Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are in charge of managing their client’s IT infrastructure, and keeping their technology running smoothly – something that becomes difficult without the right tools to support them.
With so many options available on the market, finding the best MSP tools for your business can be a daunting task, but there are some things you can keep in mind to help with your decision.
Understand Your Needs
The first step in finding the best MSP tools for your business is to understand your needs. You need to determine what services you want to offer your clients and what tools you need to provide these services efficiently.
For example, if you are offering remote support to your clients, you will need a remote desktop tool that can allow you to access their systems remotely.
On the other hand, if you are offering network monitoring and management services, you will need a tool that can monitor your clients’ networks and alert you when there are any issues.
You can keep a list of the services you want to offer, and the tools you need to provide these services. When you look for MSP tools, you can start checking down the list to see which one fits your needs best, and whether you need to combine multiple tools to achieve your goal.
Research & Compare
The next step after you’ve identified your needs is researching MSP tools and comparing them based on factors such as features, pricing, ease of use, and customer support.
There are many online resources available that can help you research MSP tools, including product review websites, industry forums, and social media platforms.
Make sure to look for reviews and ratings from reputable sources. You should also look for feedback from other MSPs who have used the tools you’re considering. This can give you valuable insights into the pros and cons of what’s available on the market, and help you make an informed decision.
Consider Integrations
MSP tools often need to integrate with other software and systems, such as PSA tools, RMM solutions, and cloud platforms. When selecting MSP tools, it’s important to consider the integrations that are available. Make sure the tools you’re considering have the necessary integrations to work seamlessly with your existing systems.
For example, if you’re using a PSA tool to manage your clients’ billing and contracts, you need to make sure that the MSP tools you’re considering can integrate with your PSA tool. This will allow you to streamline your operations and avoid duplicate data entry.
You also want to find something that can easily integrate with your clients’ systems to minimize the hassle.
Evaluate The Vendor
When selecting MSP tools, it’s also important to evaluate the vendor providing the software. Consider factors such as the vendor’s reputation, track record, customer support, and future development plans.
You want to choose a vendor that is reliable, responsive, and committed to providing high-quality products and services. Look into their history and reputation in the industry, as well as customer reviews and testimonials, and any awards or accolades the vendor may have received.
You should also keep in mind the vendor’s customer support policies, such as the availability of phone and email support, as well as any support resources or training materials they provide.
If your vendor fails you, you may find yourself in a troubling situation, where your clients may also be affected. To make sure your business continues running smoothly, you want your vendors to be reliable.
Try Before You Buy
Most MSP tools come with a free trial or a demo, which you can and should use before you buy it. This will help you evaluate the software and determine if it works as you need it to.
Sometimes, the features being advertised are present, but don’t fulfill all the requirements you have. Being able to see how the tool works in practice will let you identify these, and help you decide if the tool can support you in your business.
During the trial period, you should test the MSP tools in a real-world scenario and evaluate their performance, usability, and features. You should also use this time to get familiar with the vendor’s customer support and evaluate their responsiveness and quality of service.
Consider The Long-term Impact
When selecting MSP tools, you should also be looking at the long-term impact of your decision. This means evaluating factors such as the vendor’s roadmap, product development plans, and commitment to ongoing updates and improvements.
You don’t want to choose a tool that only works for a short while. You want to choose an MSP tool that is future-proof and can grow and evolve with your business.
This means that you should also focus on making sure vendors are committed to innovation and investing in the development of their products. Keeping track of how frequently they release updates and bug fixes, as well as their responses to emerging technology can help you with this.
When your business depends on the type of tool you have, it’s important for the tool itself to be stellar. Keeping these factors in mind will help you find the best MSP tools for your business.
