Konica Minolta: How to make the most of your managed IT service provider
Much in the same way you support your clients through an expert understanding of the law and legal landscape, we Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) are here to provide your business with expert assistance in maintaining and sourcing the right systems for your essential operations. Because we often operate behind the scenes its easy to take us for granted, but it is worth remembering that like a good legal practice, we are at our most effective when we work in partnership with our clients.
The best MSP relationships are built on collaboration, enabling your team to concentrate on the core business whilst the IT experts unburden you of IT worries. Here are my suggestions on how you can take full advantage of your IT service investment by making the most of your MSP relationship.
Have a long-term strategy
It is all too easy to sign a basic IT service contract and to let it run in the background – however, I would argue the contract is just the starting point in the relationship! The best customer/MSP relationships with the most successful outcomes are pragmatic and explore the evolving needs of the business.
Working with an expert MSP you can explore the latest innovations and technology, finding the best value-for-money and practical solutions to support your business and team. You can also plan further ahead, anticipating potential issues and mitigating against them. The pandemic has been a great example of how sensible planning and flexible systems can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.
Leave your preconceptions behind
MSPs love technology, after all its our area of expertise! But a good MSP knows the technology is just a tool to enable businesses to work smarter and more efficiently, so business needs must always be the primary driver.
You may have had a bad relationship with a provider in the past or have felt they didn’t offer value for money. This can easily taint a new relationship, so it is vital to find an MSP that will listen to you and will build the right relationship of trust. However big or small your budget is, it is important that you get value for money on your investments.
Exploring solutions together
Having a good working relationship with your MSP is essential for both sides. I would recommend an Innovation Workshops approach, where your relevant team members can have open and candid conversations on your IT pain points as well as exploring your long-term goals. You can have a friendly conversation about the technology available, explore what your competitors are doing and get expert advice and guidance on how your business could benefit from the solutions on offer.
There are different options to ‘test the water’ – be that proof-of-concept projects (that are free or subject to basic costs only) and sandboxing, where systems are tested in isolation to assess their suitability for your business without any risks to your ongoing operations.
Finding an approach that works for you
Every business is different, and you know the workings and politics of your firm. In some cases, you may have a highly knowledgeable IT team or person that wants to take the lead with the support of an MSP, or you may be looking for the MSP to take the reins and steer your technology journey.
Whatever the best approach is, it needs to be a strategic partnership rather than just a contractual/financial one. The best MSP relationships will also provide value-add beyond the contract, be that trusted advise or an expert opinion which can save you a lot of unnecessary expense or (even worse) choosing solutions which will fail to meet your needs and/or disrupt your business operations.
I would also add that it is essential that you take a firm interest in your MSP and the IT needs of your business. As we all know, with the recent socialising restrictions it has been harder to build or maintain interactions between businesses and their clients, but like your legal business, it is virtually impossible for an MSP to deliver the value and service you need if you don’t interact sufficiently with them.
Taking advantage of your investment
Trust me when I say that MSPs want to deliver value to your business. As skilled professionals we take a pride in ensuring your IT provision is well matched to your operational needs and enables you to be successful – in much the same way you support your clients and their successful outcomes, knowing the solution works is a big reward both professionally and personally.
There is rarely a set template for getting an MSP and client relationship right, it must be tailored to the specific needs of the people and systems in place. However, working together we can take the opportunity to add real value and to deliver the support which enables you to do the same with your own clients.
For further advice on how a Managed Service Provider can help your legal practice or business please visit: www.konicaminolta.co.uk/en-gb/solutions/it-services/managed-it-services
