More and more businesses are turning to outsourced IT providers to ensure that all their IT needs are met, efficiently as well as cost-effectively. While the managed service model can certainly be advantageous, it’s important to realize that not all outsourced IT providers are created equal. Before hiring a vendor to take over your IT needs, we recommend doing your due diligence, asking a few key questions to make sure you know what kind of service you’re selecting.
What Should You Ask Your Outsourced IT Provider?
Here are a few of those questions to keep in mind.
1) What services are included?
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised by how much variance there is in the services offered by different providers. You might assume that all basic IT services are encompassed, but what about disaster recovery? What about cybersecurity? And if you have any specific projects in mind, make sure the vendor you’re choosing can handle them with the least amount of employee disruption.
2) Are you required to provide specific products?
Some outsourced IT providers may be contractually bound to implement specific product lines, like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it’s good to have some clarity about the level of flexibility your outsourced IT provider can truly offer you.
3) Is there a helpdesk?
Most outsourced IT providers offer some sort of helpdesk, but again, you shouldn’t assume they’re all created equal. Ask whether the company can provide you with 24/7 emergency access, triaging your IT or cybersecurity needs to the right team of experts.
4) What happens if the entire infrastructure goes down?
Given the ever-present threat of cyberattacks, it’s wise to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Ask your outsourced IT provider what they could do to help you should your entire IT infrastructure go down, compromising your ability to do business as usual. Could they help you recover what was lost? Could they help you get back up and running quickly? What do they plan to do to reduce the likelihood of an attack?
5) How will you help me grow my business?
A talented outsourced IT provider will be a true partner, ready and willing to discuss ways in which the right IT strategy can promote the growth of your business. Don’t hesitate to talk with a potential provider about your short- and long-term business goals, and to ask them what role they can play in helping you achieve those goals more efficiently.
6) What separates you from other outsourced IT providers?
Again, it’s erroneous to think that all IT companies or outsourced IT providers are exactly the same. Before hiring someone, it’s worth asking them what makes them distinct. Why would you pick this one company over all the competition? If the provider can’t answer, that’s reason enough for you to keep looking elsewhere.
Ask Us Anything
Here at BlueArmor, we’re always happy to get into the weeds with potential clients, answering any questions they might have about our team, our services, and our overall approach. To discuss options for your technology needs in Charlotte, NC, reach out to BlueArmor at your convenience.