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Questions to Ask a Potential IT Business Partner
Strictly speaking, an IT Business Partner (also known as an IT Service Provider) manages a company’s Information Technology infrastructure (hardware, software, network security, etc.). However, it’s important to note that not all technology partners are the same.
Be aware: cheaper isn’t always better. In fact, choosing an IT partner solely on price can result in serious security vulnerabilities…eventually costing a business far more.
An ideal IT Business Partner should seek to create a strategic business partnership with each client, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of existing hardware and software, followed by recommendations that are customized for the client’s unique needs and plans for future growth. In addition, they should provide certified, experienced technicians who can offer round-the-clock support and practice proactive IT by ensuring all updates and patches are consistently applied.
Important Questions to Ask a Potential IT Business Partner:
- How long has your company been in business?
- How many employees do you have?
- How many of those employees are in the technical department?
- Which certifications does the technical team have (and can you provide copies of the certifications)?
- Does your company have liability insurance? How much does the policy cover? Can we see a copy of the policy?
- What types of technology services do you provide, beyond procurement and installation of servers and computers?
Benefits of an IT Business Partnership
Choosing the right IT Business Partner can benefit a company in several ways:
Cost Reduction
With an IT partner, a company pays a simple, fixed monthly rate for monitoring, updates and security. This type of service, known as Information Technology as a Service or ITaaS, typically costs a business far less than the overhead associated with an in-house IT team.
Real Network Security
Every device connected to your network provides a potential access point for a hacker, and it takes just one breach to bring business to a screeching halt. A dedicated MSP keeps a vigilant watch over your network, always working to keep unauthorized parties out.
Data Backup and Recovery
Natural disasters, fires and other causes of data loss can happen. If they do, you can rest assured that your systems are backed up regularly by your IT partner, who will see that your data is restored and proper disaster recovery practices are in place.
Extensive Knowledge of Business Applications
MSPs are well-versed in (and provide streamlined support for) many industry-specific Line-of-Business (LoB) applications that help businesses run faster, leaner and smarter.
Flexibility for the Future
A strategic MSP can help you plan for the future, whether you’re envisioning new office locations, enabling telecommuting for your team, or want to eventually move to the cloud. With a solid IT strategy in place, you’ll have the technology you need to support your business objectives, both now and years from now.
Why Choose Sunstate as Your IT Partner?
We’re in it for the long haul. We’ve built our business on our ability to understand our clients’ needs and help them achieve their goals, year after year. Our dedicated account reps and on-call technical experts ensure our clients never need to worry about their IT.
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