When the time comes to select between near similar items, everyone faces a dilemma. The bard of English literature had also drawn a similar expression in his classics which could be rephrased to state to choose or not to choose, that is the question. Long after a decision has been finalised, the lingering feeling of uncertainty persists. This dilemma is prevalent in the information technology field too and therefore the question of how to choose the best managed service provider software is indeed one worthy of consideration. What are the basic benefits that one aims to achieve from this selection governs the reply to the question of how to choose the best managed service. Every managed service provider claims of certain basic features in their product and these all are well aware of. Providing information on the working of the network as well as a single point where the solutions could be implemented across the entire network. Every MSP software in the market today also mentions about it being customisable in order for it to adapt to the changing requirements of the business house. If these so claimed features were to be changed to reality how then would it effect the real enterprise functioning or the network managers job would be the guiding factor for choosing the best managed service provider.
It is important to note that the client pays a third party for maintaining and monitoring its network resources. This is the basic business principle on which any managed service system works. The selected MSP should therefore be a proactive one. Waiting for an error or problem to occur on the network and then attending or rectifying it should not be the MSP's method of operation. The MSP should be such that it is able to sense the defect before it occurs and initiate preventive measures to stop the error from occurring and causing any harm to the network. If Murphy's Law is to be accepted, then it is a well established probability factor that a breakdown of the network is inevitable even with all proactive agents at work. The MSP in such a case should be able to respond quickly to the situation and restore the network back to its normal function swiftly. Criticality of the data and the applications that process this data of an enterprise network needs no amplification. The MSP is expected to restore the network to a clean point of operation where the data and application both were functioning correctly. MSP that takes regular backups of the entire network and archives the same would be able to complete the restoration process efficiently.
One other factor to be considered for choosing the best managed service provider is the knowledge base of the MSP about the current IT field. Being an ever changing one, frequent new upgrades and newer technology arrive into the market. MSP which can advise the management on this new technology as well as provide methods for implementing the same are a guiding factor for selecting an MSP.
An MSP with lax security features would be very dangerous to the health of the enterprise. Holes in the security of an MSP are vantage points for malicious programs to enter into the network and wreak havoc with the data and the application software too. MSP with high features in its security aspects is to be selected. Last but not the least, how efficient is the service provider itself and specially if referred by other sites where the provider has implemented some MSP would be a factor in favour of selecting a particular MSP.
As a check off list the ideas stated here could help to choose the best managed service provider.
