In the era of digitization, Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) have become indispensable allies for businesses across various scales. These technologically adept professionals play a crucial role in overseeing IT infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations, and enhancing security. However, the task of selecting the most suitable Service Provider is no small feat.

IT Service Providers have evolved into essential partners for businesses, offering specialized expertise, proactive management, and optimization of IT services. Their status has shifted from being optional to becoming strategic partners, underscoring the significance of making a judicious selection.

The abundance of providers in the market makes choosing the right MSP a challenging endeavor. A misstep in this decision-making process can result in inefficiencies and complications. Therefore, careful consideration is essential.

This blog aims to guide you through the process of selecting the optimal Service Provider. From comprehending your IT needs to assessing the qualifications and pricing of Managed IT Service Providers, we will provide you with the necessary insights to make an informed decision. By the end of this journey, you will be well-equipped to establish a successful partnership with an MSP that aligns perfectly with your business. Let’s commence by evaluating your distinctive IT requirements.

The Qualities of a Good MSP

Selecting the right Managed Service Provider is a crucial decision for businesses, as MSPs play a central role in maintaining IT infrastructure. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to assess the key qualities of an MSP.

When considering an MSP’s technical expertise, certifications, and ongoing training are indicators of their commitment to staying current with industry standards. Equally important is their industry-specific experience, ensuring they understand your sector’s unique challenges and opportunities.
In terms of service offerings, an MSP should provide a broad range of services, simplify IT management, and offer scalability to accommodate your evolving needs.
A vital aspect is their reliability and availability, with 24/7 support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime, reducing the risk of costly downtime.
Lastly, cybersecurity practices and regulatory compliance are paramount, as a trustworthy MSP should protect your data and ensure your IT environment aligns with relevant regulations.
These qualities collectively form the foundation of a successful partnership with an MSP, ensuring your business’s technological backbone is in capable hands.

1. Reputation and References

When assessing Managed Service Providers, their reliability and competence can be gauged through their reputation and references. Here’s a guide on how to evaluate this crucial aspect:

Research and Reviews: Initiate your evaluation by researching the MSP’s reputation. Delve into online reviews, forums, and social media platforms to gather feedback from both current and former clients. Pay close attention to recurring themes and overall satisfaction levels expressed by these clients.

Case Studies and Testimonials: Gain deeper insights into an MSP’s capabilities by examining case studies and testimonials. These real-world examples shed light on how the MSP has successfully addressed specific challenges and requirements of their clients. Request case studies that are relevant to your industry or specific IT needs to better assess the MSP’s competence.

Asking for Referrals: Do not hesitate to seek referrals directly from the MSP. Speaking with their current clients provides an unfiltered perspective on the quality of service, communication, and overall partnership experience. This step is invaluable in verifying the MSP’s reputation and performance.

2. Pricing and Contracts

Understanding the financial aspects of an MSP relationship is crucial to making an informed decision. Here’s what to consider in this regard:

Transparent Pricing– Ensure that the MSP provides transparent pricing. Pricing models should be precise, with no hidden fees or unexpected costs. A good MSP will offer straightforward pricing structures that align with your required services.

Contract Flexibility– MSP contracts should be flexible to accommodate your evolving needs. They should not lock you into long-term commitments that hinder your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Seek contracts that can be adjusted as your business grows or shifts direction.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For– Be vigilant about hidden costs that can disrupt your budget. Investigate the contract thoroughly to identify any potential hidden fees. These might include charges for additional services, out-of-scope work, or penalties for early termination. A transparent MSP will clarify all potential extra costs upfront.

3. Communication and Partnership

Effective communication and a robust partnership are imperative for a successful relationship with a Service Provider. Consider the following criteria in this context:

Accessibility and Responsiveness: Evaluate the MSP’s accessibility and responsiveness. Swift and reliable communication is essential when addressing issues. An effective MSP should be reachable 24/7 and provide timely updates regarding the status of your IT environment.

Alignment with Your Business: Select an MSP that aligns with your business’s culture, values, and objectives. Shared understanding of your company’s goals enables the MSP to better cater to your needs and function as an extension of your team.

Collaboration and Reporting: Seek an MSP that prioritizes collaboration and transparent reporting. Regular updates on the performance of your IT systems, security status, and areas for improvement are critical. A collaborative approach ensures that you and the MSP work together toward common objectives.

4. Technology Stack and Innovation

A forward-thinking IT Services Provider should possess the capability to enhance your IT environment through technology and innovation. Consider the following aspects:

Evaluation of Tools and Technologies – An MSP should demonstrate proficiency in the latest tools and technologies. Regular assessments of the efficiency and relevance of your current technology stack should be conducted, with recommendations for improvements or updates as necessary to optimize your IT infrastructure.

Adoption of Modern Solutions – Opt for an MSP that actively embraces modern solutions. Whether it’s cloud computing, virtualization, or automation, the MSP should be enthusiastic about implementing innovative technologies that can enhance productivity and security.

Future-Proofing Your IT – Future-proofing is of utmost importance. The MSP should strategically plan for your long-term success by anticipating changes in technology and business needs. This may involve developing an IT roadmap that ensures your systems remain both relevant and efficient as your business evolves.

5. Disaster Recovery and Contingency Plans

In an ever-changing world, having well-defined disaster recovery and contingency plans is imperative. Evaluate your MSP’s approach in these crucial areas:

Backup and Recovery Strategies: An MSP must establish resilient backup and recovery strategies to safeguard your data in the event of system failures, cyberattacks, or other disasters. Regular testing of these strategies is indispensable to ensure their effectiveness.

Business Continuity Planning: Your MSP should assist you in developing a business continuity plan that outlines procedures for maintaining operations in challenging circumstances. This plan should be customized to address your specific needs and potential risks.

Data Security Measures: Prioritizing data security is essential. Your MSP should implement rigorous security measures, including data encryption, intrusion detection, and regular security assessments, to shield your sensitive information from potential threats.

6. Scalability and Growth

A successful partnership with an MSP should actively support the growth and adaptability of your business. Take into account the following considerations:

Addressing Future Needs: Opt for an MSP capable of seamlessly accommodating your expanding IT requirements. Whether you’re scaling up operations or facing changes in demand, your chosen MSP should ensure that your technology infrastructure can flexibly scale to meet these evolving needs.

