How Do I Choose The Right Managed IT Services Provider? The Quick Take
According to a recent report by Channel Futures, 64% of midsize businesses and 65% of small enterprises globally plan to increase their spending on managed IT services in 2025. Companies looking for the right managed IT services provider (MSP) to take their IT functions out of house should consider:
Questions to Ask:
- What IT tasks would I like to eliminate from our internal to-do list, and does this MSP partner have the expertise on deck to complete them? Look for an MSP with a 24 hour, end-user help desk, CISSP-certified virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs), and experienced service technicians who can service your office onsite. Even if you don’t need all those services right away, they’ll be available when you’re ready to scale up.
- Does this MSP have experience working with companies in my industry vertical? Do they understand your cybersecurity compliance burdens and the nuances of your industry-specific platforms and software?
- Are they well rated on industry rating sites, like Clutch, or are they growing fast enough to make into industry accolade list like CRN MSP 500? These third party sources can provide important details about the way the MSP is run, and their strengths and weaknesses.
- Are they Gold-Level Partners with their vendors? A good MSP should have good working relationships with all the major platforms and software you’ll need. MSPs who’ve done the work to become preferred partners have access to better bulk buying terms and faster access to their vendor’s service experts, should problems arise.
- Are they strong on cybersecurity? A good MSP will have an operations center that’s SOC2/Type2 Certified, and will have access to all the cybersecurity tools and software your business will need to install to stay safe. They should be able to help you in cybersecurity strategy, compliance reporting, and more.
- What are the terms of their contracts? Some MSPs offer fully managed IT, while others only offer co-managed services or project based IT consulting. Some MSPs offer all three. Be sure to hammer out the details of how the MSP will interact with your company, what services they provide, and how those services will be billed.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What to Consider Before Outsourcing IT in 2025
According to the latest numbers from the MSP Alliance, more there are more than 40,000 managed IT service providers in the US, offering everything from simple “break/fix” consulting to high-level cybersecurity services. Choosing from that enormous field of options can be daunting, but with the right set of questions, you can narrow the field quickly. Here’s our quicik guide that answers the question: how do I choose the right managed IT provider? First let’s get a better understanding of what managed IT services cover.
Understanding Managed IT Services
A Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) is more than just a vendor for your business. They are a vital partner, helping you manage and build the information infrastructure your business runs on. This allows companies to offload key IT functions so their internal staff can focus on running their business.
Types of Managed IT Contracts:
There are types of managed IT arrangements to suit every need. You can
Fully Managed Services: The MSP takes full responsibility for all IT functions, including monitoring, maintenance, software licensing, help desk, and support, as a start.
Co-Managed Services: The MSP works alongside your in-house IT team, providing additional support and expertise as needed. Contracts like this may be for some of your system needs, like cybersecurity or license management. However, for the portion that the MSP handles, they will most likely handle patching, reporting, monitoring, and governance around this piece.
On-Demand Services: The MSP provides services on an as-needed basis, allowing for flexibility and cost control. This contract is used when an MSP works for a defined period on a large-scale project.
Common Services Offered by MSPs:
Network Management: Monitoring, patching, reporting, and maintaining network infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and security.
Cybersecurity: performing cybersecurity assessments, managing your suite of cybersecurity SaaS tools, installing firewalls, administering security awareness training for employees, and ensuring that your
Data Backup and Recovery: Ensuring data is regularly backed up and can be quickly restored in case of data loss.
Cloud Services: Managing cloud infrastructure and services, including migration, maintenance, and optimization.
Help Desk Support: Providing technical support to resolve IT issues quickly and efficiently.
IT Consulting: Offering strategic advice and planning to align IT initiatives with business goals.
By understanding these aspects of managed IT services, decision-makers can make informed choices that align with their business needs and objectives.
How Do I Choose the Right Managed IT Services Provider? Five Issues to Consider
When considering outsourcing your IT needs, it’s crucial to evaluate several key factors to ensure you choose the right managed service provider (MSP) for your business. Here are five critical issues that can help you answer the question: how do I choose the right managed IT services provider?.
#1—Assessing Your Needs: How Will an MSP Impact Your IT Staff?
Before engaging with an MSP, it’s essential to assess how this partnership will affect your existing IT team. Will the MSP complement your in-house staff, or will it replace certain roles? Understanding this dynamic is crucial for maintaining morale and ensuring a smooth transition.
You should ask your team a number of questions. Would it be better to offload it strategic services like advanced cyber security governance? Or, would it be easier to have a managed IT service provider that handles day-to-day administrative tasks like license management, onboarding and off boarding, and help desk services? In many smaller organizations, there may be no IT staff at all. In this case, you’ll need an MSP that can handle all your needs while interfacing well with your C-suite and administrative management.
#2—How Scalable Are Their Services?
Scalability is a vital factor when choosing an MSP. Your business needs today might be different from your needs tomorrow. Ensure the MSP you select can scale its services to match your growth and adapt to changing technology requirements.
Ask potential providers about their ability to handle increased workloads and new projects. Can they quickly scale up their services if your business experiences rapid growth? An ideal contract will be tailored to the size of your organization, so you’re never paying for more than you need.
#3—Cost Considerations: What’s Included in Their Contract?
Understanding the cost structure of managed IT services is essential for budgeting and financial planning. It’s important to know exactly what is included in the MSP’s contract and what might incur additional charges.
Look for transparency in pricing and ensure that the contract covers all the services you need. Ask if the contract includes:
- Patching, monitoring,and maintenance for your systems and any software tools you might buy
- Local engineers who can handle installations and repairs on site, if needed
- Help desk services to support the tools or services you buy
- Assessments of your systems as part of their estimating process. MSPs often require upfront, paid assessments, so they can create a fully customized, “no-surprises” estimate.
- Yearly strategic planning and estimating, which is usually included with comprehensive managed service contracts
- A dedicated service team that works on your business
#4—Cybersecurity: Can They Cover Your Needs?
Cybersecurity is a top priority for any business, and ensuring that your MSP is up to the job is crucial. Ask if they:
- Have a staff with cybersecurity certifications to work on the tools they provide
- Have good relationships with the vendors of the cybersecurity tools, such as gold partnerships or “preferred” partnerships. This will ensure they can get quick assistance and answers from their providers when needed.
- Operate a SOC2-compliant operations center and operate up to the standards set by NIST and the government’s Shields Up program.
- Have additional Cybersecurity governance assistance available, such as the advanced services offered by virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs.)
#5—Can They Help You with Your Compliance Burden?
Compliance with industry regulations is a significant concern for many businesses, especially those in highly regulated sectors like healthcare, banking, or the legal industry. An MSP should be able to assist you in meeting these compliance requirements.
Ensure that the MSP has experience with the specific regulations that apply to your industry. They should be able to provide guidance on best practices and help implement necessary controls to maintain compliance. This includes regular audits, documentation, and reporting to regulatory bodies.
Many MSPs, like Integris, have divisions specifically dedicated to the IT needs of companies in specific industry verticals. For heavily regulated businesses, it may make sense to go with the national MSP with industry expertise than the MSP down the street. For an example of what this kind of industry-specific leadership looks like, check out our 200- employee-strong Financial Services Division or our new Legal IT practice.
How Do I Choose the Right Managed IT Service Provider in 2025? Give Integris a Look.
If you’re hiring a managed IT provider, consider Integris. We can help you walk through the planning and estimating process so you can come up with a custom-tailored estimate and defined IT strategy for the year. Contact us today for a free consultation.
