Searching For IT Services In Frederick, MD (Questions/Answers)

8 Specific Questions To Ask Before Choosing Another IT Services firm In Frederick, MD

We’ve all been there. IT Vendor comes in strong in the beginning, promises the world, and for about the first six months all is well in the world, and your business is gliding along. But then at the first sign of a system hiccup, the provider didn’t catch it in time.

Which seems odd; you’re paying for around the clock monitoring so how could they miss it? But after talking with their help desk, there is no loss, breach, or system failure, plus everything is running smoothly. You pass it off as “No big deal.”

However, the next twelve months prove to be entirely different, and you are now getting more:

• fixes
• patches
• downtimes
• system failures
• vendor excuses

Then you start to become suspicious, “How is it, this so-called ‘professional’ IT services provider in Frederick, MD cannot solve my system problems once and for all?” And like us, you would be correct to question this behavior. So, as you start looking around for a new IT Service provider in the area, and examining the different firms, we’ve got eight specific and pointed questions you can use when interviewing them.

1. May I have 5 Client References I Can Speak With About Your IT Services?

Getting names and contact numbers for current IT clients, you can call and speak to, especially if the contact has been with the provider for a long time, gives you a track record to measure. Their feedback is the proverbial, “Rubber Meets The Road.”

2. What Year Was Your Business Started?

Believe it or not, you may find a company that looks like they’ve been around for decades, but you learn they have only been open less than a year. Will that deter you from using them? Maybe.

3. How Many IT Technicians Do You Have on Staff and How Big is Your Company?

Looking at the scope of your business, would a “One-Man” operation struggle to provide IT services your company must have? There is nothing wrong with a mom and pop IT providers. Some do provide exceptional service, but you have to look at your operation and the actual needs before deciding.

4. Do You Have Cyber Insurance?

Depending on the IT Services company in Fredrick, MD they either have First-Party or Third Party Cyber Liability Insurance. Small IT companies are known for carrying Third Party Cyber Liability Insurance. It’s not as much coverage and protection as First-Party insurance, but not having insurance is playing with fire and could jeopardize your company.

5. May I See The Technology and IT Systems Your Company Uses?

There is something about watching a person who uses the tools and equipment with ease. IT service providers are no different. Skilled and experienced individuals spend hours every day, honing their craft. With that level of commitment, a real technician would relish the idea of stepping you through their process. It’s a badge of honor to show you what they know and how well the tools protect your systems and data.

6. In Your Service Contract What Precisely Do You Support and Are There Extra Fees?

You want to know in great detail everything that the IT service contract covers. You want the IT companies you are scouting to spell it all out. And just as important, you want to know well in advance what is considered an extra charge and not covered under the service contract commitment. Will the additional fees be on:

• Labor
• Mileage
• Phones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Software
• Hardware
• Computers
• Peripherals
• Input devices
• Output devices
• Input/Output Devices
• Replace Failed Servers
• Installation of New Servers

Don’t be surprised if the list turns out to be longer, on the non covered items, that you will be required to pay extra, which the service contract does not include.

7. Are Your Contracts Month to Month or Bind Me to a Time Frame Commitment?

Depending on your company’s operation, what works best for you? Neither option is better than the other. Would a month to month seem more feasible than a 6-month, 12-month or 18-month commitment? Again, these options only reflect your IT service need in Frederick, MD.

8. What Is Your Call In Process?

Some IT firms will only take your calls and help when a system issue happens. Other IT Services companies take other support calls. For example, maybe you have questions or problems with:

• Azure
• Windows 10
• Dynamics NAV
• Dynamics CRM
• Microsoft Office 365
• QlikView or Qlik Sense

When an IT Services provider in Frederick, MD, and their staff invite different types of support calls, it’s their view it adds more value to your service contract and your entire IT services investment.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. Eight precise and pointed questions to ask, IT Service firms in Fredrick, MD. You might have a few of your own. From this day forward, you don’t have to get burned again searching for IT Services in Fredrick, MD.

Like this article? Check out Budgeting For A New Server (Questions/Answers) or Finding The Right Managed Services Provider (Questions/Answers), and Google Apps vs. Microsoft Office 365
(Network Optimization & Management).