Managed IT support service providers play a vital role in all aspects of business operations. Organisations have developed new business models, services, and products built around cloud technology. They are distinguishing themselves by leveraging the operational intelligence extracted from the massive volume of data generated, stored and analysed through cloud technology.
Selecting an effective managed IT support service provider is a critical business decision that can determine whether an organisation succeeds or fails. Businesses must make sure their IT support service partner is fortified to navigate the complex and demanding regulatory and PCI compliance issues involved in working with client data.
Due to the complexity required to run a secure, compliant, and highly functional infrastructure, businesses must systematically evaluate and vet their managed IT support service provider to select a partner that best meets their needs. Below are four key characteristics to consider when selecting a managed IT support service provider.
- All-inclusive technology
The capability to offer an all-inclusive suite of technology solutions is the most vital characteristic for a managed small business IT support service provider. Businesses should ensure the IT support service provider they select has a broad set of solutions available to meet current needs. Also, this enables it to scale and grow as the business leverages cloud and virtual technology to develop new products and services.
A fully equipped managed IT service provider offers support for virtual infrastructures, storage, colocation, end user computing, application management capabilities and more. They can manage a service level agreement (SLA) starting at the application layer all the way up the technology stack. Since a business’ applications might operate on a single, uniform platform or multiple systems, it is key that a provider is able to accommodate a range of applications and systems in their IT support services.
- Customizability and best practices
A second consideration when selecting a managed IT support service provider is whether the partner is able to design, build, and maintain a customised solution based on best practices designed to meet a business’s unique goals and technology needs. Customisation begins at the design phase, and businesses should look for an IT support service provider with the expertise to modify each model based on individual business goals.
An IT support provider’s best practices should ensure seamless migration for customers by taking an existing physical machine infrastructure and virtualization. An effective IT service provider will have well-established onboarding capabilities that involve comprehensive support. To execute this transition effectively, a high-quality managed IT support service provider will have the necessary tool kits and implemented managed capabilities to ensure a seamless migration.
- Best troubleshooting capabilities
Businesses will want to select an IT support service provider with fast, responsive, and effective troubleshooting capabilities. The most effectively managed IT support service providers will be available to address problems around the clock and be swift to implement a fix and then solve the underlying issue.
- Security implemented through a robust infrastructure and operational fabric
An effective managed IT support service provider must have a sound, tested infrastructure and operational fabric that operates across geographies. To achieve a robust infrastructure, an IT support service provider must embed security into every aspect of their operations, implement proactive intrusion detection and have dedicated competency to maximize security. The team should continuously monitor threats, make sure the macro security infrastructure is being optimised both physically and virtually, and that each system is designed with redundancy at every level.
An IT support service provider with a wide-ranging portfolio of solutions can address apprehensions about safety and compliance. Different clients run different levels of alerts and threats at varying intervals. Subsequently, it is critical for an IT support provider to adapt to the client’s needs.
Managed IT support services allow businesses to effectively focus on their core competencies while deploying powerful cloud technology to drive business growth. For further queries on remote IT support and onsite IT support, get in touch with us on 1300 016 017.
