01732 759725 28 Q&A Is the quality of your VoIP telephone calls letting you down? “POUVEZ-VOUS M’ENTENDRE?” Springer Spaniel [Canis lupus familiaris] TR: Are there more fundamental barriers to the wider use of automation? And, if so, what might they be? AS: Fear of change is a factor. Organisations have spent years refining their internal processes, getting them to be as efficient as possible, and despite the obvious benefits and increased efficiency of automation, businesses are sometimes reluctant to change their processes in case ...continued What to look for in a managed IT services provider q Availability and responsiveness Make sure the MSP is available throughout the day. A business’s IT environment needs to be in good health and operating efficiently at all times. Make sure they continuously monitor your IT infrastructure and respond in a timely fashion when issues do arise. w Future IT planning A good managed IT services provider helps plan for the future of an organisation’s technology. This can include yearly budget planning to look for ways to save money and enhance technology in the workplace. Look for an MSP that has the knowledge to help a company scale its IT assets as it grows. Efficient planning for tech and data disasters is another skill to look for. The University of Texas found that 94% of businesses that experience catastrophic data loss do not survive more than two years. MSPs should assist in creating a disaster recovery plan to make sure the client can stay in business, even after a data disaster. e Security skills Security is a top priority when searching for an MSP. An MSP can oversee backups by making sure they are performed correctly and checking them periodically to confirm all data has been backed up. A managed IT services provider should also help prevent, detect and quickly respond to cyberattacks. To help them in this security process, MSPs can either use an EDR vendor or recruit the help of a SOC or MSSP. r Tools and vendors Every MSP will use a different tool stack and many integrate with or utilise services provided by third-party vendors to increase their coverage of IT services. It’s important to know what they’ll be using to monitor and maintain your systems. The tools they use should meet the needs of your organisation. For example, you may need backups that are done offsite and remotely. Increasingly, many workplaces have employees who work across distributed environments. If that is the case in your organisation, it’s important that the IT set-up you choose is optimised for those needs. Other factors to take into account are the type of operating systems the MSP supports, the number of devices they will oversee, and their management style (remote or in-person). t Proactive monitoring and maintenance A good MSP continuously monitors device and system health within a client’s IT environment. They also apply updates promptly to ensure that mistakes or errors in software are not exploited by outsiders. y Past performance and expertise Find out what you can about an MSP’s experience and track record. If you know people who’ve used a specific MSP, ask them if they were satisfied with the partnership. You can also ask MSPs about their experience in managing IT infrastructures in industries similar to your own, and whether they’ve assisted businesses with disaster recovery. u Pricing One of the top benefits of managed IT services is predictable costs. Choose an MSP that provides the IT services you need at a price that fits your company’s budget. If the cost seems high, keep in mind that you are paying for proactive management with predictable prices rather than replacing things as they break.
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