Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Local MSP

Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Local MSP

What Services Do You Offer and What are Your Areas of Expertise?

What Services Do You Offer and What are Your Areas of Expertise?


Okay, so youre hunting for a Managed Service Provider (MSP) right? Finding the Right Managed Service Provider: A Local Guide . Smart! check But before you jump in, gotta ask the right questions. And top of that list HAS to be "What Services Do You Offer and What are Your Areas of Expertise?"


Seriously, this is like, the most important thing. You need to know if they actually do what you need them to do! Dont just assume they handle everything IT-related. (Because trust me, they dont!)


For example, maybe youre really worried about cybersecurity. Do they offer managed security services? Like, real, actual protection against ransomware and stuff? Or is it just, you know, basic antivirus? Theres a HUGE difference.


And what about their expertise? Are they really good at cloud solutions? Do they have experience with the specific software your company uses? Are they more focused on SMBs, or (maybe) larger enterprises?

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You want an MSP that knows their stuff in your area.


Dont be afraid to dig deep. Ask for specific examples. Ask about certifications (like, are they Microsoft certified, or what?). And dont be fooled by jargon! If theyre throwing around buzzwords and you dont understand what theyre saying, make them explain it in plain English!

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What a disaster that would be!


Basically, you need to match their services and expertise to your business needs. Otherwise, youre just wasting your time and money (and probably gonna end up with a big headache!).

What is Your Proactive Approach to Security and Data Protection?


When youre picking a local MSP, you gotta ask them about security, right? Like, whats their proactive approach to security and data protection? This isnt just about having a firewall (duh!).

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Its about how they actually think about keeping your stuff safe.


Do they just react when something goes wrong, or are they actively looking for potential problems before they become, well, problems? Do they, like, regularly scan for vulnerabilities, or are they just waiting for a ransom note to show up? What about employee training? A strong password policy is useless if everyones using "password123"!


And data protection! Its not enough to just back up your files. How often do they back them up? Where do they store the backups? Are they encrypted? Whats their plan for getting you back up and running quickly if, heaven forbid, something really bad happens, like a flood or, I dunno, a meteor strike (unlikely, but you get the idea!)


Basically, you want to find out if theyre truly invested in keeping your data safe, or if theyre just ticking boxes to meet some minimum requirement. A good MSP will be able to clearly explain their proactive measures and give you confidence that your business is in safe hands! Its your data, after all! So ask the tough questions. What software do they use? How do they stay up to date with the latest threats? Do they have certifications and what is their incident response plan?!?!

What is Your Response Time and Service Level Agreement (SLA)?


Okay, so youre thinking bout hiring a local MSP (Managed Service Provider)! Smart move, honestly. But before you jump in, gotta ask the right questions, ya know? And one of the biggies, like, a MUST-ASK, is about their response time and their Service Level Agreement, or SLA.


Basically, "What is your response time?" is asking how QUICKLY theyll get back to you when things go south. Like, if your email server crashes, or your whole network decides to take a vacation. (Not a good vacation, a bad one). Are they going to respond in 15 minutes? An hour? A whole day?! Big difference, right? Faster is usually better, obvs, but it also usually costs more.


Then theres the SLA. This is like, the real meat and potatoes. The SLA is a legally binding document (usually) that spells out exactly what level of service they guarantee. It should cover things like uptime percentages (how much time your systems are actually working), response times for different types of issues, and what happens if they dont meet their promises. Think penalties! Will they give you a discount? Fix something for free? Its all in the SLA, and you gotta read it carefully!


Dont just take their word for it! Get it in writing. A good SLA protects you and makes sure theyre held accountable. If they dodge this question, or act like its no big deal, RUN! Seriously, find someone else! A clear, well-defined SLA shows theyre serious about providing good service. And thats what you deserve!

What are Your Pricing and Contract Terms?


So, youre talkin to a potential MSP, right? And youre thinkin, "Okay, these guys seem alright, but whats this gonna cost me?"

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Thats where the "What are Your Pricing and Contract Terms?" question comes in, see?

Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Local MSP - managed it security services provider

Its, like, super important.


You gotta understand, like, how they charge. Is it per user? Per device? Maybe a flat fee? (Ooh, flat fee sounds nice, doesnt it?) And whats included in that price, ya know? Are we talkin everything covered, or are there gonna be extra charges for, uh, certain things? Like if my server decides to, I dunno, spontaneously combust!


Then theres the contract itself! How long is it for? Can I get out of it if they, like, totally fail at their job (god forbid!)? Are there penalties for early termination? And what happens if they decide to end the contract? Do I suddenly lose all my IT support overnight?! That would be a disaster!


Dont be afraid to negotiate, either! Maybe you can get a better deal, especially if youre a larger company or youre willing to commit to a longer contract. Just make sure you read the fine print, alright? Because nobody wants to get stuck with a bad MSP and a contract thats impossible to break! Its a real headache, lemme tell ya! Get it all in writing! And get your lawyer to look at it, just to be safe! check Good luck!

Can You Provide Client Testimonials and References?


Okay, so youre hunting for a local MSP (Managed Service Provider), right? Smart move! But before you jump in, you gotta ask the right questions. And one of the most important, like, totally crucial ones is: "Can You Provide Client Testimonials and References?"


Seriously, dont skip on this one! Its not just about them saying "Oh yeah, were great!" (everyone says that, duh). Its about them proving it. A good MSP should be happy to connect you with current or past clients. These folks can give you the real, unfiltered scoop on what its really like working with them. (Think of it like checking online reviews, but, like, way more personal and, uh, verifiable?)


Ask to speak to a few different clients, if possible. Try to get a mix of businesses that are similar in size and industry to your own. What youre looking for is confirmation that the MSP actually delivers on their promises. Do they respond quickly when theres a problem? Are they proactive in preventing issues before they even happen? Are their clients, you know, actually happy?


If an MSP hesitates or cant provide references, thats a major red flag! Like, run for the hills red flag! It could mean theyre hiding something, or that their current clients arent exactly singing their praises. You want an MSP thats transparent and confident enough to let their work speak for itself.

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Trust me, getting those testimonials and references is worth the extra effort! It could save you a whole lotta headaches (and money!) down the road! Good luck with your search!

What Industries Do You Specialize In?


Okay, so, like, when youre picking a local MSP (Managed Service Provider), you gotta ask about their specialties. What industries do they, like, actually know? I mean, yeah, they might say they can handle anything, but thats kinda sus, right? Different businesses have different needs!


For example, a doctors office has to worry about HIPAA, which is a whole other ballgame than, say, a construction company. (Think privacy regulations galore!) Or a law firm – they need super secure document management and, like, crazy uptime cause if their systems are down, theyre losing money, big time. So, if the MSP just says "We do IT," thats a red flag! You wanna hear them say, "Oh, we have tons of experience with healthcare" or "Were experts in the financial sector."


It just shows they understand the specific compliance requirements and software that your type of business uses. Plus, theyll probably have seen (and fixed!) the common problems that pop up in your industry. Makes life a whole lot easier, ya know? And less stressful! So, seriously, ask them – what industries are you really good at?! Its a game changer!

What Tools and Technologies Do You Utilize?


Okay, so. When youre picking a local MSP (Managed Service Provider, duh!), one of the top questions has to be "What Tools and Technologies Do You Utilize?" Its, like, super important. I mean, are they still using floppy disks and Windows 95? (Hopefully not!)


Seriously though, you need to know what theyre bringing to the table. Are they using industry-standard stuff, like sophisticated monitoring software, robust security tools, and good backup solutions? managed services new york city Or, are they kinda winging it with freeware they downloaded off the internet?! You want to make sure theyre using the right tools to keep your business safe and running smoothly.


Think about it. If theyre using outdated or subpar tech, it could mean slower response times when things go wrong, holes in your security, and just a general lack of efficiency. And nobody wants that! Asking about their tools and technologies gives you a glimpse into how serious they are about their job and how well-equipped they are to handle your needs. Its a big deal, and you should totally ask!