Congratulations! You’re starting a new business, growing an existing organization, or acquiring a competitor. Maybe you finally have the bandwidth to fuel your passion by starting a non-profit organization. All these transitions demand critical IT support. If you are located in the greater Chicago area and are considering using the services of an IT managed service provider (MSP), you should consider the following questions.
- What kind of organization are you? The IT needs of a manufacturing company, a non-profit organization, a service group, or an online retail business, for example, differ. Does this IT support group have experience and expertise in your line of work, with your industry, and with the size of your organization? Check references to see how well the MSP led their clients to helpful, state-of-the-art software products and network configurations that enhanced operations.
- How qualified are the MSP’s technicians? Do your homework. Ask for the certifications and licenses their employees hold. Confirm they have current partnerships with some of the major manufacturers such as Microsoft; if you rely on a particular software product, ensure the professionals can support that application. And, confirm they have expertise in the current cybersecurity tools.
- Do they offer multiple IT service options? You’re small now, but you expect your IT needs will grow. Choose an MSP who can help you not only architect the best network for your organization but also can address a variety of services such as management of mobile devices, VoIP phones, hosted cloud services, on-call support services, and more. Find an MSP willing to tailor its contract to your individual needs.
- Do they provide consulting services? If you are just getting started, you may need help setting up your IT infrastructure, designing secure and reliable backup processes, creating a disaster recovery plan, or helping you develop an IT strategy and budget for growth. Look for an experienced team who can offer professional consulting services.
- Are they readily available? You need an MSP who proactively monitors your network 24/7 every day of the year, responds quickly (ask for a guaranteed response time), and offers emergency on-site services. For this reason, find MSPs in the Chicago area, in close proximity to your business.
Don’t be afraid to contact the IT Support group’s current clients. They can offer insight into the problems the MSP handled for them, how quickly they responded, and how well they communicated.
With so many IT support services in the greater Chicago area, you can confidently answer some important questions and find the one that works best for you.
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