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Managed IT Services Network Server Management

10 Questions to Ask Your Managed IT Services Provider

There are a variety of managed IT services as well as Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs). If you are interested in hiring an MSP for your business’s technology needs, you need to know what you are getting into. Similar to any hiring process, there are several key things to learn before hiring an MSP.

It is essential to ask specific questions to gain as much insight as possible about the MSP, their services, and more. While each provider may differ slightly in their answers, there are certain aspects to look for in these answers.

Keep reading to figure out which questions will get you the answers you need to make a good decision about the best MSP for you!

How do you structure your pricing?

Many MSPs will probably have similar pricing for similar services. Therefore, it is important to figure out what your budget is and which services are most important for you and your business. You will want to know if there is a down payment, if all costs are paid upfront, whether or not you are billed monthly, or if there are different options for billing frequency. This will give you an idea of what you are getting yourself into financially.

What pricing do you offer?

Going off the pricing structure, you want to determine if your potential MSP will offer customized pricing for the services you need. Many successful MSPs will offer pricing that varies based specifically on the needs of your business. This flexibility is important when deciding on an MSP.

Is there an option to co-manage?

A lot of companies have their own IT departments. If you go with an MSP, you can outsource your IT department to another company. However, that does not mean you cannot keep internal IT staff. In fact, it may be beneficial to have an IT person on your team co-manage alongside your MSP to ensure there is consistency in the work.

What security do you have in place?

When it comes to technology and data, security is one of the top things you should be worried about. You will want to figure out how the MSP plans to protect your data and information. Their cybersecurity measures benefit both parties.

What insight can you get me?

Insight into different networks is essential. You will want to ensure that your MSP values accuracy and can give you transparent answers to all your needs or questions.

Do you recommend any hardware or software in particular?

Not only should your service provider be using the best hardware and software, but they should also be able to recommend some for you. In addition, they should want their clients to have the best technology to ensure protection, safety, and functionality.

Is there a service-level agreement?

A service-level agreement (SLA) is a direct contract between the MSP and the client that guarantees the provider will be spending dedicated quality time with the client and their business. This may seem small, but you want to ensure this is in place before you begin work to ensure that there are direct measures to get you what you need as the client. Be sure to come to an agreement on things such as availability, guaranteed response times, and items in-scope vs out-of-scope.

How often is the contract renewed?

The contract you sign to begin working with your MSP does not last forever. Generally, they are renewed annually. The first time you sign on with an MSP, you may want to opt for a one-year contract. However, after officially testing the MSP for a year, you will want to negotiate a longer-term contract.

What accreditations does the company have?

A company that has certain skill levels or completed certain programs is generally more reputable than one that has less experience. Some certifications and accreditations are worth more than others. Consider asking your MSP about their experience and credentials.

Can I talk to someone who has already worked with you?

One way to ensure customer happiness is to talk to a previous client of the MSP; this can provide insight into what the client liked or did not like and whether or not they chose to stay. Typically, your MSP should provide you with a client who is open and honest about the service quality of the MSP.

Next Steps in the Selection of an MSP

Now that you know what to ask, you will want to begin searching for an MSP that will be great for you. You may want to consider starting a list and calling one by one to get started in your search. However, before signing a contract, make sure you compare a couple of MSPs and their answers to the questions above!

Contact We Solve Problems IT

If you need a reliable MSP that is up to date with their technology and can provide you with valuable technology insights for years to come, consider contacting We Solve Problems IT. They have over 15 years of combined experience in the field and have served many happy clients in the Los Angeles area. Take your questions to WSP today and inquire about managed IT services for your growing business.

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Managed IT Services Network Server Management

Why Your Organization Needs Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are some of the best ways for businesses to cut costs when it comes to technology. Hiring a managed IT service provider (MSP) can cut costs for your business and make it more efficient. Not only can these services be incredibly helpful, but many providers offer various services to meet your unique needs as a business.

Whether you are considering starting a business or have one up and running, you will need to invest some money and time into building an IT team. That said, managed IT services can be a great way to save money and time for your company’s tech. 

Read on to discover more about managed IT services and how they can directly benefit your business!

What are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services are typically used by small businesses that may not have an in-house IT team to manage their technology and IT needs. They offer their services at a flat rate to help a company with its tech needs, such as protecting its network, backing up data, and troubleshooting issues that arise. It is a convenient way to get IT support without hiring an entire team to work in-house.

