5 Common Questions to Ask Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) 

IT Consulting Managed IT

by - July 16, 2024

Technology isn’t just a tool–it’s the backbone of your business operations. From managing your network infrastructure to safeguarding your data and enhancing productivity, effective IT support is crucial. The benefits to partnering with an experienced IT service provider–one who is invested in your company’s long-term success–are numerous. 

The Nessit team had the pleasure of attending the Small Business Expo in Miami recently, where we got to meet and talk with lots of business owners about all things IT. Here are the top questions we heard from small business owners, and our answers! 

1. What Exactly Does an MSP Do?

Whether you’re a small startup or a large organization, your Managed Service Provider (MSP) acts as your go-to IT partner. Your MSP’s comprehensive services are designed to keep your technology running smoothly and securely. Strategic guidance, proactive monitoring and maintenance, and round-the-clock support are all part of the package. A provider can offer solutions about how to better leverage your existing technology and make recommendations about cost-effective upgrades and improvements. Your MSP essentially becomes an extension of your in-house team, ensuring that your IT infrastructure aligns with your business goals and objectives. 

2. Why Do I Need IT Support?

Having proper IT support for your small business can prevent costly downtime and cyber threats and maximize efficiency and scalability. IT support is the cornerstone of your company’s success. An effective Managed Service Provider will handle your organization’s tech issues as they arise, optimize your infrastructure, and safeguard your data. As your business grows and evolves, so do your technology needs. With the right MSP by your side, you are free to focus on what you do best and leave the complexities of IT management to an expert. 

3. I’m just getting my business started. What should I be doing now to prepare for an IT partnership as I grow?

As you lay the foundation for your new business, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your IT strategy. Begin by assessing your immediate and future technology needs. Outline your business’s growth objectives and identify potential pain points. Partnering early on with a Managed Service Provider will ensure that your systems are optimized and save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. Your MSP will help you scale your business as it grows and support you on your journey from startup to long term success.   

4. I have an IT provider, but it’s an informal partnership. What should I be asking them?

If you already have an IT provider but feel like the partnership lacks structure, support, or accountability, you should address your concerns head-on. Schedule a meeting to discuss your expectations, service level agreements, and areas where there’s room for improvement. Ask your provider about their approach to proactive maintenance, the typical response time for support requests, and their plans for scaling your technology as your business grows. Transparent communication and clearly defined expectations are essential to a successful IT partnership. 

5. How can a great MSP help my business grow?

A great MSP is a strategic partner who is invested in your company’s success. Your provider brings expertise and industry insights to help your business grow in many ways. 

  • Increased Productivity – Proactive monitoring and maintenance will keep your systems running smoothly, minimizing downtime and improving overall productivity. 
     
  • Robust Security – Cybersecurity solutions and round-the-clock monitoring, as well as regular vulnerability assessments and technology updates, will ensure your data and assets are protected from cyberattack. 
     
  • Scalability – As your business grows, an MSP provides scalable IT solutions that grow with it. With an IT strategy in place, your organization will be able to adapt to changing needs and new opportunities. 
     
  • Cost Savings – By outsourcing your IT management to an MSP, you reduce overhead costs associated with office space and equipment, hiring and training in-house staff, and reduce the likelihood of unexpected tech expenses. Your provider can help your company leverage its existing technology and propose cost-effective IT solutions. 

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider is a strategic investment in the future of your business. Your MSP will streamline operations, enhance security, and provide solutions to enable growth and innovation, while increasing productivity. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your IT management is in experienced hands, so you can focus on what matters most–your thriving business. 

Talk to Nessit about how we can help your business succeed with our Managed and Co-Managed IT services. 

Related Posts

How an IT Managed Service Provider Can Benefit Municipalities

Municipalities face unique challenges when it comes to managing IT infrastructure. From safeguarding data to maintaining compliance with local and state regulations, effective IT management is necessary to ensure municipal operations run smoothly. Budget restrictions can make it difficult to fully staff an IT department that can meet the complex needs of schools, fire, police, planning, clerks, and more. Partnering with a Managed Service Provider can offer valuable support in navigating these challenges through scaled IT solutions that fit your specific needs. 