Navigating Expansion and Downturns: A flexible MSP should assist you in navigating both expansion phases and downturns in your business cycle. They should offer solutions for resource allocation that align with your specific circumstances, facilitating a smooth adjustment to varying demands.

Adapting to Market Trends: Remaining in tune with market trends is essential. Your MSP should possess a thorough understanding of industry shifts and technological advancements, actively assisting your business in staying competitive and responsive to the dynamic changes in the market.

Finalizing Your Decision

As you approach the final stages of choosing the ideal Service Provider (MSP), these last steps will guide you in making a well-informed and confident decision:

Comparative Analysis and Assessment: Dedicate time to compare and assess the MSPs you have researched. Compile a comprehensive list of their strengths and weaknesses, considering factors such as technical expertise, service offerings, reputation, and other qualities covered in this guide.

Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Negotiation: Initiating the request for proposals (RFPs) from the shortlisted MSPs is a pivotal step. These proposals should furnish detailed insights into their services, pricing, and expectations. When evaluating the proposals, ensure alignment with your goals and objectives.

Final Decision-Making: Armed with all the gathered information and concluded negotiations, it’s now time to make your ultimate choice. Opt for the MSP that closely aligns with your needs, provides transparency, and exhibits a dedication to your success.

Conclusion

Navigating the extensive realm of Managed Service Providers poses a challenge when seeking the ideal partner to steer your IT endeavors. Yet, a systematic approach encompassing the evaluation of technical expertise, service offerings, reputation, and various other factors can chart a course for success. Notably, Protected Harbor boasts a Five Star Google rating, and in 2022, it earned the esteemed title of the Best MSP Company in the nation as per the Best of Small Business Awards. Their dedication to delivering exemplary service and innovative solutions epitomizes the qualities one should seek in an MSP. With this assurance, you are now poised to confidently embark on your IT journey, as the keys to success within your IT environment are well within reach.

Are you prepared to embark on your business’s journey with the perfect Managed IT Service Provider? Reach out to us today for personalized guidance and support in discovering the ideal MSP to navigate your unique IT requirements. Your IT success story awaits!

The 7 Mistakes That No Application Developer Should Make

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The 7 Mistakes All Application Developers Need to Avoid Featured

Prior to discussing specific errors, it’s critical to comprehend the underlying causes of the majority of problems we run into. Because technology has grown so complicated, educational institutions have had to establish information silos in order to comprehend and instruct it. Regretfully, they are a useful tool for managing technology inside an organization. Silos of information, however, get in the way of your aim of achieving optimal performance—that is, balancing cost, durability, and performance.

Information silos have resulted in subpar performance, finger-pointing across departments, skyrocketing prices, and/or disgruntled clients, as we have seen and witnessed. This typically has a significant effect on the reputation of a business and your application.

Here are 7 specific mistakes we encounter all too often:

Suboptimal Resource Allocation: Without a clear understanding of the application’s requirements, the deployment team might either allocate excessive resources (leading to higher costs) or insufficient resources (leading to performance issues). Both scenarios are inefficient and can adversely affect user satisfaction.
Deployment Failures: A lack of coordination can lead to situations where the application might not deploy correctly or even fail to deploy at all. For instance, developers might assume a certain environment setup that the deployment team isn’t aware of.
Lack of Scalability: Developers might design applications assuming certain scalability features. If the deployment team isn’t in sync, they might not provision resources in a manner that supports this scalability, potentially causing system crashes or slowdowns during high-usage periods.
Ineffective Scalability Planning: (different then a lack of) Without collaborative discussions, developers might not design applications with scalability in mind, or they might make assumptions that don’t align with the deployment team’s capacity planning. For instance, a developer might assume that scaling up resources in response to increased demand is straightforward, while the deployment team knows that there are budgetary or logistical constraints. This can lead to situations where an application cannot effectively scale to meet user demand, leading to performance bottlenecks and user dissatisfaction.
Security Vulnerabilities: If developers aren’t in sync with the deployment team, certain security measures might be overlooked. For example, developers might be unaware of security policies enforced on the infrastructure, which can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities.
Increased Troubleshooting Time: In the event of post-deployment issues, disjointed information and lack of prior coordination can make pinpointing problems challenging. This can lead to extended downtimes, affecting both performance and user satisfaction.
Inefficient Cost Management: Without coordination, there could be unexpected costs. For instance, developers might design applications expecting them to run continuously, while the deployment team, aiming to save costs, might have scheduled resources to be available only at certain times. Such mismatches can result in application downtimes or unexpected cost overruns.

How to avoid the mistakes

It’s harder than you think, but it’s also easier than you think. The key to the answer is in appropriately adjusting the available human resources, not in any hardware, software, or technological advancement.

While their areas of expertise differ, infrastructure teams, developers, and programmers share similar objectives. The infrastructure group constantly wants data to be processed and moved through the system in a secure and easy manner, whereas the programming and development groups are always concerned with the applications’ performance. When an issue arises between two groups that lack trust in one another, the default response is to plot against the other group. To find out how to solve this problem, click this link.

Infrastructure administrators and developers must work together in order for modern, agile, and effective IT operations. This is not only a good practice.

At Protected Harbor, we have been working with company’s teams to create environments that are not only stable but scalable, faster and at a reduced cost. Contact us today!

What Is Managed IT Services?

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With managed IT services, companies can delegate their IT operations to a specialized group that specializes in doing these tasks. Managed Service Providers(MSPs) like Protected Harbor are in charge of all or some of a company’s IT systems, depending on what is specified in a service level agreement (SLA). Generally, the client purchases IT equipment. Depending on the SLA, Managed Service Providers may offer 24/7 monitoring, problem-solving, reporting, and other services.
Managed service providers bill a fixed rate for providing their services for a predetermined length of time, as stated in the SLA. The SLA lays forth precisely what services will be provided, and to what extent, and includes metrics to gauge how well these services are performing.

Through the introduction of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) technologies, cloud computing has enabled managed IT services to grow beyond the regions and boundaries that would confine the average break/fix IT. Compared to in-house IT operations or break/fix providers, managed IT services may scale at a significantly faster and larger rate thanks to their features.

