Three Questions to Ask Your Managed Services Partner

When striving to meet your agency’s mission, the last thing you want is IT complexity. Instead, federal agencies are embracing managed services, which allows them to be flexible, adopt new technologies and innovate without  high costs, management of multiple vendors and implementation or operational complexities. While it may sound too good to be true, the value of managed services is high, if you select the right partner.

Mike Smith, Director of Iron Bow’s Service Select practice, offers his advice on choosing the right partner.  In this short video, Smith tells us what questions an agency should be asking a managed services providers (MSP).  For example, does the organization have a partner network that can provide a complete solution?  Do they offer on-site support and are they available to you 24/7/365?

1. Is the MSP connected to a strong partner network?

Generally, an agency doesn’t want to work with multiple vendors for one solution. They need to focus on their own business outcomes, deadlines and overall agency mission. By selecting a managed services provider with an extensive partner network, they can offer multiple choices with access to best of breed technologies that will create a customized solution needed to simplify the agency’s IT needs.

2. What is their period of performance?

A trusted managed services provider is critical to the success of the agency’s IT mission. When choosing a provider, agencies need to see a track record of success.

3. What is there support like?

The last thing an IT department wants to face is a lack of support from the selected services provider. Ask questions up front about available support. Do they have access 24/7/365? Is the support in-person? Is there a dedicated team?

While turning to managed services is often the best option for agencies looking to simplify IT, it requires careful selection of the MSP. Don’t hesitate to ask the tough questions.                    

To learn more about Service Select, click here.  To watch the full video clip, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIzP_W3OoCM or view below: