The global managed services market reached $65.94 billion in 2022. By 2032, it’s estimated to reach an impressive $203.88 billion. This is the result of technological advancements, like cloud computing, cybersecurity threats, and the growing complexity of IT environments.
It’s also the result of businesses increasingly recognizing the value of outsourcing their IT needs to specialized providers. Doing so allows them to focus on core operations while leveraging the expertise and scalability of managed service providers.
In the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, innovation often meets ambition. Finding the perfect Los Angeles managed service provider (MSP) can be the key to unlocking your business’s full potential.
With multiple options available, selecting the right MSP tailored to your unique needs is paramount.
Discover the top 10 tips to find the best MSP in Los Angeles below.
1. Define Your Outsourced IT Solutions Needs
To find the best Los Angeles managed service provider, you need to determine the managed IT services trends to know right now. This means understanding exactly what IT support your business requires.
Start by identifying your current technology challenges and goals. Consider factors like the size of your business, the complexity of your IT infrastructure, and the level of support your team requires.
You should also think about the specific services you need. For example, are you looking for network monitoring, cybersecurity, or helpdesk support?
Consider whether you need 24/7 monitoring and support or if regular business hours are sufficient.
Make sure to define your budget for IT services and any specific requirements or regulations your industry may have. This can help you narrow down your options while also considering your organization’s budget.
The right managed IT services partner will allow you to achieve long-term growth and maintain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
By clearly defining your needs, you can narrow down your search for an MSP that can provide the right level of support and services for your business.
2. Check IT Support Companies Experience and Reputation
Checking the experience and reputation of a managed service provider is essential for ensuring reliable service. Look for an MSP that has been in business for several years, as this indicates stability and expertise.
Research online reviews and testimonials from other clients to gauge their satisfaction levels. This is especially important for the 18-34-year-old age group, as 91% of them trust online reviews as much as they would from a family member, friend, or other acquaintance.
You can also ask the MSP for case studies or examples of their work. This allows you to see, firsthand, if they have experience in your industry or with similar businesses.
Check if the MSP has any relevant certifications or partnerships with technology vendors, as this can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to quality service.
Choosing IT managed IT support services saves time and money and can give you confidence in their ability to meet your IT needs.
3. Assess Network IT Support Services Offered
Assessing the services offered by a managed service provider is crucial. You need to ensure that they can adequately meet your specific IT needs.
Begin by viewing their website to understand the range of services they provide. You can also speak to a representative.
Ask about their approach to service delivery and how they measure performance to ensure they can provide the level of service you expect. Look for services such as:
- Network security
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud services
- Data backup
- Disaster recovery planning
- Helpdesk support
Consider your current and future IT needs to determine if the MSP offers services that align with your business goals. Discuss any specialized services or industry-specific requirements your business may have to ensure the MSP can meet these needs.
It’s also important to check if the MSP provides proactive maintenance and monitoring to prevent IT issues before they occur.
Selecting an MSP that offers a comprehensive range of services can help ensure the proper support for your business effectively. This allows you to achieve your IT goals.
4. Evaluate Response Time
Evaluating the response times of a managed service provider is important to ensure your IT issues are addressed promptly. Inquire about their average response time for different types of requests, such as emergencies or general inquiries.
Some inquiries may be answered in as little as 20-30 minutes, while others can take a full 24 hours to receive a response. Check if they offer 24/7 support and how quickly they can respond outside of regular business hours.
Evaluate the MSP’s ability to handle emergencies. This is imperative, as every second counts in the case of situations like disaster recovery planning. Discuss their process for escalating issues that require immediate attention to ensure they have a clear and efficient system in place.
You should also ask about their communication channels and how you can reach them in case of an emergency. Consider their location and if they have local technicians who can quickly respond to on-site issues if needed.
Finding a Los Angeles managed service provider with a fast and reliable response time can help minimize downtime. This also ensures your IT systems always remain operational and secure.
Thanks to our central downtown Los Angeles location, Be Structured has proven time and again to have the quickest emergency response times to business in the greater Los Angeles area.
5. Consider Scalability
In 2024, 79% of organizations are planning to increase their cybersecurity budgets. This relates to meeting increasing concerns over digital threats, like malware, ransomware, hackers, and data breaches.
Scalability is a vital aspect when choosing a managed service provider to ensure they can grow with your business. Discuss your future growth plans with the MSP and ensure they can accommodate your expanding IT needs.
Check that they have experience working with businesses of a similar size and growth trajectory to yours. Inquire about their process for scaling up services and if there are any additional costs involved. Ensure they have the flexibility to adjust their services and resources to meet your changing requirements.
Ask about their ability to integrate new technologies or services as your business evolves. You should also consider their track record with other clients in terms of scalability, and if they were able to effectively support their growth.
Identifying a Los Angeles IT support company that can scale with your business ensures you can continue to receive the IT support you need as your company grows and evolves.
