What Are the Potential Challenges of Managed IT Services in Fort Lauderdale?
In theory, managed IT services should work for everyone. After all, the services offered are incredibly valuable, especially when you’re paying a flat-rate monthly fee for everything you need – from monitoring to maintenance to data backup and everything in between.
But here’s the thing: despite every MSP offering similar services, the way they provide those services can differ greatly. Although some challenges simply come with the investment, many challenges are specific to the MSP you’re choosing and whether or not they’re able to deliver on their promises.
So what are the potential challenges of managed IT services? Here are the main ones we’ve seen businesses experience:
A Never-Ending Onboarding Process
Some MSPs have the onboarding process down to a few weeks at most, but not all of them can do that. Sometimes, after you’ve signed the contract, you end up in a never-ending onboarding process with dozens of phone calls, project plans, and meetings. The right partner should be able to accomplish what they need within a couple of weeks. Make sure you ask ahead of time:
- How long will it take to create a technology roadmap?
- Do you have documentation for your onboarding process?
A Lack Of Answers Despite Getting Tons Of Alerts
Once you’re onboarded, you’re going to receive the occasional alert about your network in relation to its health, performance, and in some cases, security threats that were handled. But if you’re getting 20+ alerts a day that leaves you with questions that go unanswered, there’s a problem. Your MSP should explain any alerts to you – letting you know whether or not they’re important or worrisome.
A Sense Of Confusion Regarding Who To Call
If you don’t have an account manager, this may happen. And oftentimes, it’s incredibly frustrating to call the main office and speak with someone new each and every time you have an issue or question regarding your technology. This is a red flag that shows you’re not properly managed to the degree in which you should be.
A Lack Of Transparency In Terms Of Pricing
This happens all too often. Unfortunately, there’s no set standard for pricing in the industry, but that doesn’t mean an MSP has the right to charge you extra for all sorts of things that SHOULD be included. They should always be upfront and honest about anything “extra” that arises and get your permission before performing any work that may cost more than your monthly plan typically does.
A Difference When It Comes To Company Culture
Every company has its own unique culture, but it’s important to have similar values with the third-parties you’re choosing to partner alongside. After all, you’ll be working closely together for years to come. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding out that although you value honesty, they’re willing to throw that out the window to make a quick buck.
A Frustrating Tendency To Use “Tech Speak”
Some MSPs tend to use a lot of “tech speak” in terms of jargon and terms you may not understand. In a very technology-oriented business, this happens from time to time. But it can be frustrating if they’re always using a language you’re not clear on, so you have to ask for clarity or “plain language” constantly.
If you would like to avoid as many challenges as possible, especially the ones listed above, click here to get in contact with one of our representatives or call us at (305) 944-7300.