Cost is often a major factor in business decisions, and choosing a managed IT service provider is no different. However, the price you pay is likely to be reflected in the quality of service you receive in return.
There are a number of factors that influence the monthly fee you’ll pay, including:
The size of your company (or the number of users/devices that are covered) The level of service you require The expertise and reputation of the MSP The payment terms agreed
In terms of actual payment options, companies may offer the following terms:
Pay-as-you-go support - Paid at an hourly rate or a fixed price, and usually the more expensive option in the long run. Break-fix support - Charged hourly, either paid in advance or afterwards. It can also be offered on a fixed-price contract. Managed service support - The support company actively manages your systems on a retained contract to reduce the chance of things going wrong.
There’s more to think about than simply the price you pay. Think about the return on investment, rather than seeing it as an ongoing fee.
As mentioned earlier, one of the key advantages of outsourcing your IT is that it can give you greater control over your finances. It can help both in terms of budget planning, and in cost control by saving on things like staff salaries and unexpected IT costs. And IT support can also provide greater productivity by reducing downtime - which in turn usually means improved revenue and profits.
So, although cost may be a motivating factor, think about the bigger picture - paying more for a premium service usually means you’ll get even better results, meaning the return on your initial investment is greatly increased.