Municipal Case Study

How can managed or co-managed IT help your municipality? 

  • Comprehensive Cybersecurity 

Because of the sensitive information involved, government organizations are prime targets for cyberattacks. A data breach can compromise citizen data, disrupt essential services, and cause widespread harm, making comprehensive cybersecurity a priority. MSPs provide proactive security measures, including employee education, advanced threat detection, continuous monitoring, strong encryption protocols, and disaster recovery planning. By staying on top of emerging threats, your MSP can ensure that government data and systems remain protected. 

  • Regulatory Compliance 

Government agencies have to adhere to a wide range of regulations related to data security, privacy, and accessibility. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines, legal challenges, and loss of public trust. An experienced MSP will understand the complexity of these regulations and ensure that your organization remains compliant by offering guidance on best practices for data management and implementing policies that meet regulatory standards. An MSP with expertise in navigating the regulatory landscape will allow government agencies to stay focused on their core mission without the added burden of managing compliance.  

  • Improved Efficiency and Productivity 

Efficient IT infrastructure is essential for government organizations to maintain productivity and reduce downtime. A proactive MSP can conduct regular audits to assess IT maturity, address potential vulnerabilities, and optimize performance. Timely support to resolve technical difficulties will enhance day-to-day productivity and ensure the smooth delivery of essential public services. 

  • Cost-Effective IT Management 

Budget constraints are a common concern for government organizations. Partnering with an MSP can be a cost-effective solution by providing access to expert support and supplementing in-house IT staff. An MSP can manage your equipment and licensing, eliminating wasted spend on unnecessary technology, and freeing up valuable resources that can be directed towards other priorities. 

  • Scalable Solutions 

As government organizations grow or their needs shift, IT systems should evolve accordingly. An MSP can offer scalable solutions that seamlessly adapt to your changing needs, whether that means expanding IT infrastructure, integrating new technologies, or enhancing cybersecurity. By providing flexibility and a customized strategy, MSPs ensure that IT systems can scale up or down with your organization. 

  • Reliable Support and Expertise 

Government organizations in particular require reliable IT support to provide uninterrupted public services. MSPs deliver 24/7 monitoring and support to make sure any IT issues are addressed swiftly. From routine maintenance to emergency troubleshooting, MSPs help prevent downtime and keep services running smoothly. 

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider offers many benefits for government organizations–who need reliable, secure, and effective IT systems to fulfill their mission. From robust cybersecurity to regulatory compliance, cost-effective management, and scalable solutions, an MSP can provide tailored solutions to meet your unique needs. By outsourcing IT management to trusted experts, your government agency can focus on serving the public, confident that their infrastructure is in good hands. Learn more about how Nessit’s services can benefit your organization. 

IT Case Study: New Hampshire Municipality

Municipal governments are responsible for managing and delivering a wide range of essential services in the communities they serve. For all the departments involved to function effectively–from police and fire to social services and public works–a secure and reliable IT infrastructure is essential. The technology necessary to safeguard sensitive data, enable seamless communication, ensure compliance and accessibility, and keep large networks running smoothly can be difficult to navigate.  

At Nessit, we understand the unique needs and challenges that can make IT management complex for local governments. Experience has taught us that these clients often have to contend with budget constraints, aging infrastructure, unnecessary or redundant technology, and–most crucially–the threat of cyberattack. Effective management requires a trusted partner who knows how towns run and can see the big picture while meeting the client where they are.  

So, when a New Hampshire town became dissatisfied with their longtime IT vendor, they went looking for a second opinion. We were one of three managed service providers to submit a bid with remediation plans, and our bid was selected to become this municipality’s IT vendor. 