Key Terms & Definitions

Agent— A small program used by MSPs to remotely gather information about the status of machines and devices. Once installed, it allows MSPs to manage systems, update programs, and resolve issues.

Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR)— A combination of data backup and disaster recovery solutions that works cohesively to ensure an organization’s critical business functions will continue to operate despite serious incidents or disasters that might otherwise have interrupted them or will be recovered to an operational state within a reasonably short period.

Break/Fix— An older style for delivering IT services and repairs to organizations in a fee-for-service framework. Essentially, a client contacts a break/fix technician to request upgrades, maintenance, or to resolve issues, and the technician bills the customer upon completion of the work.

Fully Managed IT Services— Managed IT services that are coupled with a Network Operations Center to proactively monitor systems, resolve issues and perform work with a level of expertise and efficiency unparalleled to other solutions.

Help Desk— A managed IT service offering that provides information and technical support to end-users. Some MSPs white label their Help Desk services for the client SMB.

Information Technology (IT)— An enterprise solution for storing, transmitting, creating, and using data through computing devices, networks and telecommunications.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)— An MSP offering to SMBs; virtualized hardware over a cloud computing environment such as server space, network connections, IP addresses, load balancers, and other computer infrastructure with which clients can build their own platforms.

Internet of Things— The emergent network of tangible objects and products that contain software, sensors, and connectivity to the Internet and/or private networks and can exchange information based on standards set forth by the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Standards Initiative.

In-House— The process where an organization hires its own IT service providers and pays their salary, benefits, further training, and the infrastructure they oversee. This is typically an extremely costly endeavor, and often businesses that try to procure in-house IT lack the capabilities to fully service their system and an inability to grow.

IT Channel— An industry-exclusive marketplace where VARs, MSPs, and OEMs provide platforms, products and services to end-users by partnering with hardware and software vendors.

Labor Arbitrage— the phenomenon of decreasing end costs by utilizing the abundant labor forces, education, and training of untapped global workforces.

Managed IT Services— Managed IT Services (MITS) refer to outsourcing IT support and management functions to a third-party service provider. MITS providers offer a range of IT services, including hardware and software support, network management, cybersecurity, data backup and recovery, cloud computing, and help desk support, allowing the client to focus on their core business operations.

Managed Services Provider (MSP)— An IT professional (or IT organization) that offers managed IT services.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)— A security platform used to monitor, manage, and secure employees’ mobile devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) that are deployed across multiple mobile service providers and across multiple mobile operating systems being used in an organization.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)— A virtualized platform within a cloud environment that allows end-users to develop and manage Internet applications that would otherwise require a complex infrastructure to launch apps.

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)— a platform utilizing a collection of services and tools that can monitor, manage, and deploy solutions to servers and endpoint devices utilizing agent software installed on endpoint systems.

A service-level agreement (SLA)— Essentially, a contract between a vendor and a client that specifies what the vendor will furnish the timeframe in which it will be furnished and the criteria for measuring vendor success.

Small and Medium-Sized Business (SMB)— On average, business or organization that has 100 or fewer employees is considered small; 100-999 employees are medium-sized. IT channel partners often seek SMB organizations as clients.

Software as a Service (SaaS)— Sometimes referred to as “software on demand,” SaaS is a licensing and distribution model that utilizes a subscription basis for access to software that is centrally hosted by its provider and accessed by end-users via a client.

Value-Added Reseller (VAR)— An organization that adds services or features to a product, then resells it as a new product or solution.

History of Managed IT Services

In the early days of enterprise computing, computer systems were handled by experts only when they broke down and needed to be fixed by a technician. Information technology services and business models were based on a break/fix premise. Given the abundance of small IT firms that provided this kind of small-scale client services at the time, it is also possible that this expert was the one who designed and/or installed the computer system.

But as time went on, large-scale computer manufacturing expanded, forcing small IT dealers to concentrate more on break/fix and less on manufacturing. This method was expensive, labor-intensive, reactive, and time-consuming. It prevented the technician room from expanding its clientele or adding new ones without requiring significant labor and infrastructure.

The gap between break/fix technicians and the number of computers they could reasonably serve under the break/fix model got wider and wider as the number of computing devices expanded annually. In response to this demand, managed IT services—a radical departure from the break/fix paradigm—rose in the early years of the new millennium.

With the aim of averting issues before they arise, managed IT services introduced a proactive approach to IT by trying to perform normal maintenance, upgrades, system monitoring, and issue resolution. Automation improved Internet capabilities, and cloud computing made remote monitoring and problem-solving possible, leading to resource consolidation and more effective procedures.

Efficiency, pooled resources, and client satisfaction combined with set fees, the capacity to provide more services, and the ability to take on a larger clientele led to managed IT services becoming the industry-standard approach to managing computer systems large and small for SMBs.

The Managed IT Services Model

MSP managed platforms make use of a wide spectrum of IT know-how to effectively address problems. In contrast to break/fix providers, managed service providers (MSPs) have access to the newest procedures and tools to proactively monitor endpoints, maintain system updates, and stop problems before they start. With managed IT services accessible around-the-clock, seven days a week, end users may take the evenings and weekends off, with MSPs handling the bulk of the work on tasks and procedures completed after business hours.

Based on the defined service level agreement, MSP services are normally provided at a fixed recurring charge at tiered levels, with higher levels giving more automation and management. End users only pay for the services they really use, and they have the ability to change their tier in accordance with demand and business requirements.

The end-user pays for services rendered remotely, including backup and disaster recovery, help desk solutions, remote monitoring and administration, and more, just like with other essential business services like utilities. Thus, managed IT services cease to be extra costs incurred during extraordinary issue resolutions with break/fix models and instead become necessary operating expenses to sustain core performance. MSPs give their customers the ability to operate their businesses more smoothly and profitably than they otherwise could. They also provide SaaS-based solutions and a pricing structure that are not possible with in-house solutions.

However, managed IT services do not always mean that enterprise IT professionals are no longer needed; instead, an IT expert can serve as an endpoint liaison for the user, managing the connection, offering feedback, and examining the reports that the MSP. Because the majority of routine work is being completed by the MSP, the IT professional is capable of greater efficiency and has the flexibility to tackle larger, more complex projects they would otherwise not have the time or capacity to take on.

