Managed IT should be more than a help desk phone number. For a growing business, the right provider takes ownership of the technology environment and helps it support the business plan.
Clear scope and responsibilities
You should know exactly what is included, how requests are handled, and which responsibilities remain with your team or other vendors.
Documentation you own
Network diagrams, credentials stored securely, vendor lists, and standard procedures should be maintained and accessible to you.
A security baseline
Expect MFA, device management, patching, backup verification, and email protection as standard practice rather than optional extras.
Regular reporting and reviews
Periodic reviews should cover support trends, risks, upcoming lifecycle replacements, and budget, in language leadership can act on.
Questions to ask
- How do you onboard a new client environment?
- What does your standard security baseline include?
- How do you report on service and risk?
- Who provides strategic guidance and how often?
