More business owners and managers realize that they’re not experts in information technology. They know the risks of doing everything themselves. They waste time, energy, and in the end, their networks are still vulnerable to attacks.
You don’t want to be caught in a similar situation. You can take a cue from the companies that are outsourcing IT services to save time, money, and improve productivity.
If that interests you, you’ll need to hire the right IT solutions provider for your business. Read on to discover what you should look for when selecting a service provider.
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1. Types of Services Offered
IT service providers have a broad range of services. Some offer a complete suite of services, which is called managed services. The IT service provider takes care of the vast majority of your IT needs.
Other service providers specialize in IT support, security, or repairs. There are reasons why companies are choosing managed IT as opposed to a singular service provider.
You should analyze the needs of your business and figure out what you want from a service provider.
2. Cost of Services
The cost of IT services vs what you can pay does play a role in your decision. If your budget is tight, you can prioritize the type of IT support your business needs and then scale up as your business grows.
Another option is to look at IT managed services as a tremendous value to your organization. IT services deliver tangible and intangible savings.
3. IT Experience
Some IT service companies outsource some functions to subcontractors. For example, an IT provider may provide support, but there’s a third-party that actually does the work.
You should ask if there are any services that they outsource and the experience level of the people who are actually doing the work.
4. Network Expertise
You do need to look deeper at an IT service provider’s experience than just how long they’ve been around. You want to make sure that they have the certifications to work on your network.
For example, if your network is largely cloud-based, you should have an IT service provider with an AWS or similar cloud certification. A service provider with an MCSE certification might not be the right fit.
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5. Approach to Security
How do they approach cybersecurity? That is the question that will set the top service providers apart from the others.
Not only is your business targeted by hackers, but a successful breach is also detrimental to your business. About 59% of buyers avoid companies that were hacked or breached in the last year.
The best service providers will offer additional support and training to prevent hack attacks. The State of Data Centres in India: Challenges and Opportunities
6. Testimonials and Case Studies
Ask prospective IT service providers for references and reviews, as well as case studies. If they’ve worked with other companies in the same industry as yours, you can ask more about the services they provided.
Be sure to ask about the results they bring their clients.
Finding the Best IT Solutions Provider
You know that IT is complex and time-consuming. There are a ton of benefits of outsourcing IT, but you have to find the right IT solutions provider for it to really work. 7 Reasons You Should Hire an IT Consulting Agency
This article armed you with the information you need to find the best provider for your business needs and your budget. Be sure to check out the Business section of this site for more business insights.