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Top 5 FAQs About Choosing the Right IT Services in Boston

    

Top 5 FAQs About Choosing the Right IT Services in Boston

According to Statista, small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are expected to increase their spending on technology to $684 billion by 2021. This is a significant uptick from the $602 billion spent in 2018. However, as SMBs continue to spend on new technologies, they often run into the issue of not having someone on staff who is able to effectively manage that new technology. Having to rely on outside resources is a growing trend, and IT services in Boston are in high demand as a result. Finding the right partner to help with managed IT services takes a bit of work, though. Knowing some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to managed IT services can help you find the right team to come in and assist.

What Are Managed IT Services?

It makes sense to start with understanding what managed service providers are and what they can do for you.

Managed IT service providers hire people with experience and expertise in specific areas of technology. They may specialize in cybersecurity solutions such as firewalls, malware protection, or application security. Others specialize in other technologies such as Microsoft Azure, identity and authentication management (IAM), enterprise resource planning solutions, and just about any other technology you can think of.

When a business lacks staff members with specialties in particular technologies, they contract with managed service providers (MSPs). The team from the MSP manages these specialized technologies for the business. It is like having an on-call staff to help with areas of technology that the business needs.

What to Consider When Choosing a Managed IT Services Provider in Boston

Whether you are looking for managed IT services in Boston or anywhere else, you need to know what to look for.

The right MSP partner will have a deep bench of talent with specialties in a wide range of skills. Some MSPs have a few people on staff who handle everything, from cloud services to setting up Microsoft Azure all the way to securing the infrastructure. However, in today’s age of specialized technology, this model no longer works for very long.

When considering a managed services provider, you need to look for one that:

  • Has employees with experience and expertise in the technologies you are running or plan to implement
  • Has enough employees to fully service your needs
  • Is available when you need them 24/7
  • Provides project management, implementation, and support
  • Can provide you with guidance on technology needs to support business growth
  • Has contacts with different vendors to help get you support with features and other requests

How Can a Managed Services Provider Help with Data Backup and Disaster Recovery?

Data backup and disaster recovery needs have grown since the advent of different regulations and laws that govern e-discovery. Businesses are increasingly reliant on their data availability, and it is no longer good enough to run a simple incremental backup to a network share.

The right managed services provider will conduct an assessment of your critical business software and data. This will give them a starting point for creating a disaster recovery plan that will focus on getting your business-critical systems back up and running should something happen.

On top of that, your MSP will ensure your backup and recovery plan works by testing it from end to end. You won’t be caught with a backup that contains corrupted data after a disaster if you have the right MSP helping you.

Can IT Services Help with Building an IT Security Roadmap?

Security is an ever-changing landscape. With multiple points of attack, businesses that do not have an IT security roadmap that dictates their plan for protecting systems and data often pay a hefty price.

An MSP with experience in securing businesses will help create a roadmap that addresses the existing threat landscape specific to your industry. Additionally, their knowledge will help you build a plan that proactively addresses unknown threats. Protecting against these zero-day attacks is what separates solid MSP partners from those that don’t have the right personnel in place.

Can IT Services Recommend Whether to Move to the Cloud?

Your IT services partner should begin by understanding your business. They should take the time to understand your business goals, your plans for growth, and what you need to do to succeed.

According to 451 Research, 90 percent of companies are expected to be using cloud services by 2020. Your IT services provider will be able to help recommend if and when you should move to the cloud, what services and solutions you should move, and which type of cloud environment is right for you. 

If you have questions about how IT services in Boston can help your business deal with the security issues that surround today’s technology, read the Essential Guide to IT Security. Not only will it give you a better view of the threat landscape your business faces, but it will also help you better understand how a team of experienced professionals can help you avoid being a victim. 

The Essential Guide to IT Security Strategy

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