Can you trust your Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
In order for a business partnership to be successful, there must be several levels of trust. This is true in any industry, for any business transaction.
In the managed services industry, the issue of trust is paramount. Customers must trust that the services provided – whether network, security, cloud, IT infrastructure management or otherwise – will be reliable and high-performing. Companies also need to trust that the MSP implements the best solution to meet their unique needs. Additionally, if problems occur, the customer must be confident that the MSP will do what it takes to resolve problems quickly; better yet, predict potential problems and fix them before they severely impact the health of the network.
These days, there is no shortage of companies offering IT network services. As is the case in any industry, trust is earned. When choosing a managed services provider, a business should vet its options carefully. Before making a perceived “safer” solution because of the MSP’s brand name, companies should think twice and carefully evaluate their choices. Trust doesn’t come from having a brand name. Trust comes from knowing the MSP’s track record and deeply understanding its business model and what they can truly do and not do. Ask yourself… Do they have a track record of working with companies like mine? Do I have to settle with off-the-shelf solutions or can the MSP customize solutions for me? How flexible are the solutions – can I choose the best vendor, technology or even carrier on a location by location basis? Can I get end-to-end, single-point-of-contact support for my entire global, multivendor implementation? If I have an issue, will I be treated like a business partner or just another number in a long list of waiting callers? To help companies through this process, we’ve created a checklist for evaluating managed services that offers practical advice on how to select the right provider for your global needs.
