Finding the right managed service provider can make a huge difference in your business' operations. Whether you’ve been in business for days or decades, as a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. If you’re operating without an IT department in-house and find yourself managing your own technology, then you might want to consider working with a managed service provider. With the right managed service solutions, you will have more time to spend doing what’s most important: managing your organization. With so many options for managed service providers out there, picking the right team can be a challenge. Your business deserves the best, so it’s crucial to make sure that your provider can bring the best service to the table. Keep reading to learn about what to look for in a managed service provider to guarantee a productive, effective relationship.

Industry Experience

It might seem obvious that you want to find a managed service provider with experience, but it’s equally important that you find a managed service provider with experience in your specific industry. For instance, if you’re the manager of a small store, you might want to think before handing the keys to your infrastructure over to a provider that has only worked with restaurants. Industry experience also guarantees that your managed service provider will be able to anticipate potential problems and challenges and work accordingly.

 It’s also important that your managed service provider demonstrates an active interest in wanting to learn more about your business, even if they have a plethora of experience working in your industry. By understanding your business in its entirety, a managed service provider can have an accurate reading of strategies that can help your business grow and succeed.

 Contract and Company Scope

If you’ve ever worked with a one-person department, you know how hectic things can get on a daily basis. It’s ideal that your managed service provider has a broad range of certified technicians who are all capable of working with your major technologies. For instance, if your organization has mostly Canon devices, it might be an issue if the only technician certified to work with Canon products is out of town.

Also, before you sign a contract, verify that your managed service provider has a comprehensive list that covers the entirety of your organization’s needs, from cloud computing to printers. Getting caught in a binding contract with a provider that can’t meet your needs is a hassle.

On-Site Support

Before you choose a managed service provider, check out their location and availability. Do they handle all of their services in-house or do they outsource? Make sure you choose a provider that can be available for onsite support and maintenance. Using a local provider would a huge advantage to your business to ensure you’re getting the best, most reliable service.

If they don’t outsource, but they meet all of your other needs, ask about their staffing levels to make sure that they have a large enough team to manage your business needs.

Availability

While your organization might not be running 24/7, your organization’s network is and so should your provider. For this reason, your managed service provider should be available to you at any time. Also, it’s important that your provider has a guaranteed response time.

Billing Structure

The way a managed service provider bills its clients can say a lot about their integrity. Look for a provider that charges a flat rate for certain services as opposed to an hourly rate.

One of the most important goals that every managed service provider strives to meet is finding ways for clients to save money and boost their efficiency. So, a good managed service provider will take the time to sit with you and discuss your needs and financial requirements at length. Make sure that they are goal-oriented and have your best interests in mind.

Partnerships

Another great benefit of working with a managed service provider is that they can manage technology and software vendors on your behalf, so you won’t have to waste time hunting down several vendors for technical support. Ask your provider which vendors they partner with and make sure they have enough experience with the tools and tech you work with.

 Good References

If you wouldn’t eat at a restaurant with bad reviews and wouldn’t pay for a movie that’s abhorred by critics, then why work with a managed service provider without good references? Checking out a provider’s references is the best way to review their industry expertise and customer service skills. Ask your provider for references before signing a contract.

Longevity

If you’re making plans for your organization to grow and expand, it’s important that your managed service provider is capable of growing and expanding with you. You want to work with a provider who can work with you throughout the lifespan of your organization. Verify your managed service provider’s history by checking references on social media, looking up press releases, and researching the company.

Flexible Terms

As the old saying goes, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’. You might think you want one particular set of services from your managed service provider and then change your mind later on as your business needs change. Make sure you choose a provider that will allow you to change your service needs without too much of a penalty. Getting trapped in a contract without flexible terms can be a nightmare.

Innovation

The key to being a successful business is the ability to change and adapt to the times. Having the latest services and technology will keep you from falling behind and will give you a nice edge ahead of your competition. A good managed service provider will stay on top of the latest industry standards and technologies and will ensure that your company remains up-to-date on all of it.

Your organization can gain a lot from working with the right managed service provider. With your operational needs in the capable hands of experts, you will have more time to focus on helping your business meet its highest potential. Even though investing in managed services will add an expense to your business, the overall cost is outweighed by the benefits. After finding the right provider and constructing the best plan for managing your assets, your organization will be able to grow and prosper without downtime and service issues holding you back.

Interested in learning more about what managed print services can do for your organization? Advanced Business Systems is a full-service managed print provider with decades of experience. From initial planning and installation, to regular monitoring and optimization, we’re here for our clients at every step and milestone. Reach out to us today and learn more about how our services and our team of hardworking representatives and technicians can help your organization advance!