Benefits of Managed IT Services

SMBs can benefit from business continuity and IT support at a substantially lower cost by outsourcing managed IT services rather than building an equivalent team internally. MSPs can also provide a plethora of experience that in-house teams would not be able to provide due to their active management of several customer accounts.

Furthermore, by working with an MSP, businesses may project their monthly, quarterly, and annual IT spending and are relieved of the burden of attending to this aspect of operational readiness. This frees SMBs from having to worry about ongoing IT requirements or problems and lets them concentrate on expanding their businesses.

Increased potential for security knowledge and well implemented security rules are two more advantages of managed IT services. MSPs should be able to guide your company inside the bounds of the rules and regulations it must follow, having experience working with standards like PCI compliance on a daily basis. This kind of regulatory compliance, which calls for the knowledge and experience of a managed service provider, is essential for the IT division of many businesses, particularly those in the banking, healthcare, education, and other industries. In this approach, MSPs may reduce risk while guaranteeing that the professionals overseeing your IT operations are always knowledgeable about the most recent data, tools, and procedures that will maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of your infrastructure.

In short, Managed IT Services can provide organizations with a comprehensive and cost-effective IT support solution, helping to ensure the reliability, security, and availability of critical IT systems.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your manage service providers in the Hudson Valley New York area, then Protected Harbor is the clear choice.

Source : https://www.continuum.net/resources/mspedia/managed-it-services-overview

Best IT Company of 2022 by Best of Small Business Awards

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Protected Harbor Named Best IT Company of 2022 by Best of Small Business Awards!

The Best of Small Business Awards recognized Protected Harbor, a family-run Managed IT Service Partner in New York, as the Best IT Company of 2022. Every year, the Best of Small Business Awards honor the accomplishments of small and medium-sized American companies. This award recognizes small businesses that go above and beyond to give their clients the finest possible service. Customer satisfaction, innovation, and feedback are the main factors that determine the winner.

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Protected Harbor CEO Richard Luna expressed his gratitude to the Best of Small Business Awards, saying, “We are honored to have been selected for this prestigious award and we are proud that our hard work and dedication have been recognized.” We are appreciative that our customers trust and permit us to eliminate their technology problems, allowing them to focus on their business and mission.”

The Best of Small Business Awards were really given out by the Small Business Expo, which is the biggest and most well-liked business-to-business networking event, trade fair, and conference in America. It so happened that this past year at the Small Business Expo in New York, Protected Harbor was one of the most well-liked exhibitors.

Previously, Protected Harbor was also recognized as a top cloud computing company in the US by Goodfirms, and as a top managed service provider by DesignRush.

The Best of Small Business Awards has honored Protected Harbor for their dedication to client satisfaction. Voters acknowledged that Protected Harbors’ customer service philosophy goes beyond resolving issues and closing tickets. In order to enable Protected Harbor to operate as an extension of their team, the company seeks to establish human connections by getting to know its clients and their businesses.

Protected Harbor takes great satisfaction in offering the greatest IT services to its customers. Their skilled team is committed to providing their clients with the best possible services and goods. The business aims to provide its customers with the most cutting-edge solutions for their IT requirements.

The company has implemented state-of-the-art technical solutions for managed services, cloud migration, networking, and collaboration for more than 14 years. The personnel at Protected Harbor is extremely skilled and informed in every facet of IT, including cloud computing and network security. To guarantee that clients obtain the most recent solutions, the organization stays abreast of emerging trends and technologies. They are aware of the rapid advancements in technology and make an effort to keep up with them.

The way that Managed Services are provided by Protected Harbor is revolutionizing company IT. Protected Harbor’s IT professionals will work with you to develop operational maturity, reduce costly downtime, and diminish unpleasant daily tech difficulties by implementing technical and digital strategies that align with your business objectives.

Among the many IT firms in the region that focus on a range of services are Protected Harbor. These include cloud migration, VoIP phones, IT infrastructure, IT support for remote workforce, and data center hosting. The business sets itself apart from other MSPs by putting the needs of its clients first. They also provide unmatched customer service, 24/7/365. Whether it’s late at night or early in the morning, you can always rely on them to take care of any issue you have.

In the upcoming years, Protected Harbor hopes to keep offering its clients the best IT services and solutions. The primary goal of the organization is to establish a rapport with their clients and gain an understanding of their business in order to function as an extension of their team. Their business is mostly driven by client recommendations, and they have a 98% customer satisfaction rate, which is indicative of this connection’s outcome. You won’t ever need to hire another IT company after Protected Harbor. Get in touch with us right now to discover what excellent customer service and productive teamwork look like.

Best Data Center Managed Services

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Best Data Center Managed Services 2023

Data centers are becoming a component of interconnected, cooperative, and—most importantly—digital infrastructure rather than being separate, isolated entities. It has grown at an exponential rate over the past ten years and is still growing quickly. This expansion has been sparked by a number of factors, including the adoption of digital services, cloud computing, and IoT.

One of the industry segments with the quickest growth is data center managed services. A variety of data center operations, monitoring, reporting, and other support services that are supplied by third parties to companies looking to outsource these duties are collectively referred to as managed data center services.

Managed services will play an ever more crucial role in the ecosystem as companies improve their data centers and embrace new technologies. The top-managed data center services for 2023 are examined in this blog.

Why Managed Data Center Services?

The IoT, cloud computing, and digital service usage on a worldwide scale have caused the data center business to grow exponentially. The demand for services is driven by the growing need for infrastructure, facilities, and data center management services. The administration of data centers has changed throughout time. In order to save operating and capital costs, businesses increasingly favor managed data center services.

The mission-critical IT infrastructure that powers businesses of all sizes is housed in data centers. In the event of a breach, the security and integrity of this infrastructure could result in significant financial losses, so it needs to be constantly monitored and maintained. Outsourcing data center operations to a managed services provider is the most effective way to accomplish this.

Colocation facilities are an increasingly popular option for companies looking to modernize their data centers. These facilities provide a secure, reliable, and scalable infrastructure for housing IT equipment, allowing organizations to focus on their core business activities.

2023 Data Center Managed Service Industry Trends

Data centers are providing end-to-end infrastructure solutions by interacting with the physical infrastructure. From merely providing data center design units, it now offers integrated, fully managed services. Without engaging with the physical infrastructure of their end users, traditional data center operators concentrated on offering data center infrastructure services including colocation, managed services, and IT infrastructure.

