Understanding the local MSP landscape in Houston can be key in finding the right partner for your business.
Summary
This article will review the various aspects of aĀ HoustonĀ Managed Services ProviderĀ and what organizations should value when choosing the rightĀ information technologyĀ partner for theirĀ business needs.
Houston Is Evolving
TheĀ Houston areaĀ has long been known as a hub for the oil and gas industry, but it has become a major center for business and technology in recent years. The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of startups and tech firms. Additionally,Ā HoustonĀ is home to one of the largest medical centers in the world, and its port is the busiest in the United States.Ā HoustonĀ offers businesses the ability to tap into the deepĀ TexasĀ roots of the 5th largest metropolitan area in the country that will soon eclipse 7 million people. Not a bad market to call home!!
What To Value When Choosing an MSP in Houston
Finding a good partner is difficult. Finding an IT partner to help shape the future of your business is even more difficult. Here are some specific areas to consider when selecting aĀ managed services provider.
Expertise
When you outsource your technical expertise, theĀ Houston MSPĀ should provide a robust team of specialists to help with networking and security. They will also stay up-to-date on all new technologies, so you donāt have to!
While qualityĀ MSPsĀ are constantly expanding their knowledge base and keeping current with IT trends, here are a few areas of expertise to keep in mind when making a decision for your business:
- Ā Ā Technical knowledge: Obviously, you want anĀ MSPĀ that is technically competent and up-to-date on the latest technology trends. But donāt stop there ā also look for anĀ MSPĀ with experience implementing andĀ troubleshootingĀ the specific type of technology youāre using in yourĀ IT environment.
- Ā Ā Industry experience: It can be helpful to choose anĀ MSPĀ with experience in your industry, as theyāll be familiar with your unique challenges and opportunities.
- Ā Ā Business process expertise: A goodĀ MSPĀ will understand your businessās technical aspects, relevant processes, and how they fit together. This is essential for designing and implementing efficient and effective solutions forĀ business continuity.
Flexible and Scalable Services
As any business owner knows, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to running a successful operation. And in todayās fast-paced world, businesses need to be able to move quickly and adapt to change. Thatās why flexible and scalable services are essential whenĀ outsourcingĀ yourĀ technology solutionsĀ to anĀ MSP. A goodĀ managed services providerĀ should be experienced enough to know that no two businesses are alike and must be flexible in how they tailor their offering to your specific business requirements. They also must be able to quickly adapt to your changing needs and provide the ability to scale up or down where need be.
Proactive Approach
Nowadays, it seems like everyone is trying to sell you the latest and greatest technology. While itās important to stay up-to-date, simply having the latest tools isnāt enough. What really matters is how you use them. Thatās why you should always choose anĀ MSPĀ that takes a proactive approach in how they deliver their services. By closely monitoring your network and systems, theirĀ support teamĀ can identify potential issues before they cause problems. Additionally, they can provide preemptive maintenance and patching to block outages and vulnerabilities. As a result, youāll be able to avoid costlyĀ downtimeĀ and get the most out of your technology investment.
Current Technology
MSPsĀ are essential to any businessāsĀ IT strategy, providing expert services and support to ensure that yourĀ IT infrastructureĀ is always running smoothly. However, with the ever-changing landscape of technology, itās essential to choose anĀ MSPĀ that is always up-to-date with the latest advancements. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Ā Ā The latestĀ technologyĀ can help you stay ahead of the competition.
- Ā Ā The latestĀ applicationsĀ can increase productivity and efficiency.
- Ā Ā The latestĀ equipmentĀ can help reduceĀ downtimeĀ and improve uptime.
- Ā Ā The latestĀ processesĀ can help to reduce costs and mitigate risk.
Cybersecurity
When it comes toĀ IT security, businesses need to be proactive rather than reactive. Thatās why choosing anĀ MSPĀ that offers a comprehensiveĀ network securityĀ solution is so important. By taking a proactive approach, businesses can not only protect their data and systems fromĀ cyberattacks, but they can also prevent the threats from happening in the first place. So choose a provider that offers endpoint detection and response (EDR), DNS protection, RMM, anomaly detection, managed phishing response, multi-factor authentication (MFA), email hygiene, training, dark web monitoring, as well as otherĀ cybersecurity solutions.
Also, if your business has specific industry security requirements, make sure to better understand if anĀ IT services providerĀ has the certifications and experience needed to meet regulatory statutes for your space.
