Find the Right Provider With These 5 Questions to Ask Your MSP

These days, we really just want an IT provider that you can trust to do what they say they will. To be even more honest, you might want a team you can meet with quarterly and then leave be until the next meeting, knowing that your IT stuff is good to go in between. We're passionate about making your experience as easy as possible, so we've compiled some of our major pillars that we follow for success. Those pillars include going beyond a break fix, a diverse team of certified IT gurus, proactive solutions, and rigorous cybersecurity standards. Make sure to check that your current providers are following these guidelines as well. Let's dig in. 

Featured in this article: 

1. 5 Tips for Choosing an MSP to Boost Your Business
2. Tip #1: Going Beyond "Break/Fix" Mentality
3. Tip #2: Rigorous Cybersecurity Compliance and Expertise
4. Tip #3: Certified and Knowledgeable IT Support (with Documentation to Prove It!)
5. Tip #4: Proactive Problem Solving Teams
6. Tip #5: Customer Success Teams to Ensure Your Success
7. What Should You Do Next? 

tips for choosing a Msp that will boost your business

There is an abundance of MSPs to choose from, but providers are far from the same. Many adhere to different standards and practices, resulting in a different quality or level of attention within their service. Some seek to simply help businesses resolve IT issues as they arrive while others also deliver recommendations for improvement. A select few aim to minimize issues in the first place and accelerate operations through innovation.

Below are 5 things businesses should consider to choose an MSP from the latter category, that will help with greater efficiency while ensuring less risk across the board.

1. Does the MSP go beyond “break/fix” when a problem strikes?

Technical issues are inevitable, which is why organizations rely on MSPs. However, while many providers focus solely on quick fixes, innovative MSPs go further by analyzing root causes and implementing proactive solutions to prevent future problems.

Things to consider:

• Technical issues occur because systems are complex and prone to failure. You need a team who understands those ins and outs.
• Businesses choose providers to handle those inevitable tech problems but also for cost efficiency, security (see #2), and proactive monitoring. 
• Many MSPs focus on resolving issues quickly without deeper understanding of why the issue happened. This is because many providers fail to assess whether tools or practices could prevent future issues.
• An innovative MSPs designs alternative tools or practices to mitigate risks and implement solutions that prevent recurring technical problems.
  
  

2. Does the MSP have rigorous cybersecurity standards and expertise?   

With cyber breaches always on the rise (thanks, AI), businesses are right to question whether their MSP strengthens security or adds risk. MSPs that meet rigorous SOC 2 Type 2 standards demonstrate a commitment to data protection, enabling organizations to operate confidently and pursue innovation.

Things to consider:

• As threats evolve due to rise in AI and new software, businesses are questioning whether MSPs will enhance security or increase risk. Unfortunately, constant breaches affect organizations of all sizes, creating uncertainty.
• To provide compliant and MSPs must adhere to SOC 2 Type 2 audit standards. SOC 2 Type 2 audit assesses businesses in five areas: processing integrity, privacy, confidentiality, availability, and security. Passing SOC 2 Type 2 audit requires strict internal practices and documentation.
• A quality MSP will prioritize IT security and data protection to meet compliance standards. Proper IT security measures provide businesses and MSPs confidence and freedom. The resulting confidence enables businesses to take risks for innovation, knowing it's without disruption.
  
  

3. Does the MSP have a diverse team of certified experts? 

To ensure business continuity and resilience, MSPs must respond swiftly and effectively to technical challenges. The most innovative providers achieve this through certified expertise, efficient recovery processes, and continuous employee training that empowers businesses to grow and scale with confidence.

Thing to Consider:

• Certified consultants keep businesses moving in any circumstance and continuous training ensures employees stay updated on best practices in your industry.
• Well informed and expert providers stay on top of current trends (especially with cybersecurity), and will in turn help customers utilize technology for growth, scalability, and speed.
• Quality IT providers are equipped with expertise to respond confidently under pressure and addressing your needs quickly. According to an IDC study, IT teams with certified members complete projects 25% faster and have significantly greater success.
• Because knowledgeable IT experts understand nuances and common pitfalls in different situations, they have the competitive edge to provide you better and more efficient solutions. 
• Innovative service providers ensure consultants are highly certified in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and incident management. MSPs prepared for innovation monitor and evolve employee training continuously.

4. Does the MSP try to solve problems before they become problems? 

Low performing IT providers are concerned about solving problems as they come, but trusted IT partners will seek to understand a business’s IT environment from day 1, proactively looking for areas that could be optimized for efficiency or security.

Good providers (ahem, like Centre) conduct an IT assessment during onboarding to understand  your current usage of technology, business needs, and exposed risks. They will then deliver training and detailed recommendations to ensure minimal technical downtime and dangers they may face in the future. 

5. Does the MSP have a customer success or innovation team?

One of the biggest differentiators among MSPs is the level of personalized attention they provide. Providers with dedicated customer success teams and innovative strategies help businesses optimize technology, improve efficiency, and uncover opportunities for growth.

Things to Consider:

• MSPs differentiate themselves by the level of personalized attention they provide. It is this that you should most pay attention to. 
• Great providers seek to understand customers’ needs and goals thoroughly and provide optimized technology usage based on customer objectives.
• Top performing businesses need MSPs with a dedicated and innovative team. The best IT providers will include a customer success team to deliver customized strategies and solutions for efficiency, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
• And as the landscape changes, good providers will invest in AI to make customer experience smoother. 
  
  

What to do next

You might be either really concerned about your current IT provider, or realizing just how much your need a good MSP. Either way, if you need help, we want to be your first call.

Contact us to learn more about their mission to provide enterprise-grade managed solutions and services with a local and personal experience.