Data centers and cloud computing services are becoming more and more intertwined. Over the next ten years, this tendency will rule the data center managed services market. Building hybrid cloud environments—which combine cloud service providers and on-premises data centers—is becoming a more popular option for businesses. By providing their clients with higher-value services, data center providers will be able to set themselves apart thanks to this trend.

Redesigning a data center is crucial to updating an organization’s IT setup. It entails updating a data center’s design and technological setup to boost productivity. Fault tolerance is a crucial component of a successful data center redesign since it guarantees the system’s ability to function even in the event of hardware or software failures. All essential parts of the data center, such as power supply, network connectivity, and storage devices, must have redundancy in order to do this.

Any company that uses IT infrastructure must prioritize data protection and management. Data security and protection from unwanted access are critical given the rising frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Physical security features like access controls, CCTV, and alarms are examples of data center security measures. Cybersecurity

Best Data Center Managed Services 2023

As was already mentioned, there are many companies in the technological sector. Every size organization depends significantly on cloud services for daily operations. The need for services administered by data centers is growing as a result.

Here are the Top Managed Service Vendors for Data Centers in 2023.

IBM – The fully managed, highly secure, and production-ready cloud environment offered by IBM Cloud Managed Services is built to deliver performance and availability at the level of an enterprise. Users may protect data and applications with built-in security, which includes alternate-site disaster recovery for the most critical workloads.
Accenture – Global management consulting company Accenture provides various services and products in strategy, consulting, technology, and operations. Regarding management consulting, it ranks alongside IBM as the largest and most well-known organization on this list. Accenture wants to work with clients to develop high-performance organizations and governments.
Infosys– In terms of consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation services, Infosys is a world leader. Infosys helps its clients in more than 50 countries stay on the cutting edge of innovation. Infosys assists businesses in reinventing themselves and finding new ways to make money.
Rackspace – Since its founding in 1998, Rackspace has been a pioneer in the data center cloud industry, returning to the ASP (application service providers) era. With the help of the company’s hybrid cloud-based services, organizations can operate their workloads in either a public or a private cloud.
Protected Harbor – Enterprises can get strategic foresight on the future from Protected Harbor. We have experience in almost every area of information technology, which is essential for projects involving the movement of data centers. Protected Harbor can scale up or down a customer’s resources extremely quickly and help the customer find the best financial solutions for each project.
It works with clients to modernize their commercial, operational, and technological models for the digital age. Its clients may imagine, create, and operate more cutting-edge and effective data centers thanks to its industry-based consulting approach.

Conclusion

Over the past ten years, the industry has grown exponentially as a result of growing digitalization, the use of cloud services, and digital real estate. From being merely functional components, data centers now offer fully managed services as well as integrated service platforms.

Protected Harbor is among the top managed data canter service companies that provide managed hosting services and data centers for cloud computing and IT enterprises. We provide a single-provider solution for managing and safeguarding mission-critical IT services, such as cloud computing, infrastructure, platform, colocation, and data centers. According to Goodfirms, Protected Harbor is routinely regarded as one of the world’s most admired companies and the top Cloud Computing company in the US.

Click here to talk with our engineer and learn more about cloud-managed data center services and how we solve your cloud problems.

Guide to Managed Service Providers

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What is a Managed Service Provider?

Your IT systems, including virus prevention and control, routine hardware and software administration, operational efficiency, disaster recovery, and end-user support, are maintained and managed by a Managed Service Provider.

MSPs are able to offer the technologies required to propel your business forward. They help your company move to the digital era with maximum stability and control, so you may grow your company without having to pay more for IT.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are responsible for providing their clients a wide range of IT services and support. The specific responsibilities of an MSP can vary depending on the needs of the client, but here are some of the primary responsibilities that an MSP may undertake:

Handling the management of IT infrastructure
Adding cybersecurity measures to IT
Providing technical support to staff
Managing user account access
Offering risk and compliance management
Handling contract management
Providing payroll services

How do MSPs work?

A managed service provider is responsible for helping an organization reach its objectives. MPSs offer a range of services to meet the unique IT needs of individual businesses, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution that works for all companies. Usually, an assessment is carried out to ascertain the state of the technical environment at the moment, areas in need of development, and opportunities to support businesses.

The provision of help desk support, monitoring, security training, ongoing maintenance, and reporting are all governed by service level agreements. It sets the boundaries of what you require or desire from your managed service provider. Considerations include budgetary constraints, response times, security assurances, and performance goals.

What does a managed service provider do?

Managed service providers, or MSPs, offer a variety of IT services to companies, usually through contracts or subscriptions. MSPs handle their clients’ daily IT requirements so they can concentrate on their main business activities.

A managed service provider works in tandem with your IT staff to handle all things internet-related for your company, from setting up new devices to preserving connectivity and providing infrastructure maintenance. At the top level, MSPs:

Offer 24/7 remote system monitoring
Provide End User Computing Support (desktop PCs, laptops, mobile devices)
Support your IT infrastructure, including servers (physical and virtual)
Monitor, update and maintain IT systems security
Fix network or internet problems
Accountable for data security, backups, and data recovery
Office 365 setup, hosting, and management
Mitigate risks related to data security, and cyberattacks
Report a monthly summary of your issues, preventive/restorative steps taken, and advice for future planning.
Create a Disaster Recovery Plan as part of your Business Continuity Strategy.

An MSP ensures that you and your staff can handle data transfers, use the internet, interact with one another, and update one or more websites. An MSP maintains your IT current, which is crucial for marketing your goods and services, boosting sales and providing customer assistance, and handling all back-end administrative duties including data analysis, inventories, and more. Partnering with the right MSP means more security, service, productivity, and love from your user community.

Why Should you hire an MSP?

Traditionally, MSPs gained acceptance as companies tried cutting IT support and maintenance costs. Managing IT for a decent size business will need varying skill sets, in-house technical staff costs, hiring costs, tools/training costs, and other benefits for any permanent employees like insurance. An MSP, on the other hand, is cost-effective and efficient.