6. Verify Technical Certifications
Verifying the certifications of a managed service provider ensures they have the necessary expertise and skills to support your business. Check if the MSP has certifications from major technology vendors such as:
- Microsoft
- Cisco
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- VMware
These certifications indicate that the MSP has undergone the proper training. They also validate that the MSP has met specific requirements to demonstrate their proficiency in using and leveraging these technologies.
Ask the MSP to provide proof of their certifications. Be sure to inquire about the expiration dates to ensure they are current. Verify if the MSP has any industry-specific certifications or compliance certifications relevant to your business model.
For example, in a medical or healthcare business, you’ll want to verify the necessary HIPAA-compliant certifications. A business that involves payment processing will need to have PCI DSS certifications.
A Los Angeles IT services company with relevant and up-to-date certifications can give you confidence in their ability to provide quality IT services and support for your business.
7. Review Security Measures
Cybercrime is at an all-time high. In 2023, U.S. cybercrime jumped 22% from the previous year. It also amounted to more than $12.5 billion in costs.
Reviewing the security measures of a managed service provider is critical to protecting your business data and systems. Inquire about their unique approach to managing cybersecurity.
Most importantly, do they maintain cybersecurity compliance?
Investigate specific measures they have in place to protect against common threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Check if they conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure.
Ask about their data encryption practices to protect sensitive information both at rest and in transit. Discuss their backup and disaster recovery plans. This ensures your data can be quickly restored in the event of a security breach or other disaster.
Research their employee training programs to confirm their staff is educated on the best practices for cybersecurity.
We find that several unique protection strategies that only the best IT support companies in Los Angeles utlizie include things like:
and many more, along with creating a Zero Trust Network Architecture.
The key beyond these kinds of security protocols, make it a point to consider CMMC compliance with industry standards and regulations, like GDPR or HIPAA, if applicable to your business.
An MSP with robust security measures can help protect your business from cyber threats while assuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data.
8. Understand Pricing
You must also understand the pricing of a managed service provider. Doing this allows you to see how it will fit into your budget. It also allows you to see how these services offer value for the money.
Ask the MSP for a detailed breakdown of their pricing structure. Be sure to include any recurring fees or one-time costs. Inquire about any additional charges for services outside the standard agreement, such as emergency support or project work.
Discuss the payment schedule and terms to ensure they are manageable for your business. Consider the scalability of the pricing. You need to determine if will increase as your business grows or requires additional services.
Ask if there are any discounts available for long-term contracts or bundled services. Compare the pricing of the MSP with other providers to confirm it’s competitive.
Understand what is included in the pricing. This includes the level of support, the range of services, and the availability of resources. Verify there are no additional hidden costs.
Finding a Los Angeles managed service provider with transparent and reasonable pricing can help you budget effectively for your IT needs and avoid unexpected costs.
9. Look for Customization Options
Seeking out customization options when choosing a managed service provider is also beneficial. It means your managed service partner can tailor their services to meet your specific needs.
Discuss your business requirements with the MSP and inquire about their ability to customize their services to align with your goals. Check if the MSP offers flexible service agreements that can be adjusted as your needs change.
Inquire about their ability to integrate with your existing IT provider, infrastructure, and applications. Ask if they can provide personalized solutions for unique challenges your business may face.
Consider their approach to service delivery and if they can adapt their processes to meet your preferences. Discuss any industry-specific requirements or regulations your business must comply with and ensure the MSP can accommodate these needs.
A Los Angeles managed IT services provider that offers customization options will help you receive the level of support and services that best fit your business.
10. Seek References
Seeking references when choosing a managed service provider can provide valuable insights into their performance and reliability. Just as with any job interview or service provider hiring, it’s necessary in order to get an idea of the quality of work you can expect to receive.
Ask the MSP for references from current or past clients who can speak to their experience working with the provider. Contact these references to ask about their overall satisfaction with the MSP’s services.
Gauge certain attributes including their responsiveness, expertise, and ability to meet their IT needs. You should also inquire about any challenges the references faced while working with the MSP and how the provider handled them.
Ask about the MSP’s communication style and if they were proactive in addressing issues or providing updates. Discuss any specific requirements or concerns you have with the references to see if they’re well-equipped to address them.
Consider the length of time the references have been working with the MSP. Long-standing relationships can indicate a high level of satisfaction and reliability.
Seeking references can help you make an informed decision when hiring a Los Angeles managed service provider. It also helps determine the level of service and support your business needs.
Make Be Structured Technology Group Your Los Angeles Managed Service Provider Today
The modern world requires an advanced approach that can help you meet your technology and security needs head-on. You need more than just an IT provider; you need a managed services partner that understands and supports how you do business.
Be Structured Technology Group is the Los Angeles outsourced IT support services provider you need. We offer full-service managed IT services from network installation and maintenance to cyber security, data backup and recovery, and everything else in between. We’ll tailor an approach to meet your IT needs.
Want to see what Be Structured can do for you? Contact us today to schedule a free IT consultation.
