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 finalised, 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 customisable 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 these features are adapted to suit the business house's needs and how these features are implemented that it makes the task of network management an easier task to be performed are the factors that need to be looked into while replying the query of how to choose the best managed service. It has to be remembered that managed service is a system where a third party is maintaining and motoring a clients resources. In turn the client pays money to the Managed service provider for the service. It is therefore essential that the chosen MSP is a proactive one. Meaning, the service provider should not wait for a defect to occur for fixing it, rather be able to sense the defect before hand, indicate and initiate corrective or preventive measures. However effective or proactive the MSP is, given Murphy's laws of probability the chance of a breakdown yet occurring on the network is rife. Quick response and speedy restoration in the event of such an occurrence on the network is the mark of a good 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.
The 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. Security of the network, more so the data which is critical and could be misused if available to wrong people is an important factor for consideration while selecting an MSP. MSP that implements a strict and secure system is the best choice.
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.