They also have predictable costs. A flat monthly fee is

charged by top-notch Managed IT Service providers for proactive monitoring and upkeep of your workstations, servers, and IT infrastructure. Furthermore, a good IT-managed service provider seeks to avoid problems before they arise in order to reduce IT downtime.

You can also find out where you’re squandering money on “Nice-To-Haves or outdated systems” with the assistance of an IT service provider. For instance, it’s possible that your Wi-Fi router is obsolete and that boosting the bandwidth of your network won’t give you the desired outcome. Recall that collaborating with an IT service provider will allow you access to cutting-edge technology and trends. You are able to make well-informed choices, identify cost-saving measures, and increase the output of your team.

Some common signs you should hire a managed service provider.

IT cost is skyrocketing
Extra support for remote employees
Limited IT staff
Need help migrating
Facing excessive downtime
Want to grow strategically
Lack of system monitoring
Lack of compliance

Lastly, you won’t ever have to be concerned about falling behind on legal or regulatory compliance with managed services. MSPs protect you from possible fines by keeping you informed about compliance laws, regulations, and processes.

How much do managed service providers charge?

The cost of managed IT services varies from business to business and depends on a number of factors. For instance, you have to handle more devices (such as desktops, laptops, tablets, printers, etc.) and licenses the more users you have. Knowing what you want to be handled will help your MSP outline the cost model per user. The most popular cost models are listed below.

Fixed Price or Flat Rate
Per-User
Per Device
Metal Grading or Tiered
Customized

It is essential to realize that the greatest service provided by an MSP will involve a high degree of business availability combined with strategic counsel and thought. Furthermore, this will come at a price that is thought to be lower than the price of consultation packages and downtime.

It would be even better if your MSP charged you a flat fee regardless of repair requests or outages. Many MSPs charge or include X hours per month; if the client goes beyond, they pay extra. Actual MSPs always charge a flat rate.

Final Thoughts

Outsourced support, upkeep, and monitoring of your vital endpoints and infrastructure are provided by a managed IT service. They complement you with the appropriate knowledge, such as preemptive device management to reduce problems down the road and reactive support when you need it most. MSP helps your employees wherever they utilize your technology, be it for minor user problems or more serious server issues. MSPs may also promote change and prosper in the post-COVID environment by valuing creativity, adaptability, and agility.

As with any partnership, you should evaluate your engagement to make sure you’re getting value for your money. Businesses today use technology to maintain their competitiveness. Thus, in order to maintain the dependability of your technology, your MSP needs to continuously improving. Additionally, companies that have been using their present supplier for years frequently tell us that are too nervous about finding an alternative partner.

Changing providers comes with a perception of a complicated process that involves days of IT downtime and business disruption. Surprisingly or not, switching your MSP can be a cakewalk when you find the right partner.

If you are unsure of your MSP, we will audit and discover your potential areas of improvement.

Every engagement begins with a research process designed to pinpoint your organization’s objectives, areas of risk, and top technology needs. We then map our strategic strategy to your business objectives and offer continuous measurement and monitoring to ensure our solution is working as intended.

The engineers, advisors, and certified technicians at Protected Harbor collaborate with you to deploy the technology that best suits your company’s needs. Working with a single, dependable partner who is aware of your particular organizational objectives is beneficial to you.

Protected Harbor handles every aspect of your IT infrastructure management. Everything from email to cloud storage, web hosting, teleconferencing, and computer repair has been addressed. We constantly monitor your technology needs, keeping the lights on and giving higher-ups strategic direction.

If you’re looking for hudson valley new york manage service provider, or in rockland county, then you are at the right place. Protected Harbor offers customized IT solutions to businesses looking to scale their technology, and we’re on a mission to give you the best customer service possible. To do that, we are constantly innovating to make sure you have the best experience with our products.

As one of our customers, you can expect excellent service, quick response times, and an eager team to help. We are not your average MSP. We are engineers, software developers, analysts, designers, and lifelong learners. We offer a tailored approach to managed services that meet each client’s unique needs. Contact us today for a free IT Audit.

Behind the Scenes of the New York Small Business Expo with Protected Harbor

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SUMMARY

Recently, on Friday, June 24, 2022, at the New York Hilton Midtown, Protected Harbor attended the New York Small Business Expo. This was a fantastic chance for us to introduce our goods to a wide range of entrepreneurs and small company owners, who left our booth buzzing with excitement.

Protected Harbor received much publicity and was highlighted prominently as one of the top fair exhibitors. Prospective customers could assess our excellent security system and remote monitoring capabilities in full view.

The Protected Harbor team was present to assist the New York small business community, which shared the same objective of assisting small enterprises in the city to expand and prosper.

Get a Free Managed IT Review From Protected Harbor

Engineers at Protected Harbor work on prevention and protection in addition to helping clients with their technology problems, which helps to keep small businesses safe. Protected Harbor aids in ensuring that the local economy is stronger by giving small business owners the knowledge they require to flourish.

Attendee Survey

The expo’s small business owners had the option of taking a brief survey about their current IT issues and long-term business objectives, which also gave them the chance to sign up for a free IT assessment. With the help of the evaluation, we were able to identify any technological gaps in their company’s operations and develop a personalized strategy for updating and improving that technology. The qualified engineers and consultants on Protected Harbor’s staff conducted the IT assessment and were on hand to respond to any inquiries throughout the exhibition.

As this poll circulated throughout the expo, we discovered that their poor IT and managed services were their biggest technology pain issue;

Workshop with CEO Richard Luna

Does Your IT Suck? was a session organized by CEO Richard Luna. Small business IT Trends for 2022. He discussed how small firms can stay on the cutting edge and avoid the perils of technology failure in his lecture. He talked on how to pick the best technology for your company and the dos and don’ts of small business IT. By the end of the event, participants knew how to pick the best IT vendors for company needs, plan for future technology, establish the best practices for vendor selection, and safeguard their data.

Does your IT suck?

Are you fed up with poor IT support and MSPs? Are you angry and frustrated? You are not alone if the answer is yes.

Many companies are looking for new IT vendors after receiving subpar service from their present vendor. Select a business partner like Protected Harbor who has a group of qualified, seasoned engineers who are enthusiastic about assisting companies.

We’re a US-based company that specializes in cloud hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, network solutions, and everything in between. Whether you’re an enterprise-level company or a start-up, we’ve got you covered. Thanks to our hands-on approach and an emphasis on customer service, we’ve earned a reputation as one of the most reliable hosting providers in the industry.