How did we create a custom proposal for their specific IT needs? First, we took a close look at their current infrastructure to identify and prioritize the issues we’d need to address. We also spent a lot of time listening, so we could begin with a thorough understanding of how the municipality worked and where their system was failing them. We came up with a comprehensive plan to fix the immediate problems, within budget, with the long-term goal of IT maturity. We assured them that Nessit would be an extension of their team and a partner they could count on to pick up the phone when they called.  

The Problem

The municipality’s IT environment wasn’t well-maintained, and because their tech infrastructure had been cobbled together, different departments couldn’t share resources or communicate with each other. The Water and Police Departments couldn’t talk to City Hall; the Highway Department didn’t have high speed internet, while the library was paying for internet they didn’t need. The town had no centralized print services, and employees were sharing login credentials and using a variety of cloud providers. File sharing was an issue, so that sometimes the employee at desk A couldn’t see updates from the employee at desk B. All of this created unnecessary complexity, with too many disconnected silos and no cohesive IT strategy. This system also left the town more vulnerable to cyberattacks, which is a growing problem in New Hampshire. The client needed an MSP who understood dispersed networks and could design and implement a unified IT infrastructure. 

How Nessit Fixed It

First, the system upgrade that their previous MSP attempted had to be reversed and re-done. Nessit reconfigured their server, putting together a unified stack to replace their piecemeal system. By centralizing services, all departments now have high speed internet and can easily communicate and collaborate. We provided everyone with their own login credentials–a crucial factor in improving security.  

Our job was to make their jobs easier by implementing technology that works seamlessly, requiring very little support and eliminating the downtime they had experienced while waiting for help. As the municipality’s budget increased, they asked Nessit to improve efficiencies in other environments, upgrading systems, networks and workstations. Our team ensured that all data was backed up and put a failover system in place. We created a data retention policy to reduce risk and ensure they maintained compliance with regulations.  

Most importantly, we built a personal relationship with the client, showing them what a true partnership is by listening to their questions and responding quickly to issues that arise. Our work is ongoing, and we continue to move the municipality towards IT maturity, spacing work out to fit their allocated budget.  

At Nessit, our clients’ success is our success. Every municipality faces different challenges and IT solutions need to be tailored to their unique needs. A Managed Service Provider should have a thorough understanding of dispersed networks, how towns run, and how to invest wisely in IT while respecting budget constraints. The need for robust security to counter the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks is critical, and often underestimated until a breach occurs and it’s too late. Nessit’s comprehensive management includes everything from employee education on security best practices, disaster recovery and continuity planning, and 24/7 monitoring. An MSP can provide a wealth of benefits for municipalities, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations so employees can focus on their core duties–ensuring safety, wellbeing, and quality of life for their community. 

If you’re a local government administrator looking for efficient, cost-effective IT solutions and support, we would love to put you in touch with other towns so you can hear firsthand how they’ve been positively impacted. Contact us. 

Understanding IT Maturity

Why It’s Important for Your Business and How Nessit Can Help

The effectiveness of your IT infrastructure greatly impacts the success of your business. Having basic IT systems in place is not enough. Achieving IT maturity is critical for long-term growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. So, what exactly is IT maturity, why is it important, and how can Nessit help your business get there? 

IT maturity refers to the development and optimization of your organization’s technology infrastructure, processes, and capabilities. As your business evolves, so should your IT strategy, moving from reactive problem-solving to a proactive, streamlined, and strategic approach that integrates technology into every facet of your organization. The more mature the infrastructure, the better your business can adapt to changes, ensure security, improve efficiency, and innovate. 

IT maturity is typically categorized through stages, ranging from basic operations to fully optimized systems. The level of maturity usually predicts how well an organization’s IT infrastructure supports its employees, processes, and end-users. The more mature the system is, the less likely a business is to be affected by security breaches, disruptions, and lost productivity. Identifying your organization’s current level of IT maturity is the first step toward optimization. 

