Choosing a managed IT provider is a significant decision that will impact your business for years. Here is what to look for and the questions to ask.
Experience and Expertise
Look for providers with:
- Experience in your industry
- Relevant certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, etc.)
- Proven track record with similar-sized businesses
- Knowledge of compliance requirements affecting your industry
Service Offerings
Ensure the provider offers comprehensive services:
- 24/7 monitoring and support
- Cybersecurity services
- Cloud services and migration
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Strategic IT planning
Response Time and Support
Ask about their service level agreements:
- What are guaranteed response times?
- How do they prioritize issues?
- Do they offer local, on-site support?
- What are their support hours?
Pricing and Contracts
Understand the financial commitment:
- Is pricing fixed or variable?
- What is included vs. extra?
- What are the contract terms?
- How do they handle scope changes?
Red Flags to Avoid
Be cautious of providers who:
- Cannot provide references from similar businesses
- Offer significantly lower prices than competitors
- Do not discuss security as a priority
- Have vague or unclear contracts
- Lack local presence for on-site support
The right IT partner should feel like an extension of your team, genuinely invested in your success.