Before outsourcing your IT to a managed services provider, it is important to ask a series of questions to ensure the company is providing you with the best services that suit your industry and technology needs.
Proactive Support
Do they offer a complete solution, never outsourcing any part of their helpdesk?
You want to ensure that your IT partner has control over the quality of service that you receive.
Do they provide a custom plan based on vetted technology standards?
Most managed IT services companies in Calgary have proactive support, but it is always good to ask. You can ask what Remote Management Platform they use, then Google their response for more information.
Do they help you plan for future technology changes and standards?
Is there an analysis performed on security protocols, backups, utilization of cloud services and a rollout plan to bring your network up to standard best practices?
Do they prepare a detailed budget so you can follow through with that plan?
Are you provided with a 3 year plan on hardware and software upgrades?
Do they have an efficient system for prioritizing issues based on your needs?
Most managed IT services companies in Calgary will have professional services automation software that will allow them to triage incoming alerts and requests from users so that support technicians focus on the most urgent requests first.
Full Coverage
Can they build your network from the ground up, providing room for scalability?
Do they provide unlimited remote and on-site support?
Are there any hidden charges?
Do they provide 7 days per week support?
Do they offer comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solutions?
It is important to have both onsite and offsite backups. Also, it is good to always backup your Office 365 and Gsuite email and document accounts.
How do they keep your network and data secure?
What do they do to keep your network and data secure. Have them explain in laymans terms.
Is procurement included in their managed service offering?
Do they help you source and buy all your IT hardware and software? Licensing can be tricky sometimes and it is great to have a resource to rely on.
Do they offer complimentary workstation rebuilds?
Are these extra charges?
Are all of the above included in one flat rate so you can keep to a budget?
Established Strategy and Process
Do they provide a dedicated account and support team with techs and engineers who know your business?
Every business has some unique requirements and it takes time for those requirements to be documented. Additionally, some verticals have specific requirements to meet privacy or data retention requirements.
Do they offer a client-assigned CIO who is dedicated to overseeing your IT plan?
A CIOs purpose is to look at technology and see how it can be leveraged to drive down operational costs and increase revenue. Then to create a plan that the Organization can work towards. Examples would include Accounts Payable automation, Robotic Process Automation for data entry, etc.
Do you have regular, scheduled meetings with someone who understands your business?
Regular communication is key to keeping abreast of the changes in your business and industry and for your Organization to be kept abreast of technology changes.
Do they ask for feedback and follow up with improvements?
Again, regular communication is vital to a health Partnership. Ask how this is achieved.
Skill and Experience
Are all their technicians certified and experienced in their field?
Do they invest in their team, with ongoing training and certification and support?
There is a difference between learning on the job and proactive learning. The technology world is always evolving and so regular training is important.
Do they keep up with the latest technologies and innovations, and apply those benefits to their clients?
There is a difference between learning on the job and proactive learning. The technology world is always evolving and so regular training is important.
Can they manage compliance requirements such as HIPAA, FINRA and SEC?
This is depending on your industry and might not be relevant.
Reputation
Do they track client satisfaction, and maintain a near-perfect record?
Does every user receive an email after receiving Service that allows them to grade the Service that they received?
Do they have positive client reviews from third party websites?
Ask for the website URLs
Are their clients willing to vouch for them?
Are their clients willing to have a discussion by phone?
Do they have relationships with best-in-breed technology partners such as Datto and Dell?
Get a list of their Technology Partners and look them up through Google.
How long have they been in business for?
Digital Transformation
Are all your internal processes analyzed?
If you are using excel or paper anywhere in your business, there could be room for efficiencies. Technology touches every area of a business, let an expert help you.
Are interviews done with each group in your company to see how they perform their work?
Each group will have different technology requirements and also might need help improving internal processes with better technology or software.
Is a plan laid out, that leverages Cloud technology to increase collaboration and communication for employees, vendors and customers?
Both Gsuite and Office 365 have great capabilities in this area. There are also off the shelf tools that can be leveraged.
Is a return on investment built for an audit on internal processes?
You need to show that the new technology will either drive down costs or increase revenue so that it pays for itself.
Are they versed in non Microsoft Cloud products?
Don't get us wrong, Microsoft has great products but it is important to always analyze other products to see what can provide a better experience for your users.
Do they have experience in change management?
Whenever new technology is implemented, there needs to be a good change management process in place to ensure that Users have a positive experience.
Do they aspire to "best of breed" software solutions?
When looking at software to run the Operations or Finances of your Organization, or Groups within your Organization, it is sometimes important to have multiple software platforms integrated together than one ERP software that aspires to do all things for all Groups.
Do they talk about public APIs?
Public APIs allow Organizations to integrate different software applications together so that data is only entered once. Or data can easily be pulled out to create dashboards and key performance indicators.
Do they build out an implementation plan in conjunction with all stakeholders?
Getting buy-in from stakeholders when implementing new technology will greatly increase the rate of success.
Will they help you become a firm that leverages cutting-edge technology to give you a competitive advantage in the market?
Ask them how technology can help them be a leader in their industry.
Do they enable your staff to get access to the data that they require from their mobile devices?
Employees are mobile. Do they have access to all the data and software that they need from their mobile device?
Do they help build a "Dashboard" and Key Performance Indicators?
Organizations gather lots of data but most of them do not put that data into a platform that allows them to make better business decisions. Can they help you build a reporting system that gives real time business insights? Most industries have their own Metrics for measuring business performance.
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