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Originally Posted On: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Managed Wireless Service (northriverit.com)

 

A company’s IT infrastructure plays a large role in its overall efficiency. This is especially true as more and more businesses begin to expand their digital strategies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hiring a managed wireless service provider is able to handle your IT obligations, and this is an opportunity that many entrepreneurs take advantage of. But, there’s a handful of common mistakes that you’ll need to avoid while searching for the one that’s right for you.

Not quite sure how to go about it? We’ve got all the info you need. Let’s explore everything you should keep in mind on your search.

1. They Can’t Handle Your Needs if You Scale

As the company grows, so will your IT needs. This directly results in requiring an IT infrastructure that’s able to accommodate the increasing size of your business.

If you work with a service provider that isn’t able to scale your level of service as your company grows, you’ll be left with a large amount of wasted potential. Instead, it’s best to seek out a firm that offers multiple tiers of service that you can upgrade to when necessary.

You should also inquire whether or not you can pay for resources as you need them or if you’re required to enter a different agreement.

2. They Don’t Share their Past Clients

This concept applies to working with virtually any type of professional. If you aren’t able to take a look at the past work, you’ll have no way of knowing if the time and money you invest is worth it.

Most firms are proud to show off the clients that they’ve worked for. In fact, they’ll make it fairly easy to find examples of the work they’ve done. If a firm is unable to provide a list of their past clients for projects (or refuses to do so), it’s highly recommended to continue your search elsewhere.

3. Their Promises Sound Too Good to Be True

It’s important to look for the best service possible since having a strong IT infrastructure is so crucial to your company’s performance and development. But, you also need to be wary of promises that sound far too good to be true.

For example, avoid any service providers that claim they can offer unrealistic speeds or performance, those that advertise prices that are far below those of their industry competitors, etc.

These are typically false claims that will leave you paying far more than you should for low-quality service.

4. They Don’t Have Contemporary Hardware/Software

The technology space is one that requires those involved to constantly on top of emerging trends and changes. Even slightly outdated software could have security flaws that hackers can easily take advantage of, for example.

The same can be said about hardware, although there is more leeway before your service provider will need to upgrade their equipment.

If the provider you’re looking to work with is still operating on equipment from the 2000s, though, you can use this as an index of how strongly they prioritize keeping their machines and software up-to-date.

5. They’re Not Experienced in Working With Your Type of Business

Different companies have different needs, and some businesses will need a more involved level of service than others.

For example, there is a strong disparity between the needs of a clothing brand’s online store and a business that operates as a wholesale provider. 
While you don’t need to find a firm that exclusively works with companies in your niche, they should be thoroughly experienced at handling the needs of companies similar to yours.

6. They Don’t Prioritize Response Time

There’s no point in working with a provider that’s impossible to get in touch with. This also poses a significant security risk, as you may not be able to get ahold of their maintenance team during a crucial moment.

Additionally, it could be frustrating to have a hard time speaking to a representative when you want to discuss changing your plan, different service options, etc. Fortunately, firms that are highly responsive typically make a large effort to convey this to potential clients, making them relatively easy to find.

7. They Don’t Offer a Service Level Agreement (SLA)

A service level agreement is a contract between you and your service provider that guarantees a certain level of performance. No matter the circumstances, the firm you work with must adhere to these terms.

This is highly beneficial for business owners, as they will have the reassurance that they won’t experience any interruptions in their performance.

Working with a managed service provider that does not offer a service level agreement is a huge risk that you shouldn’t undertake.

A common scenario involves a business owner signing an agreement with a firm that advertises high levels of performance, uptime, etc. But, if there’s no guarantee regarding the minimum level of service the entrepreneur will receive, they may not be able to take full advantage of this business relationship.

So, be sure to inquire about an SLA before you finalize your decision.

Find the Right Managed Wireless Service Provider

But the above information will make the process far easier than you expect. From here, you’ll be able to ensure that the managed wireless service provider is ideal for your business.