Local business owners constantly ask if their managed service provider has overpromised and underdelivered. Their IT services are not what they expected, leaving them to wonder if their expectations are too high or if the company has failed to live up to standards.
We recently spoke to one local business owner in Bakersfield while delivering an assessment review. They stopped and asked our consultant, “So what the assessment results show is our current IT service provider is doing the least amount possible?!”
This article will help you determine if your provider has failed to deliver on technology standards that your business cannot survive without in today’s cyber landscape. We’ll also share what a provider should do, to demonstrate what good looks like. It’s a major red flag if your experience doesn’t match these established standards.
Here are 6 questions to understand if your Managed Service Provider is Doing the Least Amount Possible:
1. Does Cybersecurity Keep You Up at Night?
Cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy an incredible $6.1 trillion this year as criminals become more sophisticated and brands begin to work increasingly online, often without quality protection.
An attack will occur every 11 seconds throughout this year and it’s happening right here at home.
We have seen a huge uptick in cyberattacks on Kern County & Los Angeles County businesses over the past year. Just this week, we spoke to a Bakersfield business who is concerned their current managed services provider does not have the skillset or experience to move their business to the cloud. Right after we spoke with them, they were hit with a $2.2 million dollar attack through their business email.
If you don’t feel confident with the cybersecurity services provided by your managed service provider, that alarm bell should be ringing loudly in your ear. Do not wait until an attack costs you money, time, resources and customer trust before you begin to take advantage of the security that comes with the right IT partner.
Your Microsoft 365 license may come with advanced security tools
Too many businesses don’t take advantage of what’s possible through their Microsoft 365 license. One of two things happens:
- They pay for cybersecurity tools they don’t need
- Their provider doesn’t turn on critical security features, exposing the business to unnecessary risks
You may have the tools you need to lock down security – regardless of location. Working with a partner like DiamondIT means that we help you leverage them.
Don’t forget about compliance
Maintaining compliance means adhering to ever-changing rules. At DiamondIT, we’re ready to help keep your business compliant. We’ll evaluate your compliance status and help you maintain security across your networks.
2. Are You Experiencing Run-Away Costs in Your Cloud?
The pandemic pushed businesses into the cloud. Their provider promised it would save money and facilitate work from home. But no one had an eye on costs. Cloud spend skyrocketed, decimating the entire business budget. Most providers over charged on hardware and underdelivered service.
Your cloud services should come with a predictable rate
You can get a tailored, fully managed cloud experience that has a predictable rate. With Diamond IT, for example, you can count on reliable, predictable cloud services that focus on boosting your employees’ productivity, regardless of where in the world they work.
3. What Kind of Rating Does Your Managed Service Provider Have on Google Reviews?
Calling your IT provider is always a hassle. No one answers. When they do, the help desk technician can’t solve your problem. You receive little to no support in terms of growing your business.
Don’t make excuses for your managed service provider
Instead of giving them a pass because they’re “busy,” take a look at the provider’s business profiles on Google and other popular review sites. Look at your current provider and their local competition. As you read, establish a benchmark for quality by asking yourself:
- Do other clients of this provider report the same issues as you?
- Do clients of other IT providers report similar problems?
- What kinds of support do other managed IT providers offer?
- What could your business achieve by switching providers?
Professional, responsive IT providers exist
You can find a provider that puts you first. We promise to be customer-focused, and it shows in our reviews. Clients regularly give us high ratings for professionalism, responsiveness and quick resolution of issues. You deserve the same level of support.
4. Can You Count on IT Support When You Need It Most?
It is 4:30 p.m., the day before a big presentation for an important prospective client. Your team is working remotely, putting the finishing touches on the proposal. Suddenly, everyone starts to experience network problems. Can you count on your help desk and remote IT support to walk you through it? If you cannot immediately answer yes, you have a problem.
IT support keeps your business running without interruption
Your managed service partner should be there to provide support around the clock. They should be tuned into your unique business needs and be prepared to offer you support. Our comprehensive IT support is designed to meet your budget. It includes remote support. On average, clients who submit a ticket hear from us in 6.6 minutes – and we’re constantly working to provide faster issue resolution. We actively work to prevent issues. As a result, our clients have a 99.999% uptime.
If you don’t receive that support, it might be time to move on.
5. Does Your Managed Service Provider Provide Strategic IT Consulting?
Your IT provider should have a strong business acumen. You want a consultant who is looking for ways to help you modernize your technology and guide your business through digital transformation.
Without an IT consulting partner, you:
- Adopt some digital strategies, but it’s not unified and strategic adoption
- Waste money on wrong or poorly designed IT solutions
- Undergo costly cloud migrations without reaping the benefits
- Can’t nimbly adapt your business to confront a crisis
Talk to us about your next IT project.
Why your next partnership should start with an IT analysis
Specialized business analyses and assessments give IT consultants a window into your operations. It’s a chance to understand your precise needs. Without this clarity, it’s impossible to set priorities. Technology won’t turn into a competitive advantage. It remains a product.
Before we work with any client, we ask them what they want to accomplish for their business. Then we listen. Their answers become a customized plan that:
- Integrates technology into their business flow
- Boosts productivity
- Circumvents downtime
- Provides top-notch security
6. Does Your Managed Services Provider Meet Their Own Expectations?
Take a look at your provider’s website. What do they promise? Do they clearly list out how they work with clients? It’s critical that your provider offers transparency and immediate engagement. It shows that they value you, their client and provides you a standard against which you can hold them accountable.
How does your provider stack up to the competition?
Anyone who visits our website knows that we’re a customer-centric company.
The approach starts during the assessment phase, where you explain your existing technologies and objectives. You get a tailored plan, which we implement with minimal disruptions to your business. Continual monitoring keeps your IT and business running without a hitch.
But if there is a problem, our clients know they can count on our guaranteed response times. All recommendations are fully explained. The full transparency enables them to move forward confidently, knowing that they have received tailored solutions to help them grow the business.
Get a Managed Service Provider Who Really Works for You
Bad IT devastates business in more ways than just wasting money. It can:
- Leave you vulnerable to cyberattacks
- Result in your business being ill-prepared for the digital future
- Leave gaps in your technology planning that hinder your business
- Result in you losing clients and customers to competitors who have capitalized on the IT potential
Don’t allow your IT budget to go to waste. Make sure IT and your IT provider work for you.
With DiamondIT, you can count on:
- Personalized service
- An individualized IT gap analysis to see precisely what your brand needs
- Superior IT consulting to steer you through your digital transformation
- Around-the-clock, friendly, helpful IT support
- The highest standards for cybersecurity
Don’t wait another minute – seize your potential today with an exceptional managed service provider like DiamondIT.
Call us for a consultation about your business’ goals and how we can help make them happen.