I'm curious about how everyone goes about vetting managed service providers (MSPs). With so many options out there, it can be tough to figure out who to trust based on reviews alone. I received a call from TechMD this week, and they seemed promising, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with them or has tips on what to look for when selecting an MSP.
4 Answers
Consider the size fit, check their references from comparable customers, and ensure they have a tech stack that matches your needs. Operational maturity is key as well — look for well-organized services, documented procedures, and quality metrics like SLAs.
I've talked about the big lack of standards in this field. It’s really tough to gauge what working with an MSP will be like until you start. For example, initial response SLAs can vary so much — does it mean someone just looked at it, or that work has begun? I'd suggest being careful. Get a proof of concept to test their service and responsiveness before committing. Avoid long-term contracts until you’re confident about them as a partner.
It’s important to determine what you're ultimately looking for. Remember, if you go with an MSP, just having them might not be enough — you could end up needing staff augmentation too. I've looked at TechMD and noticed they pay around $28-32 per hour for L2 techs while still demanding certifications. That raises a red flag about the quality of people they might have on your projects. Make sure you assess their pay structure and what roles they're hiring for, as it could affect their service quality.
One thing I do is set up meetings with the MSPs to understand their operations and what their business integration involves. You really need to dig into how they work to get a clearer picture.
Totally agree! But how can you really judge their legitimacy overall?