The world of managed IT services comes with all kinds of complexity. It’s tough to figure out if you’re really working with the best provider—or if your provider is actually making life harder for you.
So what do the best MSPs (managed service providers) look like?
What sets them apart?
Look for these 7 signs of excellence. If you’re not getting these from your MSP, we should talk!
1. Your provider is easy to work with
Unfortunately, the IT services industry hasn’t earned a great reputation. Some providers make it hard to work with them. This may not be intentional, but it’s often the result of business models that are structured around the MSP’s operations and preferences—rather than the customer’s needs.
MSPs who are hard to work with show their true colors in multiple ways.
- Technicians are often inexperienced and located overseas.
- They don’t pick up the phone when you call (or you wish they didn’t pick up).
- Their favorite response is, “Everything looks good on my end—must be a problem on your end.”
- Everything is out of scope.
This isn’t a great experience for customers. Managed IT services should be better!
In contrast, the best providers show their true colors like this.
- Their technicians are experienced and easy to work with.
- They’re highly available.
- They don’t pass the buck.
- They have a broad definition of what’s “in scope,” and they go the extra mile to help.
That last point is important. It gets down to the MSP’s pricing model. Let’s dig into that.
2. Your provider offers true all-inclusive pricing
It’s common for managed IT service providers to advertise “all-inclusive” pricing. They promise unlimited service, no unexpected bills, and so on.
However, when you read the fine print, you see that what’s “in scope” is actually pretty limited. When your needs fluctuate beyond the narrow scope in your contract, you’ll generate additional bills.
This makes it hard to predict the cost of managed IT services.
In contrast, the best providers offer true all-inclusive pricing. You can literally count on your recurring monthly cost to stay the same. This makes it much easier to budget for your IT needs.
How big is the difference?
Check out our FREE Managed IT Services Pricing Calculator for all the details.
3. Your provider has great people with deep expertise
What makes an MSP great to work with?
Ultimately, it all comes down to their people—and their culture.
Does their team have a “can-do” attitude? Do they jump on service requests? Are they proactive, truly managing your IT environment? Not every provider offers this level of excellence.
Of course, soft skills are essential, but so are technical skills. Unfortunately, not every MSP is discriminating in their hiring practices. The best providers offer top-tier managed services by hiring professionals who have great people skills in addition to significant experience and knowledge.
When you look for a managed IT service provider, look for both qualities in their team:
- Superior soft skills
- Superior technical skills
4. Your provider includes data security in their managed services
Not ever provider handles cybersecurity in addition to IT services.
But these days, the two disciplines have completely converged. Every IT responsibility is also a cybersecurity responsibility.
Some MSPs attempt to deal with this fact by selling managed cybersecurity alongside IT services. That sounds great, but when you read the fine print, they actually outsource cybersecurity to a third party.
Outsourcing cybersecurity is not great.
You want a single, integrated team working on your systems. You want IT experts collaborating day-in, day-out with cybersecurity experts, managing and securing your systems proactively.
This is why the best providers offer one comprehensive team who manages IT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. You get a one-stop shop for all your needs—and that means peace of mind.
But not all providers can cover all your needs. What about EDI and data integration?
5. Your provider offers managed services for EDI and data integration
It’s actually quite rare to find an MSP who manages data integration and EDI alongside traditional IT services. Most providers split along these lines. A company will specialize in EDI and data integration, or IT and cybersecurity—but not all of the above.
Here at Corsica, our team handles data integration and EDI in addition to managed IT services and cybersecurity. We’re one of the only providers to offer this comprehensive service catalog—and it’s a huge benefit to our clients.
Our goal here is to provide simple, predictable monthly pricing while reducing the number of vendors you have to work with. Ultimately, we want to take care of your technology headaches—so your team can focus on their core responsibilities. That can mean working alongside your IT team or managing everything from top to bottom, depending on your needs.
6. Your provider offers a cybersecurity service guarantee
Have you ever had a catastrophic cybersecurity incident?
