Three red flags when evaluating or working with a managed IT provider
Businesses today depend more and more on managed IT providers to help them with their operations.
With the global managed services market predicted to reach 274 billion US dollars in 2026, if you haven’t yet tied up with a managed IT provider, there is every likelihood that you will do so in the near future.
However, with so many managed IT providers out there, you should carry out your own due diligence to ensure that you work with one that helps your business grow and achieve new heights. Here are three red flags when evaluating or working with a managed IT provider.
1) Failure to advise you to update software
A critical red flag on the part of your IT provider is not advising you to update your software regularly. Cybercriminals and hackers are becoming more inventive in attacking corporate IT infrastructure.
As a result, operating system companies and anti-virus/anti-malware software companies release updates and patches regularly to address any system vulnerabilities. Regular software updates are vital in protecting your business from cybercrime.
Missing out on even a single software update can leave your network open for access by cybercriminals and cause you to lose not only your valuable business data but may also crash your systems altogether.
If you’re a business operating in California, you should consider working with USWired in San Diego to address your managed IT service requirements, which will include advice to update your software regularly.
2) Not addressing your IT issues and support requests promptly
With IT support leading the way when it comes to a business function for your company to outsource, it is essential that you work with a managed IT provider who is prompt in addressing any IT issues and support requests promptly.
Suppose you face a situation wherein your support tickets are taking a lot of time for your IT provider to resolve and you aren’t getting a straight answer from the IT provider as to the reasons behind the delay. In that case, you should probably look for another company to help you with your managed IT requirements.
Another warning sign to be aware of is if the number of outstanding tickets goes up every month. Keep in mind that this number should ideally decrease over time as the managed IT provider will get to know your business in more depth.
These two issues indicate that the company you’re working with may be struggling with manpower issues and, in all probability, won’t be able to help you with your business IT needs.
3) You’re quoted pricing that is suspiciously low
If you receive quotes from a managed IT provider that is drastically low compared to other companies, you should take a step back to ask yourself why they’re offering such low prices. Keep in mind that there are fixed costs when employing a team of high-quality staff, giving them access to the latest software tools, and providing them regular training to equip them with current knowledge in their industry.
Low-cost providers will struggle with the area of cybersecurity. After all, providing solid levels of cybersecurity to their clients means that IT providers need to educate their staff with regular training on ever-innovative cyberthreats and arm them with access to up-to-date software tools.
Furthermore, internal cybersecurity is as critical as external cybersecurity in view of recent reports of cyberattacks that targeted MSPs. In such attacks, the MSP is infiltrated by hackers who piggyback on the MSP’s privileged accounts to get access to their clients.
In such a scenario, you must work with a qualified managed IT provider who will not cut corners. And that means you should be wary of extra-low pricing.
