Information Technology, or IT, has become the foundation of our digital world. Every business needs the latest technology in terms of tools, software, and workplace connectivity. While it is no secret that everything is based on some form of technology, not every emerging technology is available for free but at premium prices.
Introducing a new business application to your operations typically means investing capital in buying the software license, hiring the in-house IT support staff, and then providing employee training. This is where managed IT services come to the rescue in financial terms.
Whether it is cost savings, minimal business disruptions, or proactive defense against security threats, managed IT services are highly advantageous for different types of businesses. This is why nearly two-thirds of organizations use managed services for at least one IT function (Source: CompTIA study).
If you are now convinced about hiring a managed IT service provider, hold your horses for a few seconds.
It would be best if you had a clear idea of questions you should ask the IT service providers before hiring them for your business. Here, we will take you through some common questions that you can keep handy:
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What’s your prior experience with the requirements related to our industry?
While organizations in different industries primarily rely on the same or similar IT technology solutions, not every solution can be handled in the same way. For example, if you are in the construction industry and use accounting software suitable for your business, you would face IT issues that differ from the hospitality industry. To resolve them at the earliest and continue with your business operations, you would need an experienced IT support provider with an in-depth understanding of your business/industry.
Hence, it makes sense that the IT service provider you select should be familiar with the industry requirements and is capable of maintaining compliance with the related rules and regulations.
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How long have you been in the business of providing managed IT services?
In analogy, you may not want to take your vehicle to a mechanic if you know the car has some serious issues while the mechanic is relatively new to providing the service. Like you, many business owners would want to entrust the IT systems in your organization to a service provider who knows what works in which industry. All this knowledge and expertise comes from experience.
For instance, Your employees may be more accustomed to using cloud-hosted business applications like QuickBooks, Sage, or Lacerte to get the work done. In this case, look for an IT service provider with the required experience and skills to deal with the IT issues related to this software.
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What is the average response time for support?
At the core, the very reason for hiring an IT service provider is to get the ability to resolve various common IT issues efficiently and in less time. As a result, you can benefit from uninterrupted business operations.
To benefit from a quick resolution of common IT issues you face, you must ask the chosen service provider about their average response time to provide the necessary support. All the reliable managed IT service providers generally describe a reasonable response time in the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) shared with the clients.
Also, remember that there is a difference between guaranteeing a response and a solution. Depending on the issue, it may take more time to set things up again than expected.
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Can we expect both on-site and remote support from your IT services?
After the pandemic, many common IT support requests can be resolved remotely. This is why many organizations look for service providers that offer remote IT services at better pricing, irrespective of where they are located.
Still, specific issues require the on-premise presence of IT professionals. This is the reason it is advisable to pre-check if the selected service provider provides either onsite or offsite support. Then, you can make an informed decision by considering your specific business needs.
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What are the charges you ask for to provide IT services to a firm like ours?
Indeed, one of the most significant factors related to hiring a managed IT service provider is the service fee they charge. However, since pricing alone cannot be considered the ultimate measure of service quality, you should also view the number of satisfied clients (from your industry, if any), service quality parameters, and client reviews.
To hire a service provider for the long term, you must go the extra mile and perform the due diligence to find the most reliable IT service provider.
At Verito Technologies, we are dedicated to benefiting your business with improved uptime resulting from our managed IT services. We offer customizable IT services at competitive prices. So let’s connect further and discuss your business needs.
