By Julien Ngo

When the time comes to select between near similar items, everyone faces a dilemma. The bard of English literature had also drawn a similar expression in his classics which could be rephrased to state to choose or not to choose, that is the question. Long after a decision has been finalized, the lingering feeling of uncertainty persists. This dilemma is prevalent in the information technology field too and therefore the question of how to choose the best managed service provider software is indeed one worthy of consideration.

The answer to this question of how to choose the best managed service lies in the aspect of what benefits do we wish to accrue from this selection. The basic features claimed in every managed service provider software are something all are well versed with. That it should provide information about the network and its working. That it should help in diagnosing the network problem and offer means to deploy the solution network wide from one single location. That it should be customizable to meet the changing needs of the business house and its operations are all well established facts and known to exist in every MSP software that is available in the market.

How to choose the best managed service would be best replied if one measured how these basic features are transformed into reality, thereby providing ease of work load on the network manager as well as to meet the requirements of the business house.

It is important to note that the client pays a third party for maintaining and monitoring its network resources. This is the basic business principle on which any managed service system works. The selected MSP should therefore be a proactive one. Waiting for an error or problem to occur on the network and then attending or rectifying it should not be the MSP method of operation. The MSP should be such that it is able to sense the defect before it occurs and initiate preventive measures to stop the error from occurring and causing any harm to the network.

With all preventive measures in place given Murphy and his laws on probability, there is bound to be a breakdown in the network. Quick response by the MSP to rescue and restore the network is another measurable criterion for selection of the MSP.

Criticality of the data and the applications that process this data of an enterprise network needs no amplification. The MSP is expected to restore the network to a clean point of operation where the data and application both were functioning correctly. MSP that takes regular backups of the entire network and archives the same would be able to complete the restoration process efficiently.

MSP must also be able to advise the client on the various changes that are occurring in the volatile IT field and the possibility or feasibility of implementing the same in the existing network for higher efficiency.

Data in the correct hands is wealth and when it lands into wrong hands is the primary reason for the company or organization's ill health. The MSP therefore should have a robust security tier in place, sniffing and guarding the system from any malicious threats.

Verification of the managed service provider's credentials is one other important factor to be considered while choosing an MSP. A good method would be to obtain reference of previous or other places where the MSP has been implemented.

These guidelines are sure to help in answering the question of how to choose the best managed service provider.

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