How to Plan For Your Managed IT Needs in 2020

It’s important to start thinking about your managed IT needs and plan for this upcoming year. The planning doesn’t stop when you obtain your managed IT provider, as you now have to start thinking about how to use them effectively.

Availability 

Whether or not your business is open 24-hours-a-day, you need to make sure your IT provider is available at all times. Your network services need to be in constant working condition, so it is important to confirm with your provider that they are available with around-the-clock service.

Service and Response Time

Being available around the clock is key, though it is even more essential that you have a pre-established guaranteed response time in which your IT provider will respond to your needs and problems when they arise. It is also important that when you need to get in contact with your provider, they provide you with fast and personalized customer service. 

Budgeting 

Proper IT planning is a vital step when it comes to scaling your business. A good managed services provider will work with you to create a yearly technology plan customized to your specific needs. Ask for their advice, and use their expertise in order to assist you in your yearly planning. Make a point of asking about ways that your company can save money on your technology expenses and improve efficiency.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Sit down with your provider and establish a disaster recovery plan that is not exclusively limited to cyber threats. When making a plan it is important to keep in mind that your company is also vulnerable to physical threats such as natural disasters, break-ins, and sabotage. Are you adequately protected against these threats? Any good service provider will help you to plan for the future, protect your data, and make sure that your business can get back on its feet after any event. 

Third-Party Vendors

Remember that your providers will handle technology vendors for you, which saves you the time of tracking down multiple vendors when it comes to service and support. When making your yearly plan with your provider, look at who they provider with and make sure they have expertise in the tools that your company uses. 

Local On-Site Maintenance and Support 

Having a local vendor is a huge benefit when it comes to making sure you have the best service possible. Make sure that your provider is able to give your 24/7 on-site support so that you can have a quick-action plan for any situation. 

Proactive Maintenance 

It can be easy to focus on fixing technology only when it stops working, but at a growing company, this will not suffice when it comes to keeping your assets secure. Your managed services provider should be proactive, making updates that you need ahead of time in order to avoid serious problems later on. 

Cybersecurity Score

Though you should already be checking your company's cybersecurity score frequently as part of your established list of responsibilities, It’s also essential that you discuss your Cybersecurity Score with your provider. A higher score signifies that your company is less likely to be attacked, documents are more secure, and confidential data is better guarded against unauthorized access. On the other hand, a low score shows that there is more work to be done when it comes to keeping your company’s network safe. Find out more about what a cybersecurity score is and it's full impacts in Calculating Your Cybersecurity Score.

When considering your company's IT needs, it’s vital that you bring up these topics with your managed IT provider. While having these conversations, it is also important to keep in mind what you should expect from a good IT services provider. The key to your company’s success lies in staying on top of your IT plan and ensuring that you are working with a provider that can follow through on your established plan.