Stages of IT Maturity

  1. Initial: At this stage, IT is often ad hoc and reactive, addressing issues as they arise without a cohesive strategy. Processes are inconsistent, insufficiently defined, and poorly documented, and overall IT support is ineffective.  
  1. Managed: IT systems are more structured and managed, but still largely focused on day-to-day operations. Some processes and procedures have been implemented, but there is no overarching strategy. IT is still reactive, rather than proactive. 
  1. Defined: Processes and framework are standardized and documented. IT is more predictable and there is some alignment with business goals. IT is more proactive and progressing toward standardization. 
  1. Quantitatively Managed: Metrics and performance indicators are used to assess and improve IT systems and processes. Objectives are defined and align with business goals. Processes can be measured, duplicated, and tracked, and overall efficiency is improved. 
  1. Optimized: IT is fully integrated with business objectives, driving innovation, automation, and long-term growth. Processes are monitored, updated and continually optimized. Performance is improved and risk is mitigated. 

Why is IT Maturity So Important for Businesses?

Achieving IT maturity provides several key benefits for your business. 

  1. Increased Efficiency: Mature IT systems streamline workflows, reduce downtime, and boost productivity by automating repetitive tasks and eliminating bottlenecks. 
  1. Enhanced Security: As your business grows, so do your security risks. IT maturity ensures a robust, proactive approach to cybersecurity, minimizing vulnerabilities, preventing data breaches, and protecting sensitive information. 
  1. Cost Savings: Well-optimized IT systems reduce waste, duplication, and unnecessary IT expenses, providing cost-effective solutions that maximize ROI. 
  1. Scalability and Agility: With a mature infrastructure, your business can easily scale operations and adapt to new market demands or technological advancements. This makes it easier to grow, innovate, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment. 
  1. Alignment with Business Goals: Optimized IT means that your technology supports and enhances business goals and objectives, rather than being an afterthought. This alignment promotes a forward-thinking company culture and ultimately drives success. 

How Nessit Helps Your Business Achieve IT Maturity

At Nessit, we understand that achieving IT maturity is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Every business is unique, and we take the time to really get to know you and your long-term business goals.  We work closely with you to assess your organization’s current IT capabilities and create a tailored roadmap to help you reach the highest level of optimization. Here’s how we help: 

  • Assessment and Strategy Development: Nessit begins by evaluating where your business stands in terms of IT maturity. We identify gaps, inefficiencies, and security risks in your current systems, and then develop a comprehensive IT strategy that aligns with and supports your business goals. 
  • Proactive IT Management: We take a proactive approach to managing your IT infrastructure. Rather than waiting for issues to arise, we continuously monitor, maintain and optimize your systems to ensure seamless operations and prevent potential problems. 
  • Security Solutions: Nessit implements cutting-edge cybersecurity measures to protect your business from attacks. We ensure that your security systems are robust and proactive to eliminate any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.   
  • Scalable IT: As your business grows, we provide scalable IT solutions to meet new demands and opportunities. Whether you need to add new systems, upgrade infrastructure, onboard new employees, or improve cloud computing capabilities, we help your business stay ahead of the curve. 
  • Data-Driven Insights: Using advanced analytics and reporting tools, we help you gain deeper insight into your IT performance. This allows you to make smarter business decisions and continually refine your strategies. 
  • Ongoing Support: Nessit doesn’t just implement solutions. As your IT Managed Service Provider, we provide continuous support and guidance. As industry trends and technology evolve, we make sure your IT systems are always aligned with the latest best practices and innovations. 

IT maturity is essential for your business to succeed in a competitive landscape. With the right strategy and support, you can successfully transition your company from reactive IT operations to a fully optimized system that drives efficiency, enhances security, and drives long-term growth. Nessit is here to help you on that journey, from initial evaluation to ongoing support. Our comprehensive IT services ensure that your IT systems evolve with your business. Contact us to learn how we can help your business use technology to thrive. Your success is our success.