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.
The answer to this question of how to choose the best managed service lies in the aspect of what benefits do we wish to accrue from this selection. The basic features claimed in every managed service provider software are something all are well versed with. That it should provide information about the network and its working. That it should help in diagnosing the network problem and offer means to deploy the solution network wide from one single location. That it should be customisable to meet the changing needs of the business house and its operations are all well established facts and known to exist in every MSP software that is available in the market.
How these features are adapted to suit the business house's needs and how these features are implemented that it makes the task of network management an easier task to be performed are the factors that need to be looked into while replying the query of how to choose the best managed service. 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. With all preventive measures in place given Murphy and his laws on probability, there is bound to be a breakdown in the network. Quick response by the MSP to rescue and restore the network is another measureable criterion for selection of the MSP. A network without the data and the application programs running on it is of no use. In case of a crash or break in the network there would be need to restore the complete system to a point where everything was clean. For this reason the MSP should have been taking regular backups which would be used during the restore process. The MSP must also be able to advise the client on the various changes that are occurring in the volatile IT field and the possibility or feasibility of implementing the same in the existing network for higher efficiency.
Data in the correct hands is wealth and when it lands into wrong hands is the primary reason for the company or organisation's ill health. The MSP therefore should have a robust security tier in place, sniffing and guarding the system from any malicious threats.
Credentials of the managed service provider are one other important aspect to be checked and verified prior to deciding on the particular one. Obtaining reference of MSP projects provided and running at other installations would be a good method to check the MSP's authenticity and effectiveness. These could be taken as the guidelines on how to choose the best managed service provider amongst the many that would be offering their services.
