EssentiaLink Explains What Must be Considered When Selecting a Managed Services Provider
A whole lucrative industry has spawned just to help inexperienced people market MSP services. So regardless of size or experience, anyone can have very slick websites, post cards, and fliers. It is getting harder and harder to tell who has the requisite experience and who does not.
Westminster, CO, March 19, 2009 --(PR.com)-- For nearly 10 years EssentiaLink has been providing outsourced procurement and IT services to companies across the country. During that time, CEO Bill Douglas has seen a trend.
When unemployment is high, there is dramatic increase in startup businesses selling IT services. To compete many existing IT shops are forced to start offering managed IT services they previously felt unqualified to offer before.
As more new and existing shops rush to offer Managed IT Services to grow their businesses; the more there is a need to establish good criteria for selection. Picking the wrong Managed Service Provider (MSP) can spell disaster for a business.
According to Bill Douglas, founder and CEO of EssentiaLink, “With so many layoffs, many unemployed people are opening up shop as Managed Service Providers. And now, a whole lucrative industry has spawned just to help inexperienced people market MSP services. So regardless of size, anyone can have very slick websites, post cards, and fliers. It is getting harder and harder to tell who has the requisite experience and who does not.”
EssentiaLink recommends companies take important steps to protect their business when selecting a Managed Service Provider. Here are some of Mr. Douglas' suggestions for selecting an MSP:
1) Look well beyond the Websites. There are so many boiler plate websites and they all extol the benefits of the managed services. However the provider must be investigated.
2) Ask how long has the company been in business. They may be great at IT but inexperienced at running a successful business.
3) Ask what services they do and do not provide. Pick a company that offers the right mix of services that provides the most bang for the buck.
4) Ask for customer references for the company and for their MSP services.
5) Do not sign any agreement under pressure. Ask them to leave a copy of their Service Level Agreement (SLA). Read it carefully and then ask them to come back.
Successful businesses have enjoyed the financial benefits of outsourcing a large portion of their IT maintenance for years. Now, there are more MSP choices than ever.
Asking these and other important questions can save a company from the disaster of choosing the wrong managed services provider.
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When unemployment is high, there is dramatic increase in startup businesses selling IT services. To compete many existing IT shops are forced to start offering managed IT services they previously felt unqualified to offer before.
As more new and existing shops rush to offer Managed IT Services to grow their businesses; the more there is a need to establish good criteria for selection. Picking the wrong Managed Service Provider (MSP) can spell disaster for a business.
According to Bill Douglas, founder and CEO of EssentiaLink, “With so many layoffs, many unemployed people are opening up shop as Managed Service Providers. And now, a whole lucrative industry has spawned just to help inexperienced people market MSP services. So regardless of size, anyone can have very slick websites, post cards, and fliers. It is getting harder and harder to tell who has the requisite experience and who does not.”
EssentiaLink recommends companies take important steps to protect their business when selecting a Managed Service Provider. Here are some of Mr. Douglas' suggestions for selecting an MSP:
1) Look well beyond the Websites. There are so many boiler plate websites and they all extol the benefits of the managed services. However the provider must be investigated.
2) Ask how long has the company been in business. They may be great at IT but inexperienced at running a successful business.
3) Ask what services they do and do not provide. Pick a company that offers the right mix of services that provides the most bang for the buck.
4) Ask for customer references for the company and for their MSP services.
5) Do not sign any agreement under pressure. Ask them to leave a copy of their Service Level Agreement (SLA). Read it carefully and then ask them to come back.
Successful businesses have enjoyed the financial benefits of outsourcing a large portion of their IT maintenance for years. Now, there are more MSP choices than ever.
Asking these and other important questions can save a company from the disaster of choosing the wrong managed services provider.
###
Contact
EssentiaLink
David Hayden
720-259-4976
www.essentialink.com
Bill Douglas (877) 572-4886
David Hayden
720-259-4976
www.essentialink.com
Bill Douglas (877) 572-4886
Contact
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