How to Find the Best Managed IT Services Company For Your Business
Managed IT services are ongoing support services performed by business information technology specialists for a fixed fee. Given the consistent advancements in technology for modern businesses, more and more organizations are choosing managed IT services to handle their tech requirements. If you’re interested in comprehensive support for all your IT needs, keep reading to learn how to find the best managed IT services company to help your business.
1. Consider Your IT Requirements
First things first, it’s important to reflect on your existing IT setup to help determine what your top priorities are. For new businesses starting fresh, it’s best to find a managed IT services company that’s happy to walk you through the entire process of designing and implementing IT solutions. The same goes for established businesses, who deserve tailored support throughout the switch to a new IT provider.
Regardless of what stage your business is at, keep these things in mind when evaluating your IT requirements:
- Size and location of the workforce (in-office, remote, hybrid, etc.)
- Reliance on computers and applications (which systems will you use the most)
- Data storage and collaboration (what type of data will you need to store and who has access)
- Security risks (highly classified data, third parties, etc.)
If you don’t have a full understanding of all your IT requirements yet, that’s no problem. The best managed IT services company will walk you through all the key tech and cybersecurity considerations to get a better idea of where you’re at and how they can help.
2. Evaluate Technical Expertise
After reviewing your IT requirements, it’s important to look at an IT service provider’s expertise and available offerings. Someone new to the IT business with limited resources may seem cheaper at the start, but ultimately, you can save time and money while enjoying greater peace of mind with a more seasoned professional.
Do your research on the background of a managed IT services company to learn about the different services they offer and what kind of businesses they work with. Ideally, you should find an IT company that provides planning, design, implementation, management and maintenance support, depending on your needs.
3. Ask About Industry Experience
Technical expertise and industry experience go hand in hand. Look for the number of years a managed IT services company has been in business, and check out client testimonials to get a better idea of what they bring to the table. The more industry experience an IT provider has, the better, and awards and accolades also speak to their abilities.
During your initial meeting with a managed IT services company, you should get a feel for their competence. Do they seem confident in IT subjects? Are they able to answer your questions and explain IT in a way that’s easy for you to understand? These qualities will help achieve a positive, productive relationship with a tech support provider.
4. Look for Responsiveness
Remember, IT problems can slow your business down and end up costing you money. That’s why responsiveness is so important. What’s your first impression of the prospective managed IT services company? Look for an up-to-date website and easy contact options. You want an IT provider to get back to you quickly to discuss your needs and how they can assist. If you’re waiting for days or even weeks on end just to get a callback, imagine how slow they may be to actually address tech problems.
Don’t be afraid to ask about turnaround times and what you can expect for IT infrastructure installation, transition and maintenance. The right managed IT services company will be upfront and keep you informed so you can maximize efficiency and keep your team as productive as possible.
5. Explore Different Offerings
Finally, to find the best managed IT services company for your business, you need to look at their available services and how such offerings align with your goals. Not all companies provide a full suite of services, so it’s worth comparing areas of expertise and prices, too. That being said, it pays to partner with a managed IT services company that’s collaborative and innovative. You want a tech provider who is at the forefront of the latest trends and ready to implement new software and systems to increase effectiveness and productivity.
Below are a few of the top services successful businesses can take advantage of with a trusted managed IT services company.
Network Management
Comprehensive network management frees up business resources while ensuring industry experts administer and manage computer networks to the best of their abilities. To uphold a high quality of service, it’s best to have professionals work their magic on network provisioning, performance management, fault analysis and other essential tasks to maintain a strong IT network.
Cloud Services
Working on the cloud gives businesses greater flexibility than ever before, but it also comes with key considerations for implementing and protecting such powerful resources. Inquire about cloud services and how the best managed IT services company can help leverage the latest advancements in cloud connectivity and storage without purchasing physical hardware and software.
Cybersecurity
Hiring the right cybersecurity managed IT services company can substantially bolster your business defenses against brazen cyber criminals and devastating attacks. Today’s corporate cybersecurity solutions are all about securing end-users from potential threats, unauthorized access, malware distribution and malicious cyberattacks that can damage a company’s reputation and lead to costly consequences.
Why Choose Red River as Your Managed IT Services Company
If you’re ready to move forward with a new managed IT services company, Red River ticks all the boxes. As a leading cybersecurity and IT provider based in Virginia outside of DC, we serve clients all across the country with custom solutions through consulting, managed and lifecycle services. We have 25 years of experience in reliable, robust IT systems and we are here to help transform your business so you can operate at maximum efficiency.
Explore our range of managed services and contact us to get started with a top-performing managed IT services company you can trust.
