This document provides a checklist of 7 important considerations when hiring a managed service provider (MSP) to support a company's IT infrastructure. It lists questions to ask potential MSPs about their services, technical experience, costs, response times, hours of service, contracts, and whether they can provide client references. The document promotes ProActive Information Management as an MSP that can serve as a long-term partner for success. It encourages readers to contact ProActive to discuss hiring an MSP.

1. 1
W h a t s e r v i c e s d o y o u p r o v i d e ? Simple, but you need to understand what they can provide
so that you can determine if they can meet your needs.
2
W h e r e a r e y o u l o c a t e d ? Although the majority of work is done remotely, it’s
important to know that they can get to your site
reasonably quickly. As your IT consultant, they should be
accessible, making it easier to build a relationship with you.
3
W h a t o t h e r c l i e n t s d o y o u
s e r v e ?
Referrals and references are important to the MSP
decision and they should be able to provide a handful of
them to make their case.
Choosing an MSP is critical to your
company’s success, but the available
options can be overwhelming. The
most important consideration is that
an MSP’s capabilities should fit your
company's needs, budget and values.
Below is a checklist to help you find
the ideal MSP to safeguard your
network.
7 IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN HIRING AN MSP
As an important partner in your ongoing
success, an MSP can monitor and support
your entire business network or it can
supplement your overburdened IT staff to
ensure all areas of your IT infrastructure
stay running day and night, while freeing
your current resources to manage more
business critical issues.
W h a t i s y o u r t e a m ’ s l e v e l o f
t e c h n i c a l e x p e r i e n c e ?
C o s t – H o w i s i t s t r u c t u r e d
a n d w h a t d o e s i t c o v e r ?
I m p l e m e n t a t i o n / R e s p o n s e
t i m e s / H o u r s o f s e r v i c e –
H o w d o t h e s e w o r k ?
I s t h e r e a c o n t r a c t a n d w h a t
s e r v i c e s a r e c o v e r e d ?
4
5
6
7
These are just a handful of important questions to ask when considering an MSP. By asking the right
questions, you can rest assured that you’ve made the right decision when turning over network access to
a professional.
Questions to ask when hiring an MSP
ProActive Information Management, LLC is an Information Technology firm that delivers and provides
enterprise products and solutions. Our mission is to enhance our client’s ability to deliver and achieve their
business goals and objectives through technology. Our equation: People + Process = Technology.
At ProActive Information Management, we want to be your MSP as a long-term partner for your success.
Ready to hire an MSP?
Contact ProActive Information Management at 804-897-8347
or visit www.proactive-info.com
Knowing that they have the staff and expertise to
manage all network issues, at any time of the day, will
provide you peace of mind.
MSP’s charge differently for different services, so be sure you
know what to expect. (Interested in a full suite of essential IT
services offered at a single price point? Talk to us about FITS!)
You’ll want to know when your service begins, if work will
be done in phases, do they work after hours and if so, if
you’ll need to be available.
You’ll need to understand the scope of work, what you’re
paying for, what’s included and when the contract expires.