Let’s hope not. But they’re becoming more common, and cyber criminals are always looking for new targets. No organization is safe.
Rather than planning not to have a breach, you should plan to have one.
Assume it will happen. And put structures, processes, systems, and people in place to bounce back quickly.
Backup and recovery services are a key component here—but they’re not the only thing we recommend. It’s also helpful to get a cybersecurity service guarantee from your managed IT service provider.
What does this mean?
This type of guarantee ensures that your provider will cover the cost of their managed services, with limitations, to deal with a devastating cybersecurity incident.
These guarantees are actually pretty rare in the industry. Read more about ours here: Corsica’s Cybersecurity Service Guarantee.
7. Your provider offers comprehensive, flexible managed IT services
Here’s where most MSPs may appear to be similar on paper. Comprehensive providers are a dime a dozen, and they seem to offer similar services.
This is where you really want to read the fine print. Not all companies are created equal. Some providers offer far more robust managed IT services than others.
Here’s everything you should look for.
1. Managed network services
These services typically include management of network devices like firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and so on. Your MSP should also handle 24/7/365 monitoring, troubleshooting, and remediation for all devices on the network—in addition to preventative maintenance and capacity planning.
2. Managed server services
Your provider should handle servers in addition to employee workstations. They should regularly review, plan, and update the firmware on all servers so every device is running the latest stable code.
3. Cloud managed data center services
A cloud data center is no different from on-premises when it comes to maintenance. Both need to be managed, and you need a service provider who excels at cloud systems. Check out our in-depth guide for all the details: Cloud Managed Data Center Services.
4. Backup monitoring and remediation
How are you going to get essential data back when the unthinkable happens? A good MSP should work with you to establish your goals for backup monitoring and remediation. Also consider how fast your MSP can restore essential systems—and be sure to ask tough questions.
5. Managed Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
Microsoft 365 requires optimization on a regular basis, including synchronization with Active Directory. Keeping up with new and obsolete users ensures that all permissions are set up appropriately—and that hackers can’t take advantage of inactive accounts.
6. Managed workstations and end user services
A good MSP provide managed end user support services, also known as helpdesk services or managed workstation services. MSPs often use specialized software to access computers remotely, which makes it easy for them to address desktop issues. If your MSP is local to your area, they may also be available for onsite help.
7. vCIO consulting and 3-year technology roadmap
The best managed IT services providers will help you create a three-year technology roadmap. Here at Corsica Technologies, our vCIOs (virtual CIOs) consult with you to plan out any technology investments that may be required to meet your strategic long-term goals.
8. Managed cyber security services
Not every MSP offers managed cyber security services. Yet IT and cybersecurity are so deeply connected, you should seek out an MSP who truly handles both. That’s our model here at Corsica Technologies. We are both an MSP (managed IT services provider) and an MSSP (managed cybersecurity services provider).
9. vCISO consulting
A vCISO (virtual chief information security officer) is a critical resource for companies that lack a seasoned, C-level executive in cybersecurity. vCISO services should include one-on-one guidance for your strategic cybersecurity initiatives.
10. Self-service client portal
Does your MSP offer total transparency?
The best providers let you see exactly what they’re seeing, and they can explain it to you in non-technical terms if necessary. This is one mark of a true partner in managed IT services, and it’s the reason we give every Corsica client their own personalized portal. When you work with us, you can see everything related to your managed IT and cybersecurity services in a real-time, self-service portal experience.
The takeaway: Look for soft skills + deep expertise
Your experience with your MSP will ultimately come down to the people you’re working with. That’s why we recommend finding an MSP who offers great people with great expertise. That’s our model here at Corsica—and we connect it with true all-inclusive pricing and comprehensive expertise that includes data integration. Whatever your technology needs, we are your one-stop shop. Our goal is to handle your complexity so you can focus on your core business.
Looking for a managed IT service provider?
Reach out to schedule a consultation with our technology specialists.