Monitoring
In todayās fast-paced business world,Ā downtimeĀ is simply not an option. Thatās why partnering with anĀ MSPĀ that offers 24Ć7Ā help desk supportĀ andĀ network monitoringĀ is essential. With around-the-clock coverage, you can rest assured that any issues with yourĀ IT systemsĀ will be caught and resolved quickly, minimizingĀ downtimeĀ and keeping your business running smoothly. In addition, 24Ć7 monitoring can help to identifyĀ IT issuesĀ before they occur, saving you even more time and hassle.
Measurable Processes and Outcomes
When choosing anĀ MSP, selecting a provider that can demonstrate their measurable performance with an SLA or Service Level Agreement is important. An SLA is a contract that sets out the terms of service between a provider and their client. It outlines the specific services that will be provided, the level of quality that can be expected, and the timeframe in which those services will be delivered. With an SLA in place, you can be confident that yourĀ MSPĀ will be held accountable for meeting your expectations over time. In addition, an SLA can help to protect your business if there are any problems with the service.
Communication
Communication is key to any business ā but this is especially true when working with anĀ MSP. After all, yourĀ MSPĀ is responsible for keeping your businessāsĀ IT systemsĀ up and running, so they must be able to quickly and effectively communicate any issues. Unfortunately, not allĀ MSPsĀ are created equal in this regard. Some may take days or even weeks to respond to your inquiries, while others may provide vaguely-worded updates that donāt give you the information you need to make informed decisions about yourĀ IT systems. Simply put, avoid the headache of a partner that doesnāt communicate. Itās not worth it.
A CompleteĀ Managed IT ServicesĀ Package
When choosing anĀ MSP, selecting a provider that delivers aĀ full-serviceĀ offering is essential. This means they should provideĀ help deskĀ andĀ IT support, inside sales, field engineers, project managers, designers,Ā IT consulting, security experts,Ā data centerĀ management,Ā disaster recovery,Ā cloud services,Ā professional services,Ā virtualization,Ā data backups, and other essentialĀ IT solutionsĀ or personnel. By selecting anĀ MSPĀ that offers a complete list of services, you can be sure that you will receive the support you need to manage the entirety of yourĀ IT infrastructure. In addition, a complete service offering ensures that you have access to expert staff who can provide guidance and assistance when needed to help you reach yourĀ business goals.
Cost
Managed IT servicesĀ can save you a lot of time and money compared to anĀ in-houseĀ IT department.Ā But the question is, how do you select anĀ MSPĀ that not only provides quality solutions for your business but delivers those services at a cost within the budget? If you have the proper perspective, it can definitely be done.
Once you have a firm grasp of the services and features you need from anĀ MSP, you should compare quotes from various providers. Itās important to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes the initial purchase price or setup fees and the ongoing costs of maintaining and supporting yourĀ IT infrastructure.
While all businesses should be cost-sensitive, we donāt recommend pushing forward with anĀ MSPĀ simply because they are the cheapest. The viability of your business is directly attributable to the performance of your IT. So donāt skimp on what your organization needs to survive. Instead, choose a partner that provides the most comprehensive, flexible, andĀ cost-effectiveĀ solution.
Provider Location
Do you go with a localĀ MSPĀ that can deliver a more personalized and potentiallyĀ on-siteĀ experience? Or, do you partner with a national provider with all the resources and expertise you can ever need but may not be familiar with the local business environment? Of course, both are valid choices, but it may be worth considering a third option ā a hybridĀ MSP. In recent years, a few regionalĀ MSPsĀ have matured into national players through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. These providers have preserved their local offices in places likeĀ HoustonĀ but can now apply their resources and expertise across the entire network when needed. While choosing the rightĀ MSPĀ for your business is up to you, we recommend giving this third option a look, especially if you are in anĀ SMBĀ orĀ medium-sized business.
Houston IT Management
When it comes to choosing anĀ MSP, there are a lot of factors to consider forĀ Houston businesses. However, by keeping the above points in mind, you can be sure to select a provider that is well-suited to meet your specificĀ IT needs. In doing so, you can enjoy theĀ peace of mindĀ that comes with knowing yourĀ IT infrastructureĀ is always in good hands.
If you are looking for the rightĀ MSPĀ for your business, we can help!Ā Contact Meriplex today, and one of our expert consultants will be happy to discuss your specific needs and recommend a solution tailored to your business.