Last Updated on May 25, 2020 by Larious

Running a business in the modern world means that you need to maintain an effective IT environment. Of course, that’s not the only thing that you need to worry about, but it is a rather important aspect. This can be a big challenge for everyone, and especially for smaller and medium-sized companies. But, just because it is a challenge, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.

Rather than giving up and completely neglecting your technology needs, you need to find someone who will be able to manage those needs effectively and successfully. Managed IT services providers, such as Focus Connect and similar trustworthy companies, can be a real life-saver for your business. So, if you want to stay competitive in the modern market, you’ll need to think about hiring an expert like this.

However, hiring the right person for the job is easier said than done. Competition is fierce among these companies and each and every one of them claims that they are the best in the industry. That is bound to leave you a bit confused, especially if you don’t know what to expect from these service providers. First piece of advice – don’t take their word for it and do your own research.

When you start doing your own research, there are a couple of things you need to take into consideration. But, if you don’t know what you are looking for, chances are you won’t find what’s best for your business. So, here are some of the things that you should be looking for when hiring a managed IT services provider.

Availability

While you can take a day off, go on a sick leave or a vacation, your network doesn’t have the same privilege. You need it to work perfectly 24/7. And that is pretty much impossible if your IT guy has taken a day off, went on a sick leave or a vacation. That’s why working with a whole company and their highly skilled team is better than having someone you know “handle” the computers.

Here are some more advantages of using managed services: https://biztechmagazine.com/article/2016/12/6-key-advantages-using-managed-services

As I was saying, you need your network to work perfectly 24/7. That means that you need your service provider to be available to you 24/7. That might sound a bit too much, but that’s just the way it is. Your whole business depends on these guys and it’s important for them to be able to jump in immediately in case you have an issue that requires their attention.

Fast Response Time

This goes hand in hand with availability. Think about it. What good does it do you if you have a way of reaching your IT provider, but they don’t really respond quickly to your needs? You need someone who doesn’t forward your calls to a call center instead of taking them as soon as possible. Of course, don’t expect them to pick up the phone on the first ring – they’re people too, and not machines. Still, a fast response time is a must.

Daily Backups

Naturally, you want all your data to be protected online. That means that your managed services provider needs to perform consistent and automatic backups. Make sure to inquire about this in the hiring process, because it is one of the most important parts aimed at keeping your data safe. You might not be aware of everything these experts do, but this is something you have to know. And, if you want, you can always learn more about that.

Employee Support

Your employees can’t all be computer wizards, can they? Everyone has their own “thing” and their own field of expertise. So, when some of your employees have troubles with technology, it’s important to have someone to show them the right way to do things. And who could to that better than your managed services partner?

A great company will make sure that your employees are all familiar with the updates introduced to the network. In addition to that, these experts will help anyone in your firm who might be struggling with using any part of the network. That way, they will help you avoid many problems that might arise from lack of knowledge.