Back

4 Traits Every Company Should Look for in an IT Support Provider

Finding a trusted IT provider is like searching for a life partner The decision shouldnt be taken lightly Migrating email servers or backing up yo...

4 min read
Published on Mar 15, 2016
4-traits-to-look-for-in-an-it-support-provider

Finding a trusted IT provider is like searching for a life partner. The decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. Migrating email servers or backing up your company data can take weeks — often months — to complete, and your IT partner needs to develop a deep understanding of your business and IT needs to make smart recommendations throughout your partnership. If you’ve had a poor experience with an IT company in the past, the search for a managed service provider might feel a little painful. Maybe you weren’t a priority to the company or they stirred up more problems than they solved. At any rate, you have ongoing IT needs and must find an IT partner that can deliver.

Gain an IT Partner for Life

Of course, vetting experience should be your first step. Your IT partner should provide concrete examples of client success, provide full transparency into their process and set realistic expectations based on real experience. Your business and IT needs are constantly changing. You need an IT provider who’s in it for the long haul. Before hiring just any company, there are a few relationship deal breakers you need to consider for a healthier, more productive long-term relationship:

1. They hold frequent reviews.

Before signing on with an IT company, you need to investigate their review process. Your IT liaison should plan to meet with you quarterly to answer any lingering questions, stay updated on your business and anticipate any future IT needs.

At Agile IT, we hold quarterly review sessions with every client to ensure they’re fully leveraging their technology investment and get their questions answered. Always ask how often a potential partner plans to meet with you during and post-project. If they don’t make your company a priority, you may want to look elsewhere.

2. They forecast future IT challenges and needs.

While this point coincides with quarterly meetings, your IT provider should also take a vested interest in your business growth and be able to plan for office moves, migrations or any other IT services you may need. Companies that anticipate decisions like these will help you stay ahead of IT problems and avoid crisis mode.

Your business goals and IT needs largely overlap. That’s why we record and follow up on our clients’ quarterly and yearly business goals to plan for their IT needs and recommend critical solutions.

For instance, because we knew a client planned to expand overseas, we walked him through key components of an office move such as prestaging the environment, updating routers and plugging in hardware to get ahead of the project and avoid surprises. By tapping into our clients’ IT vision and strategy, we stay responsive to IT needs rather than reactionary.

3. They openly and honestly address your IT questions & concerns.

Do you feel comfortable asking a potential IT partner questions about their services or experience and feel you get honest answers in return? No IT company can realistically complete every project out there, but they should be eager to answer your questions, open about their capabilities and willing to connect you to the right resources.

Our customers bring us all kinds of IT questions and project requests, and we encourage it — even if we can’t do it ourselves. When a client recently asked for help launching a consumer app, we offered to assist with the backend services such as setting up the PaaS and recommended a company with more experience in app development to lead the project.

4. They act as a mentor, not just a problem-solver.

As an admin and user, you will inevitably run into problems or questions and need answers fast; that’s what a managed service provider is there for. But true IT partners also serve as mentors — guiding you through the tough questions and acting as a source for ongoing education.

At Agile IT, we take a teaching approach to IT. Rather than simply clean up messes, we educate clients about their problems and empower them to make more informed decisions regarding their IT environments.

Whether you’re migrating to the cloud, seeking reliable backup for existing infrastructure, looking for a managed service provider or all of the above, relying on a trusted IT partner will help you unlock the efficiency, reliability and productivity-boosting capabilities of IT. Taking time to find a proven IT partner who understands your business goals, offers ongoing mentorship and guides you through complex IT decisions will pay dividends over time. Need answers to your pressing IT questions, or want to learn more about our managed services? Connect with us today, and we’d be happy to help!

This post has matured and its content may no longer be relevant beyond historical reference. To see the most current information on a given topic, click on the associated category or tag.

Related Posts

Risks of not using a CMMC RPO

The Risks of Not Using a CMMC RPO for Compliance and Certification Readiness

A CMMC RPO helps organizations prepare for certification and avoid compliance failures. Learn why working with an RPO is essential for achieving CMMC compliance.

Mar 20, 2025
8 min read
CMMC 2.0 Require GCC High for Compliance

Does CMMC 2.0 Require GCC High for Compliance?

Does CMMC 2.0 require GCC High? Learn the cloud options for compliance, data security, and protecting CUI under NIST 800-171 and DFARS.

Mar 17, 2025
10 min read
Office 365 License Comparison: Business Plans Vs. E5, E3 and E1

CMMC RPO vs a C3PAO: Understanding Their Roles in Compliance

Understanding the difference between an RPO and a C3PAO is crucial for CMMC compliance. Learn why they should be separate and how an RPO helps prepare for certification.

Mar 15, 2025
6 min read
Can You Meet CMMC with Google Workspace?

Can You Meet CMMC with Google Workspace?

Is Google Workspace CMMC compliant? Learn about its DFARS, NIST 800-171, and ITAR limitations and how migrating to GCC High ensures full compliance.

Mar 4, 2025
7 min read
Is Maintaining a GCC High Tenant Worth It for Non-Government

Evaluating the Need for a GCC High Tenant in Non-Government Organizations

Explore whether maintaining a GCC High tenant is necessary for organizations not involved in government work. Understand the pros and cons, costs, and compliance considerations.

Feb 25, 2025
7 min read
Top 10 Reasons to Partner with an MSP for Security and Compliance

Top 10 Reasons to Partner with an MSP for Security and Compliance

Discover why partnering with an MSP for security and compliance is critical for organizations navigating FAR CUI and CMMC requirements.

Feb 21, 2025
8 min read

Ready to Secure and Defend Your Data
So Your Business Can Thrive?

Fill out the form to see how we can protect your data and help your business grow.

Loading...
Secure. Defend. Thrive.

Let's start a conversation

Discover more about Agile IT's range of services by reaching out.

Don't want to wait for us to get back to you?

Schedule a Free Consultation

Location

Agile IT Headquarters
4660 La Jolla Village Drive #100
San Diego, CA 92122

Secure. Defend. Thrive.

Don't want to wait for us to get back to you?

Discover more about Agile IT's range of services by reaching out

Schedule a Free Consultation