A couple of years ago, we shared some ideas about what to look for in a Managed Services Provider (MSP), an increasingly important decision in a shifting technological landscape. And oh boy, how the world has changed since then.
We have all witnessed the way, among many other consequences, the pandemic forced adaptation within the business world. While some principles are more or less set in stone, we have all had to do some re-evaluating, re-prioritizing, and re-thinking. One thing that has borne itself out, though, is that managed offerings and Technology as a Service (TaaS) are here to stay.
With that in mind, we’ve done some re-evaluating of our own, and reworked our top three tips for selecting a technology services partner in 2022:
1. Versatility still matters; even more so than before.
Much like two years ago, your business presumably still relies on a suite of technologies across an interconnected network. Going forward, the ability to leverage connected systems alongside one another and get the most out of each of them will remain crucial. As such, it’s key to have a versatile technology partner who provides a one-stop-shop and can help you navigate the process of optimizing your integrated technologies.
But that’s not the only kind of versatility that matters. It is equally valuable for a technology partner to be adaptable in a pinch. When nearly the entire world shifted to remote or hybrid work environments overnight, the business world immediately split into two categories: those who were prepared, and those who weren’t. An ideal technology partner isn’t just providing the bare minimum, but also proactively building resilience within your technology suite. Because if your business is knocked off-course immediately by every potential disruption, what is your technology even good for?
2. Nothing is a solution unless it’s futureproofed.
These days, it’s more important than ever to be making decisions with one eye on the present and one looking ahead. As we’ve discussed many times, large capital purchases are increasingly becoming a thing of the past, and as-a-Service packaging offers a much more forward-thinking purchasing model.
But beyond the purchasing model, what about the technology itself? Is your MSP offering you the opportunity to run on the latest and best technology? Are they maintaining relationships with high-end manufacturers, anticipating industry trends, and proactively making sure that the service they provide you will still show value several years from now? If not, they’re not providing solutions; they’re just pushing your problems down the road a bit.
Insist on a partner you can trust to put you first.
Another profound lesson the last couple of years have reinforced is the importance of having quality people around you. In challenging times, being surrounded by people you can rely on makes a world of difference. And while the worst of the pandemic may be behind us, there are certainly continued challenges ahead at present.
Supply chain shortages and increased material costs continue to cause difficulties across all industries. And more broadly, as you’ve no doubt heard dozens of times, the way forward is much less about getting back to normal than adjusting to a “new normal.” The best technology providers are communicative and responsive, but it doesn’t stop there. A true partner knows your business inside and out, actively invests in building relationships, and can be counted on to put in the extra hours when you need them the most. You’d expect it of a friend in your personal life; why not ask the same of the people you’ve chosen to empower your business?
