Even as businesses go completely digital, the quality of IT services providers has plummeted. In a misguided attempt to save money, some businesses are unable to see the utility of accurately-priced IT options. They opt for lower tier, “break-fix” firms to keep their network afloat. Instead of paying monthly fees for managed services, they call up IT professionals to pay them by the hour.
This strategy certainly saves money but opens your business up to all kinds of technological disasters in the long haul. These disasters range from vicious cyber-attacks to total server failures. This can cause you to lose thousands of dollars of essential data. Break-fix technicians only get paid when something in your system breaks. They have no incentive to be proactive with your network. Nor do they worry to detect potential concerns before they become a full-blown crisis. What’s more, they’re unfamiliar with your network and running in the midst of a crisis. Over time, this approach of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” will end up costing much more.
When shopping for the best MSP, remember how much you depend on your technology to stay competitive. Here are three standards you absolutely need to demand from your IT professionals before disaster strikes.
IT professionals should Constantly Monitor Your Network
The best-managed service providers aren’t reactive, they’re preventative. They keep an eye on your network 24/7, ensuring nothing goes amiss. By gaining intimate knowledge, they can see any inconsistencies or holes in your security. If a problem arises, they are there to fix it immediately. Usually, before the business owner even realizes there’s a problem.
Rapid Response Times from IT professionals
Since your MSP is regularly monitoring your system, they’re ready in the event that any potential catastrophe might rear its ugly head, taking a proactive stance before it hits your bottom line. You don’t have to wait on hold to find out when the next technician may be available. When something happens, the MSP is immediately on it. Also, since they know your network, they can iron out any hiccups in record time.
A Real Investment In Your Success
Since MSPs depend on your business's success, you can bet they'll keep your network running smoothly. It’s in the MSP’s personal interest to establish a flawless, efficient system that's easy to work with. Over time, the MSP will implement repeatable processes to fix issues before your customers feel their effects. Because if the customers experience the problem, the MSP will, too. Unlike break-fix technicians who depend on outages to get paid, MSPs will work with you to build a system. This means your system will integrate seamlessly with your day-to-day activities and rarely suffer any issues at all.
Partnering with an MSP may cost more, but you’ll experience the massive benefits of a team of IT professionals. In the long run, the peace of mind and the sheer volume of crises you avoid with an MSP will far outweigh the cost.