9 Questions You Should Ask a Potential MSP

Choosing a managed service provider is like choosing a new best friend!

It's all about finding that reliable confidante, a tech whisperer who understands your IT pains and dreams and is ready to jump into the digital trenches with you. But let's be real: tracking down that kind of camaraderie, especially when your day is back-to-back with tech crises, is like finding a needle in a haystack.?

So, how are you supposed to choose the right MSP??By asking the right questions, of course! To help you find your new tech BFF, here are nine killer questions you should be asking any potential MSP.

1. Do you follow industry standards and best practices?

A good MSP should be well-informed and proactive, able to answer questions confidently and even provide examples. They should assuredly discuss how they stay current with industry trends, handle sensitive information, and define their scope of work.

2. Are your technicians certified in the solutions and services you provide?

Certifications are like the secret handshakes of the tech world - they show that an MSP's team hasn't just dabbled in antivirus management or cloud wizardry; they've conquered them.?

Ask who they buddy up with for certain IT offerings and their partnership level. The higher the level, the more certifications your MSP will have, signaling a galaxy of expertise they can bring to the table.

3. Have you worked with clients in our industry and of similar business size?

A top-notch MSP should be practically bursting with excitement to show off their customer testimonials or case studies. Ask them to provide customer references so you can call and ask about their experience. Getting those references shouldn't be an issue, assuming they're truly rocking the client relationship game.

4. What are your normal business hours and your availability outside of those hours?

When you shoot an SOS to your buddy, knowing how fast they'll zoom to your rescue is important. Find out what hours the MSP is available and if they're on call 24/7 to handle those "uh-oh" moments! Be sure to ask about their response time during business and non-business hours.

5. Do you only provide remote services, or is onsite a different rate?

Not all MSPs offer in-person IT support as part of the deal. If they don't, ask if they can make it happen and what the price tag looks like. It's useful to know if a local MSP can come to your site for help or, if not, whether they can arrange for someone in your area to assist.

6. What qualifies as "out of scope" work, and what does it cost?

Any SLA should clearly define what's included in your managed IT services and what is out of scope. Make sure you're clued in on all the extra tasks that might pop up and how much that would cost you. To keep your business running smoothly (and your wallet happy), find a trusty MSP that can handle any curveball without munching away at your IT budget for the next quarter.

7. Do you properly document work so that you have accurate and complete records?

Communication is the secret ingredient to any good relationship, and keeping notes ensures everything is crystal clear, avoiding drama before it begins. Documentation keeps you aware of what work is happening and guarantees you maintain control over your environment with insight into how the MSP is accessing your information. Documentation also gives you the ability to trace problems back to the source.

8. Are you based in the United States or overseas?

Have you ever spent an eternity on hold just to find out you can't understand the person trying to help you? Talk about a stress spike! If you're worried about getting clear help, check if the MSP's help desk is based in North America. It's not a make-or-break, but definitely a nice-to-know.

9. The final question to ask yourself is: do you trust them?

Yes, business is business, and your MSP?might?not be your #1 BFF forever, but you can find and choose the right MSP who?is invested?in helping you and your business succeed. What is their mission? Are they people you want to work with??If?you don't feel confident about it, you might want to keep looking.

In your quest to find the perfect managed service provider, the questions you ask become your roadmap to ensure they're a partner who's not just equipped with technical know-how but also aligns with your company's values and vision.

So, take your time, ask the right questions, and soon enough, you'll find that tech?bestie?who's just the right fit for all the adventures ahead.

Looking for more? Our blog covers these nine questions and more: https://ccbtechnology.com/how-to-choose-the-right-msp-9-questions-you-should-ask/