Missed the New York Small Business Expo for 2022? You can still get a free IT audit, contact us today!

Why IT Experience Matters:

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The competition in the modern market for small and medium-sized firms is fierce. These firms face significant difficulty in keeping up with the rapid rate of change and remaining competitive. When he outlines the significance of Why IT Experience Matters, Richard Luna, CEO of Protected Harbor, touches on this subject. His weekly video series Uptime With Richard Luna, which is uploaded online every Thursday, also covers subjects like these and many others.

SMBs (Small & Midsized Businesses) need to work with an IT Service Provider or MSP (Managed Service Provider) to help them manage their technology while also handling all of their daily operational tasks if they want to succeed in this digital age. Benefits of an IT service provider often include cost savings, scalability, and efficiency.

You should be aware of why IT experience is crucial when choosing an MSP if you’re thinking about working with one or already do. We’ll go over the value of experience and what to look for while evaluating your options below.

The Importance of Experience

The level of experience a provider has is a key determinant of the quality of their services.

It first aids in determining their level of expertise. Second, past experience provides insight into how an IT service provider or MSP will handle your collaboration, particularly when dealing with varied business and client types. The secret to ensuring that your PCs and other IT equipment run smoothly and are safe from cyber threats is experience.

MSPs have experience and know what works best for various firms, so they can guide you in choosing the finest technology for your needs. But it’s also important to remember that MSPs are not perfect. Nobody can assure uninterrupted service or that their clients won’t encounter any disruptions or service interruptions because they vary from one MSP to the next. In short, nothing is guaranteed. Even though your MSP can help you avoid many problems, plenty can still occur.

The First Rule of IT: Panic

The initial response to an emergency is panic. Your own workers may be impacted by this, and there may not be any available IT staff at the time. Fortunately, MSPs are ready for any emergency. While some MSPs offer a quicker 15-minute response time, the majority of MSPs operate with a standard response time of 30 minutes, which is applicable to a variety of difficulties. It’s crucial to comprehend how quickly an MSP responds to issues and the methods they take to fix them when they deal with you. This could be quite important in figuring out the level of service that customers get.

What’s occurring is always the first question that comes to mind in an emergency. The most frequent responses we receive are that a cluster node (a piece of data center) or the main firewall blew up, knocking out thousands of customers.

In this situation, Richard Luna, CEO of Protected Harbor, recommends focusing on what’s working. In a crisis, this is the best thing to do; it will tell you what you can move to, what infrastructure can be used, and what was lost.

Emergencies Occur, and They Can be Resolved

Successful MSPs and IT service providers are those who have planned for everything. They are aware that emergencies can happen at any time and that they require quick action. All of these catastrophes, including power surges, interior flooding, fires, and earthquakes, can seriously harm your IT infrastructure and have an effect on your employees, clients, and business as a whole. However, all of these problems are resolvable, especially if you have a capable and reliable MSP on call.

Hiring an MSP is Not Always the Best Solution

When you need a new IT infrastructure quickly, you might be tempted to employ an MSP on an “as needed” basis, but doing so could result in you paying more for the work done and not having what you ultimately need. You have limited control over how your IT system is set up if you use services from a third party. You may not have access to all the backups and other data you require for your business continuity strategy, and you cannot upgrade your hardware or software anytime you need to. There is no assurance that you will obtain the same staff if you deal with an MSP on an “as needed” basis.

The Optimal Solution: Experienced People With A Plan

You want to look for seasoned professionals who have a strategy when working with an MSP. Additionally, the team should have a track record of accomplishments working with other clients in your sector. Simply put, you ought to seek out MSPs with a solid track record. When working with an MSP, you should have complete confidence in their staff, as well as their ability to react to any changes and fix issues as they emerge. You should be able to work with an MSP without being concerned about any potential problems with your IT infrastructure.

“The optimal solution in this situation is a blend,” Richard explains that in order to get the best, you will need to have the best of minds, experienced people who have been through crises before and understand the long view of the technology, intermixed with fresh minds or a brand new staff will give a terrific blend of a solid, communicative, collaborative team.

This is an approach that we use internally at Protected Harbor.

Summing up

How you handle your business’s IT infrastructure can make or break your organization.

The best way to ensure that you have a strong IT foundation is to partner with an experienced MSP. When you choose an MSP with experience, you can be sure that your IT systems will run smoothly and efficiently. You can expect your systems to be managed appropriately, and they can also help you to use resources in your systems more efficiently. With an MSP, you can rest assured that your IT team will be ready to respond when an emergency occurs.

While most IT service providers or MSPs offer a one-size-fits-all approach, Protected Harbor has been set apart from the competition by its focus on providing an individually tailored experience to its clients. Whether it’s an enterprise company or a mid-sized business, you can expect to be treated as an individual.

If you’re looking for managed IT services for your company, you deserve more than a cookie-cutter solution. You deserve a trusted advisor who understands your business and technology challenges and works with you to create a solution that meets your unique needs.

Protected Harbor is not your typical MSP. We have the experience and focus on solving issues for our clients, not selling service plans. We work with you to build a relationship based on trust and transparency. We have a 95% client retention rate and an average of 15 minute ticket response times. Don’t just take our word for it; check our testimonials.

Non-profit Computer Services

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Non Profits and Computer Support Featured

Passion, not money, is frequently what drives non-profit organizations. However, non-profits still require technology in order to function effectively and prosper. By automating processes, facilitating communication with partners and volunteers, and raising the organization’s visibility to potential contributors, technology may assist growth.

These suggestions will enable you to better manage the IT requirements for your non-profit, regardless of whether it is just getting started or searching for methods to increase productivity. The following video in the Uptime with Richard Luna series is available here. This blog post will discuss the benefits of investing in managed or IT services for your nonprofit organization as well as how to choose the best vendor.

All Has to be Seamless

The tech experience for your internal staff and end users must be flawless when it comes to non-profit IT services. Your services should be simple to set up and should work nicely with your current tools. They should also offer an easy-to-use interface; users shouldn’t feel intimidated by technology when using your website or a hosted application.

