The new year is dawning, and businesses like yours are thinking about how their IT provider can help them crush their goals in 2025. Technology is a vital cog in the machine that delivers success, and it needs to be a major component in your business strategies.
Do you have an IT partner that supports that? Do they take care of you in the present, but also look towards future-proofing your systems? Are they growth-positive, progressive, forward thinkers in-tune with digital transformation and the benefits it can bring your business?
You deserve a managed IT services provider that’s all of the above in the coming year. If you’re looking to start afresh, or want to strengthen your existing partnership, there are a number of features you should be looking for in your tech partner. We’ve put together this Managed IT Services Wishlist to highlight what they are.
1. Proactive IT Support
A good MSP doesn’t take a break-fix approach. Instead, they’re proactively monitoring your systems 24/7. They identify risks and stop problems in the early stages before they snowball into bigger issues.
Regular updates to your software and systems means they’re secure and perform smoothly – like they’re meant to. Ongoing performance checks will keep your speed, uptime and efficiency optimised, minimising disruptions and allowing your team to go about their days with zero IT stresses.
2. Cybersecurity That Never Sleeps
If cybersecurity isn’t a cornerstone of your IT strategy, you’re going to be a victim of a cyber-attack. It’ll be expensive, damage your reputation and there’s even a chance you won’t recover from it.
You don’t want that threat hanging over your head in the year ahead. Choosing the right MSP will give you round the clock protection and peace of mind. An MSP like Smile IT, who offers a multi-layered security strategy across your data, devices and systems, with advanced threat detection, endpoint protection and disaster recovery services all part and parcel of it.
Bonus points go to the MSP that aligns with the Essential Eight mitigation strategies advocated for by the Australian Cyber Security Centre!
3. Scalability for Future Growth
If this is a year for growth, you want an IT provider who can help you scale effortlessly. Whether you’re expanding your team or entering new markets, as your partner in technology Smile IT will help you adapt and grow. We offer flexible solutions based on your demand and focused on scalable cloud environments, and will be there for you during long-term and short-term growth.
4. Transparent Communication and Reporting
Trust is essential in your relationship with your managed IT services provider, and at the heart of trust lies clear, honest and transparent communications. It’s not just about the regular IT health reports, insights and updates – it’s about speaking in non-technical jargon that doesn’t go over your head. Candid talk about challenges, solutions and budgets. Conversations that build healthy, strong and lasting relationships.
5. Rapid Response Times
Every second counts when you’ve got an IT crisis on your hands. Reliability and responsiveness are essential in your IT provider – otherwise you can expect extended downtime and unhappy clients.
If you’re signing up with a new MSP this year, make sure they offer 24/7 helpdesk support (preferably with a local helpdesk who understand the context your business is operating in.) Also read their SLA (Service Level Agreement) carefully to get an idea of the timeline offered for issue resolution and support responses.
Rapid response times also keep your team focuses on their work instead of troubleshooting IT issues. It’s a win-win for productivity!
6. Comprehensive Backup and Disaster Recovery
A disaster doesn’t necessarily need to be cybersecurity-related. Floods, fires, or human error are all significant events that could affect your data storage and business continuity. You need to have tangible steps in place to deal with these and keep your data safe. These steps are known as a ‘Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan’.
The plan should include regular backups of your critical data to the cloud or to secure off-site locations. A step-by-step methodology to reinstate your data and get your systems back up and running should be in place too, ensuring you’re ready to recover from any setback.
7. Predictable Budgets
No business likes bill shock at the end of the month. Predictability means peace of mind, so an IT provider with a fixed and transparent pricing model will mean less headaches for your business and its accounts. No hidden costs and no sudden spikes – just strategic solutions that drive value and let you focus on growth.
8. Solutions Customised for Your Business
Your business is unique, and you don’t want a cookie-cutter IT solution. You want a provider who can take on board your vision and your goals, delivering a customised technology strategy that helps you achieve them.
They need to be willing to adapt and adjust as your business evolves, walking with you finding solutions to the unique challenges that arise in your sector.
9. IT Consulting
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our MSP needs to be more than simply a provider of IT services. They should be your tech advisor, guiding you through the digital landscape and helping you make the right decisions about your technology investments. You should expect the following from them:
- IT roadmaps that align tech strategies with your business goals.
- Technology assessments to identify opportunities.
- Guidance on tech tools and solutions to support your business and improve your systems.
If they offer strategic IT consulting, your MSP helps drive your business agenda rather than simply being a support function.
10. Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation
You want to stay ahead of the pack, right? Keep the competition firmly in the rear-view mirror? Using cutting-edge technology is a solid way to achieve this, and for that you need the right MSP on your side. They need to have their finger on the pulse of the latest developments in the Saas and IT space and be able to filter through what’s out there and land on the best fit for your organisation. They need to be on top of recent AI and automation trends and advise how they can be used to empower your business.
Contact the MSP who Goes Further
There you go, that’s the 10 things you should be asking of your existing or new managed IT services provider. Remember, you’re looking for a company that becomes your tech partner rather than simply providing IT support. They need to be invested in your success and committed to bringing productivity and efficiency to your workplace.
Smile IT is ready to provide you with a year of growth, security and innovation. We’re a Brisbane-based managed IT services provider who put your success first and do everything we can to help you achieve it. If you’re looking for future-ready IT support and strategic tech guidance, we’re here to help. Get in touch today.
When he’s not writing tech articles or turning IT startups into established and consistent managed service providers, Peter Drummond can be found kitesurfing on the Gold Coast or hanging out with his family!