, it is crucial to work with someone who has embraced new technologies. They should have certificates and licenses to show for it.
At this point, you might want to ask more about the training of technicians. Inquire about ongoing learning opportunities and the kind of certificates acquired. You should also seek answers on leadership qualifications to know more about your IT partner.
It is vital to know the credentials of experts who will be handling your most delicate department. You’ll note that an IT company that’s proud of its trained people will be all out about it. They will provide you with more information about the team’s certifications and training as it is one of their major selling points.
An agency that isn’t keen on credentials is a red flag. When you outsource your IT services, you won’t be in control of who does what. The last thing you’d want is having an inexperienced person handling your essential IT needs!
2. Do You Offer Live Help Desk Support?
With IT, a technical issue can occur in the wee hours of the morning or night. Failure to sort some problems immediately can have adverse impacts on the business, from lost clientele to security breaches. You ought to get an IT provider who offers live help desk support at any time.
Your employees can get headway with a technical issue if there’s adequate support. Live help desk support is crucial as your company can get assistance on a problem regardless of time.
You need to be sure that you don’t have to wait until the next business day to sort your concern.
With the support that’s working 24/7, your employees will be productive all through. You won’t worry about cases of downtime affecting your company’s productivity. As such, ensure that your identified IT service provider has a live help desk for your peace of mind.
3. Who Are Your Clients?
When searching for IT support, you need to be sure that the identified providers can handle your company’s needs. Understand whether your identified IT agency deals with small or large companies.
A company’s IT needs with more than 100 workers are different from a small company with less than 10.
Some IT providers don’t have the equipment or staff to handle a multinational company. You’ll never know until you ask. It would help see their portfolio and client testimonials to be sure of the kind of business they can handle.
You might also want to know more about the industries the IT companies have been working with. If you’re in the health sector, prioritize an IT provider with such kind of experience. An agency that has been providing IT services to sales companies only might not be the best fit.
4. Do You Customize IT Services To Meet a Business Needs?
IT needs differ from one business to the other. An ideal IT solution provider ought to customize IT services to meet the needs of a company. You don’t want to partner with a provider who sells from a script!
Ask the managed service provider how they go about onsite assessment. You need to be confident that the IT company identifies potential technology gaps and has solutions to remediate them. The IT plans that they establish should further support and align with your business strategy.
While at it, some of the regulatory requirements that an IT company ought to understand include PCI, GLBA, and HIPPA. Besides addressing your unique business needs, the IT company should be compliance-based. You’ll rest easy knowing that you won’t face legal battles due to noncompliance.
5. Which Security Measures Have You Put in Place?
Did you know that cyber-attacks cost business $200,000 on average? Other than the benefits you stand to gain with the right IT services, your IT department is prone to attacks. A cyberattack can collapse your business in seconds!
It is essential to understand the security measure an IT provider has in place. Data security isn’t an optional credential for IT support; it is necessary. Work with a company that will create a data security plan that fits your needs.
You can ask IT providers, the security measures they have taken to protect your data. Does the team get relevant training to be updated on the trend? Hackers keep devising new strategies, which makes it necessary for an IT team to keep learning.
6. How Much Will the Plan Cost Me?
After collecting adequate information on the required service, request a quote. It is crucial to have a relative cost estimate. A rough price breakdown will guide you on the provider to choose from.
You might want to check different IT providers for a cost comparison. While you’d want to save some dollars, don’t settle on an IT company based solely on the low cost of services. The price should resonate with the value you get.
Getting the Right IT Provider Can Be Daunting
When looking for managed IT service providers, there are factors you ought to consider. Ask relevant questions to know more about an IT provider. The more you inquire, the more information you’ll get to guide you as you decide on the company to partner with.
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