Provide a Unified Interface

A unified interface for managing your environment is one of your organization’s most important offerings. You might have one or more environments for platforms or applications. Additionally, you might have one or more partner companies or support networks that offer you internal or external services like email servers, hosted apps, and data storage.

It can be necessary to integrate, monitor, and manage these various environments and partners through a single interface. This should be something that your non-profit IT services partner can assist you with. In order to have a unified picture of all your activities, you’ll want to make sure the partner can manage your environments regardless of where they are hosted using a single pane of glass.

Finding the right partner

More important than price is finding the right IT partner for your charity organizations. It’s about attending to your demands, which include your capacity for teamwork, operational management, and outcome measurement. Consider your organization’s aims and objectives carefully before looking for non-profit IT services. Do you need a complete solution? Will you need to hire internal personnel for the project? What are the biggest IT problems you face for charities? All of these are crucial inquiries to take into account while choosing the best partner and customer service for your nonprofit.

Conclusion

Choose a partner who will assist you in achieving your strategic objectives when it comes to non-profit IT services. Make sure the partner can deliver the caliber of service you require and can scale as your demands increase. Additionally, make sure the partner is dedicated to making a positive social effect and can demonstrate how their products and services are benefiting other nonprofit organizations.

With the right partner like Protected Harbor and the right level of support, there is no limit to what your non-profit can accomplish. Protected Harbor is dedicated to offering scalable and affordable solutions and is aware of the unique challenges faced by non-profit organizations. We have spent years planning IT infrastructures for NGOs to ensure they receive the IT support required for both short- and long-term objectives while being productive.

To find out more about how our IT solutions may assist your non-profit organization in achieving its objectives, get in touch with Protected Harbor for a free consultation and IT Audit.

The Importance of IT Service Provider: Truth to Power

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In today’s very competitive business environment, a company needs to develop a plan to set itself apart from its rivals. Technology is now a key differentiator for businesses across all industries.

Most likely, you are aware of the significance of the client-provider connection. After all, it’s a subject that articles, blogs, and discussion boards have been delving into for years. In contrast to practice, how much of this knowledge is theory? Would you know what measures to take if you had to implement these tactics tomorrow?

Welcome to another episode of Uptime, where Richard Luna discusses the value of open communication between customers and service providers. What discrepancy exists between the services that IT service providers and MSPs offer to deliver and those that are actually provided?

The Importance of a Service-Provider Relationship

When people in the business sector discuss ties with service providers, they are referring to the alliances that companies form with their partners. Vendors, suppliers, distributors, IT service providers, managed service providers, and system integrators are just a few examples. The goal of a service-provider partnership is for both sides to prosper.

You enter into a partnership with a business to supply critical technology services like hosting, IT infrastructure, security, or managed services. This partnership will be advantageous to both of you in several ways. Consider running a network of car dealerships that requires an IT infrastructure to handle credit card payments and maintain employee communication. You’re getting into a contract with a managed services provider (MSP) if you hire them to assist you with these chores.

Truth in Transparency: Know What You’re Buying

The success of any company depends on its IT service providers, but not all of them are made equal. A wide range of technology-related services are offered by numerous service providers, each of whom has their own value propositions, business strategies, and strengths and weaknesses. Because of this, it’s crucial to work with an IT service provider who is a suitable fit for your business.

You can avoid common pitfalls that can disrupt your business and have a negative impact on your bottom line by working with a service provider that is a good fit for your organization. These pitfalls include paying too much for services you don’t need or are overpriced or not getting the level of support and maintenance your company needs to succeed.

Before signing up with an IT service provider, ensure you understand exactly what you’re buying to ensure the relationship is a good fit for your business. You don’t want to sign up with a service provider that is overpriced or doesn’t offer a solution that lines up with your business needs.

The Importance of a Good SLA

Any managed services agreement must include a service-level agreement (SLA). The service provider’s responsibilities are outlined in the SLA, including the degree of customer service, the duration of downtime, and the uptime of crucial systems. It also covers the responsibilities of the client.

Making sure the SLA is in your favor is crucial. The SLA is your chance to hold the service provider responsible for their commitments by outlining what you anticipate from them if you are a client working with an MSP. You can also use this as an opportunity to set a performance standard.

The SLA is your chance, as an MSP, to describe the promises you make to your clients. You can also use it to establish a performance standard. For instance, you must consistently live up to the expectation if your SLA promises that a technician will respond to an issue within four hours.

Key Takeaways

It is a technological strategic partner that provides more than just a single good or service. It is a partner who offers knowledge, direction, and assistance to assist you in expanding your company through IT services.

Protected Harbor is not your typical MSP. It’s a managed service provider with a twist. The company specializes in cloud-based software solutions, including data backup, recovery, ransomware, and other cybersecurity services. Our team of MSP experts works with you every step of the way.

We conduct a thorough assessment of your business and technology landscape. We then customize a solution that meets your exact needs. Contact one of our experts today for a free IT Audit and discover why we are different.

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The Qualities of a Good MSP

1. Reputation and References

2. Pricing and Contracts

3. Communication and Partnership

4. Technology Stack and Innovation

5. Disaster Recovery and Contingency Plans

6. Scalability and Growth

Finalizing Your Decision

Conclusion

How to avoid the mistakes

Key Terms & Definitions

History of Managed IT Services

The Managed IT Services Model

Benefits of Managed IT Services

Protected Harbor Named Best IT Company of 2022 by Best of Small Business Awards!

Best Data Center Managed Services 2023

Why Managed Data Center Services?

2023 Data Center Managed Service Industry Trends

Best Data Center Managed Services 2023

Conclusion

What is a Managed Service Provider?

How do MSPs work?

What does a managed service provider do?

Why Should you hire an MSP?

How much do managed service providers charge?

Final Thoughts

SUMMARY

Attendee Survey

Workshop with CEO Richard Luna

Does your IT suck?

The Importance of Experience

The First Rule of IT: Panic

Emergencies Occur, and They Can be Resolved

Hiring an MSP is Not Always the Best Solution

The Optimal Solution: Experienced People With A Plan

Summing up

All Has to be Seamless

Provide a Unified Interface

Finding the right partner

Conclusion

The Importance of a Service-Provider Relationship

Truth in Transparency: Know What You’re Buying

The Importance of a Good SLA

Key Takeaways

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