A recent article from BizTech discusses the benefits of IT managed services for small businesses. With a high-quality managed services provider, small businesses can save money and benefit from improved productivity. The managed services provider takes over potentially time-consuming tasks, strengthens cyber security and finds powerful IT solutions that will make business operations more efficient.
However, as emphasized in the article, the key is to find the right provider. There are several important criteria for high-quality providers, and among them is the ability to engage in close, regular and meaningful communication.
Why is communication important?
When a manage services provider communicates with you regularly, you can keep track of their progress, find out if there’s anything resulting in a delay, and check if their efforts are leading to measurably positive results.
Transparency is key. If they’re working in secret, you won’t know if their services are effective. Similarly, if they aren’t providing you with concrete measures of progress or clear explanations, you won’t really know if they’re benefiting you in any important way.
It’s also crucial to remember that communication needs to go both ways. You need to meet with them on a regular basis and express your own needs clearly. Your managed services provider won’t be able to help you effectively if they don’t understand your business operations and objectives. Let them know about the direction you see your business going in and how they can help you get there.
Make sure you regularly schedule time with your manage services provider to discuss goals, progress and concerns. Without effective communication, you won’t get as much benefit from them. Contact us to further discuss the qualities you need in a strong managed services provider.