In today’s world, IT departments increasingly turn to managed services to trim costs and transform operations.
According to Intelligent Technical Solutions, managed services deployment is estimated to reduce IT costs by 25-45% and boost operational efficiency by 45-65%. 25% of organizations report that downtime costs average between $301,000 and $400,000 per hour.
Whether it's redefining operational costs, gaining a firmer grip on infrastructure costs, bridging staffing voids, or even undergoing a complete transformation, IT-managed service providers lend the expertise and manpower IT departments need on their side.
Managed services provide IT departments with a substantial return on investment by offering flexible costs, specialized expertise, and strategic support. This approach helps manage expenses and compliance and fast-tracks the adoption of new technologies, enabling IT to lead in innovation.
In this article, we'll explore nine critical questions to ask when selecting a managed service provider:
When assessing a managed service provider, it's important to determine the types of skills and experience they possess. This involves:
A competent provider will demonstrate the capability to manage change efficiently and offer strategic advice to enhance your operations. Moreover, they should have a strong grasp of industry trends to ensure your organization remains competitive. It is vital to inquire about their approach as trusted advisors and their ongoing commitment to professional development to maintain a cutting-edge service.
A good IT-managed service provider will prioritize your business goals and needs, actively listen to them, and adapt their services accordingly. They should demonstrate flexibility in customizing solutions to integrate seamlessly with your operations and maintain open lines of communication to address any concerns promptly.
Additionally, pricing and cost transparency are important to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
By thoroughly evaluating these factors, you can select a reliable and competent managed service provider to effectively support your IT operations and contribute to your business success. With references and pricing transparency, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your organization's needs and goals.
Trust your instincts and choose a provider who fits your company's culture and values well. You can achieve improved efficiency, enhanced security, reduced downtime, and overall business growth with the right managed service partner.
Hybrid IT environments combine on-premises infrastructure with cloud-based resources, offering enhanced flexibility and scalability.
When evaluating whether a managed service provider can effectively handle such environments, examine their adaptability across various platforms and adeptness at integrating diverse systems.
A broad portfolio of managed services allows the provider to cater to diverse business needs. This versatility allows you to consolidate different services under one provider, which can improve coordination and reduce management complexity – often leading to better synchronization of processes and systems and future scalability.
Additionally, bundling services can result in more consistent support, with a single point of contact and unified reporting.
IT management service providers with a broad portfolio are more likely to offer innovative solutions and proactively suggest enhancements that align with evolving technological trends, helping your organization remain competitive.
A managed service provider will have access to your business’s core hardware, staff data, and technology – so understanding their security protocols is essential. When choosing a provider, evaluate these key areas:
The only constant in the IT industry is change. Yesterday’s cloud-first model is today’s data analytics trend.
The managed service provider you choose should invest in ongoing training and new technology to stay relevant.
A financially stable provider is more likely to invest in personnel, technology innovations, and infrastructure upgrades, which are critical for meeting your changing IT requirements.
To evaluate a provider's financial viability, investigate the following:
Positive evaluations from reputable industry analysts and reports suggesting sustainable growth indicate a strong foundation. This research and understanding of customer reputation will paint a clearer picture of the provider's ability to serve as your organization's trustworthy and capable long-term partner.
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Network Access Availability: 99.9% connectivity, with credits offered for any shortfall. Power Availability: 99.9% AC power is available in clients' leased space, and a credit system is in place for non-compliance. System Availability: The objective is 99.9% service availability, including all servers under the agreement. Incident Management & Resolution: FNTS has a structured incident management process to ensure rapid resolution. Priority levels from 1 to 4 dictate the response time, ranging from 1 hour for critical incidents to 120 business hours for low-priority issues, ensuring a 24/7/365 support availability. |
Tying payment to performance through SLAs is an effective risk mitigation strategy that aligns both parties' interests in a service contract. The managed service provider is incentivized to meet or exceed the agreed-upon standards by establishing clear, quantifiable performance metrics.
These metrics should reflect critical aspects of service delivery, such as:
If the provider fails to achieve these targets, you, as the client, can seek compensation, including financial penalties or credits toward future services.
This approach ensures that managed IT service providers are held accountable and motivates them to improve service delivery continuously.
A flexible provider will take the time to learn about your business environment, industry nuances, and strategic goals. They should also be willing to customize their service delivery models and solutions to integrate with your existing systems and processes seamlessly.
This might involve:
A customer-centric provider should demonstrate a proactive approach, offering innovative solutions that anticipate future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities specific to your industry.
By doing so, they ensure that their services enhance your productivity, reliability, and stability rather than imposing rigid frameworks that may not be suitable.
Managed services are a strategic imperative. By partnering with the right managed service provider, IT departments gain cost efficiencies, specialized expertise, and a strategic ally in innovation and growth.
FNTS has provided hosted and remote managed services since 1996 through its state-of-the-art data center, which has 99.99% availability, hardworking technical staff, and customer-driven, customized solutions.
To learn more about FNTS and how nearly 30 years of experience and numerous vendor partnerships can help your organization make the most of your IT systems, visit FNTS.com.