The current technology landscape is expansive, constantly evolving, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the trends and innovations that are happening. Less than 20 years ago, people were hesitant to adopt cell phones, and now they have become apart of the fabric of our everyday lives. A technology like that makes sense for business, enabling people to be mobile and not requiring them to be attached to a landline or desk. That was 20 years ago, but what do you do with all the technologies that are available today? You need a partner. A Managed Service Provider is a good place to start. Wincourse, as a MSP, is a top Charlotte IT Services provider.
It would be overwhelming to take that journey alone. But companies like Wincourse exist to help bear some of that load. Managed Service Providers specialize in aggregating technologies to drive initiatives at a business, whether they come from IT or leadership. Not all MSP’s are created equal, some will pigeon-hole you into certain technologies that might address a handful of your needs. We are transparent here at Wincourse and want to equip you with the tools to be successful. So, what should you be asking and considering when exploring an MSP?
- What are your needs? And be open to new technologies
Having an idea of what you are looking for feels like an obvious place to start, but dig in a little, understand what you are trying to accomplish with the technology. With the array of technologies that exist today, some might only address a few of your needs, some might address all your needs, but your CFO might faint when they see the price tag. A lot of people wish technology were a little simpler, but have the expectation that this will be a journey. Come in with some ideas on how you would like a solution to work but allow your expectations to change as you discover new technologies and the impacts they could have on your business.
- What is your budget? Not to limit your capability, but to know where to give and take, and unlock the true value of technology
The great equalizer in business. Nobody gets excited when they hear the word budget, but shudder a little less when it comes to IT. And if you are working with an MSP, don’t shudder at all – but rather, get excited as you are in the best situation. Like we mentioned before, have an expectation, but recognize technologies and their price tag are going to change based on what you are trying to accomplish from a business perspective. The beauty of working with an MSP in this regard, is that many vendors have special programs to make their pricing model more cost-effective. And, most of them require you to be working with a partner MSP like Wincourse to gain access to those programs. And trust us, some of those differences are significant!
- How will you measure success? Test the waters, set clear expectations
This might be a topic you discuss once you have started on your journey and have a better idea of the technologies you want to pursue but always keep your business goals and objectives in mind. Make sure to communicate with your MSP the level of commitment you expect from the relationship. Having services offline for 2 weeks is significantly worse than having something down for 2 hours. Most MSP’s can offer some sort of trial before you buy, communicate with them during that process, and gauge what it will be like to work with them in the future.
- What’s the longevity of the MSP? What’s their scale? And what do their customers say about them?
Technically that’s 3 questions, but all very important considerations when making the investment into an MSP. If you trust an MSP like Wincourse, a Charlotte IT Services Provider, we are becoming involved with some strategic direction for your company in some ways. Whichever MSP you choose should not take that responsibility lightly. Make sure you look at an MSP that has history of evolving with the technology and is still thriving. Have they mastered the technologies that your business requires, while including new and cutting-edge solutions? Read reviews online, see what other customers are saying about their level of service. You can probably expect the same.
When you are looking at an MSP, make sure you take a good look at yourself first and know what you want to accomplish because that is critically important. Then do your due diligence because a lot of MSPs look very similar. Observe what do they do to go over and beyond to win your business. Here at Wincourse, a Charlotte IT Services provider, it’s enthusiasm and transparency in what we do that set us apart. And whether you are starting out, or evaluating your current MSP, we hope we can help you succeed wherever your business is at in its own journey. If you have any questions, reach out to the top Charlotte IT services provider.