Errors to Keep away from When Selecting Managed Microsoft 365 Providers

15 March 2023

Microsoft 365 is a strong platform that permits companies to streamline their operations, improve collaboration, and enhance productiveness. Nevertheless, managing Microsoft 365 will be difficult, and never each enterprise has the sources and experience to deal with it in-house. That’s the place a managed service provider is available in.

An MSP is a third-party firm that gives a variety of companies to handle your Microsoft 365 setting. These companies can embrace migration, implementation, monitoring, safety, and upkeep. Nevertheless, not all service suppliers are created equal, and selecting the unsuitable one will be expensive and disruptive to your small business. On this article, we’ll discover the highest 5 errors to keep away from when selecting a Microsoft 365 managed service supplier.

Not Contemplating the Supplier’s Experience and Expertise

Microsoft 365 is a fancy platform, and managing it requires experience and expertise. When selecting a managed service supplier, it’s essential to evaluate the supplier’s degree of experience and expertise with the platform. You need to search for a supplier that has a deep understanding of M365 and a observe document of profitable implementations and administration.

You’ll be able to consider a supplier’s experience and expertise by taking a look at their certifications, case research, and buyer references. Microsoft provides a number of certifications for its services and products, and a supplier that holds certifications in workplace 365 demonstrates their dedication to staying updated with the most recent applied sciences and finest practices.

Moreover, you’ll be able to ask the supplier for case research and buyer references to see how they’ve helped different companies with their Microsoft 365 setting. This data will provide you with an thought of how the supplier works and whether or not they have the required expertise to handle your Microsoft 365 setting.

Failing to Consider the Supplier’s Service Stage Agreements (SLAs)

Service level agreements (SLAs) are a necessary a part of any managed service supplier contract. SLAs outline the extent of service you’ll be able to anticipate from the supplier and set up the metrics used to measure their efficiency. Failing to guage the supplier’s SLAs can result in misunderstandings and disappointment down the highway.

When evaluating a Microsoft 365 managed service supplier, it’s best to pay shut consideration to their SLAs. Search for SLAs that present clear and measurable metrics for response time, uptime, and determination instances. You must also be certain that the SLAs are lifelike and achievable.

Along with evaluating the SLAs, you must also assessment the supplier’s incident administration and escalation processes. These processes must be clearly outlined and documented, and it’s best to perceive how incidents will likely be reported, tracked, and resolved.

Overlooking Safety and Compliance Necessities

Safety and compliance are important concerns for any enterprise that makes use of Microsoft 365. When selecting an MSP, it’s essential to make sure that the supplier has the required experience and instruments to handle safety and compliance necessities.

You need to search for a supplier that has expertise with safety and compliance requirements, like ISO licensed. The supplier must also have expertise with Microsoft’s safety and compliance instruments, equivalent to Microsoft Defender and Azure Data Safety.

It’s additionally important to know the supplier’s safety and compliance processes and the way they’ll maintain your information safe. You need to ask the supplier about their safety insurance policies, entry controls, and information backup and restoration processes.

Selecting a Supplier Based mostly on Value Alone

Selecting a Microsoft 365 MSP based mostly on value alone could be a expensive mistake. Whereas value is a necessary consideration, it shouldn’t be the one issue you take into account when selecting a supplier.

Low-priced suppliers could lack the required experience and expertise to handle your Microsoft 365 setting successfully. They could additionally lack the instruments and sources wanted to offer high-quality service. It’s essential to decide on a supplier that gives a steadiness of high quality and worth.

When evaluating suppliers, it’s best to examine the companies they provide and their pricing fashions. Search for suppliers that supply clear pricing with no hidden charges or prices. You must also consider the supplier’s contract phrases and termination clauses to make sure which you can simply terminate the settlement if crucial.

It’s additionally essential to contemplate the supplier’s scalability and suppleness. As your small business grows and evolves, your Microsoft 365 setting might want to adapt. Search for suppliers that supply versatile service plans that may accommodate your altering wants.

Ignoring the Supplier’s Buyer Assist and Communication

Buyer help and communication are essential elements in selecting a managed service supplier. You want a supplier that’s responsive and offers clear and well timed communication.

When evaluating a supplier, it’s best to ask about their buyer help processes and repair degree agreements. Search for suppliers that supply 24/7 help and have a devoted help crew. You must also consider the supplier’s communication channels, equivalent to e mail, telephone, and chat, to make sure which you can simply attain them while you want help.

Moreover, it’s best to assess the supplier’s communication and reporting processes. Search for suppliers that present common standing updates and studies on the efficiency of your Workplace 365 setting.

Conclusion

Selecting a managed Microsoft 365 service supplier is a vital choice that requires cautious consideration. By avoiding these frequent errors, you will discover a supplier that meets your small business’s wants and helps you get essentially the most out of your Microsoft 365 setting. Bear in mind to guage the supplier’s experience and expertise, service degree agreements, safety and compliance, pricing, and buyer help and communication earlier than making your choice. With the correct supplier, you’ll be able to be certain that your Microsoft 365 setting is safe, dependable, and optimized for your small business’s wants.

At Star Data, we’ve got a reliable workers of managed service specialists ready to deal with every part out of your Microsoft 365 necessities. get in contact with us to find out how we may help.