January is the perfect time for businesses to reflect on the past 12 months and set resolutions for the new year. As you look back at your company's accomplishments and growth, you should also reevaluate your critical business suppliers and partners, including your managed IT services provider (MSP). Are they still worth keeping or are they hindering your company’s growth?
Here are six common signs you need a new MSP.
1. Your software programs are not up to date
IT networks require regular maintenance and updates to stay secure. If you’re using outdated software, cybercriminals could exploit these programs’ known vulnerabilities to breach your systems. That's why your MSP should always ensure that all your software solutions are up to date and running smoothly. If they fail to do so, then it’s time to switch providers.
2. You keep experiencing the same IT issues
A reliable MSP uses top-notch monitoring systems to identify and address IT issues before these can disrupt your operations. They make sure to fix the root causes of IT problems and log all incidents into a database to prevent similar issues from happening again.
So if problems such as server crashes or failed backups keep recurring, then you need to reassess your MSP. They may be providing only band-aid solutions and/or failing to properly track IT problems.
3. You're not happy with the level of service you're receiving
MSPs typically classify customer support requests based on severity and impact. Regardless of the priority level of your IT support request, you ought to at least get a confirmation receipt for your ticket. And if your MSP cannot resolve an issue immediately, they should still inform you of their target resolution time.
Communication is crucial since it shows your MSP’s level of dedication to your business. So if you need to follow up on your ticket's status before hearing from your MSP, then it's time to look for another provider that responds faster and gives frequent updates.
4. Your MSP isn’t transparent about their costing
A good MSP should clearly explain all the services they're offering your business and how these benefit your company. They must also detail what’s included in your contract and what services require additional costs.
So if you keep seeing unexpected charges on your MSP’s invoices, then it's time to look for an IT partner like Safebit that offers managed IT services for a fixed monthly subscription rate.
5. Your MSP is constantly upselling you
A top-notch MSP will take the time to become familiar with your business so they can identify which IT solutions and services best suit your company's needs. They will present relevant data to support their IT recommendations and explain how such IT investments will pay off.
So if your current MSP keeps pushing IT products and services without a solid basis, chances are they only want more money out of you.
6. Your MSP can’t keep up with your company’s evolving IT needs
Over time, your business's IT needs change. A good MSP will be proactive in anticipating and meeting those needs. They will be able to scale up or down their services along with you so they can effectively support your current systems and evolving demands. Moreover, they will also keep an eye out for new trends and technologies that can make your operations more efficient and drive business growth.
If your current MSP cannot fulfill all of those expectations, then you need to consider switching to a provider that can.
Experiencing any of these six signs? Don't wait until things get even worse — start looking around for a reliable MSP like Safebit . We’ve been helping businesses in Houston, Texas with their IT needs since 1997, and we can do the same for you. Get in touch with us today.