This type of outsourcing provides small businesses with the support they need regarding technology. Generally, these managed IT service providers have teams that work together alongside a small business to create a package and a plan that works well for that business’s needs. They will help manage day-to-day issues, prevent long-term problems, and troubleshoot when necessary.

Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services

Like any service, there are pros and cons of managed IT services. Before deciding on whether or not to hire an outsourced IT service, consider the following:

Pros

  1. Consistent Monitoring: IT service teams will work directly with you to monitor your systems. This helps prevent security breaches and allows them to track data.
  2. Technology: While this does not apply to all providers, some of them will supply your business with devices and the right network. This is a benefit you can’t overlook due to the high cost of choosing and buying technology today. 
  3. Expertise: It can be expensive to put together a team of IT managers. Luckily, sourcing a team from a service provider gets you access to experts for an affordable price. These experts have typically worked for years on IT issues and can directly work alongside you and your team to serve your needs as a business.
  4. Cost: Compared to hiring in-house support, managed IT can be very cost-effective. 

Cons

  1. Remote Support: While outsourcing your IT services has many benefits; you may feel the repercussion of not having an in-person IT team. There are times when there will be conflicts with scheduling and meeting times due to the lack of physical presence. These service providers may not be local to your area, meaning virtual meetings are the only option.
  2. Different Cost Models: It’s important to evaluate the costs associated with outsourcing your IT with the time and expenses required to maintain a robust team in house. There may be upfront fees when partnering with an MSP; as well as ongoing contracts that need to be renewed. Consider what you can afford to pay while looking at the packages service providers offer. 

Why You Need Managed IT Services

For most businesses, the pros of managed IT services outweigh the cons. Here are additional benefits to keep in mind as you consider whether or not you need to consider managed IT services.

Support

Having expert tech support can be a win for any business. Many businesses hire in-house IT experts. While this can seem beneficial, it can be costly and not always worthwhile. Managed IT service providers can work just as quickly and efficiently as an in-house team. 

There are around-the-clock providers available for assistance at any time. Many service providers offer teams of IT tech experts to continuously monitor your business network and work alongside you to ensure everything runs effectively and smoothly. 

Expertise

MSPs know all the ins and outs of their industry and keep up to date with emerging changes. They are highly knowledgeable about a variety of technology, which means that they can offer root-cause solutions and informed recommendations about the best tech, software, and processes for their clients. 

Predictability

When it comes to services, many people want to know what they are getting. This is something that you will be getting when you hire a service provider. Costs and services are presented upfront so you know exactly what your service provider will be doing and how much it will cost. 

Security

Security is a big issue when it comes to technology. Protecting your network is one of the most important things you can do. Managed IT services make this their priority  . Not only will they protect you from security breaches, but they can also protect your data, benefiting you and your business in the long term.

Partner with a Managed IT Service Provider

Technology is necessary to build a successful business. However, not everyone is an expert when it comes to technology use. There are a lot of people who need support. This is where managed IT service providers like We Solve Problems come into play. Working alongside WSP offers direct access to experts who can enhance your knowledge while helping maintain your business. Reach out to WSP IT to get started with your technology assessment today.

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Network Server Management

Why You Should Hire a Professional WiFi Installation Company to Set Up Your Network

Technology has, inarguably, changed the way we do business. Companies today can operate with high speed, get more customers, serve more people worldwide, and improve their services or product quality, all thanks to technology. On the downside, a poorly designed technological infrastructure can become a liability that can sink a business. This is particularly true with wireless networking. Considering reliable WiFi is now as vital as running water, it can be critical to the overall performance of your business’s wireless networking infrastructure. That is why you need the help of a professional WiFi Installation Company to help set it up for you.

Why Hire An Expert Managed WiFi Installation Company?

To remain competitive, especially with the ongoing pandemic, your business needs a fast and secure network infrastructure. But even large IT teams have trouble keeping up with the plethora of changes that impact wireless networks. The world that we live in now is rapidly changing, and you need a digital infrastructure to withstand this transformation.

If your organization is big enough to have in-house wireless networking specialists, then you are good. However, given that wireless networking skills (as a career specialization), are extremely rare amongst most companies, this could be quite a challenge.

Your WiFi’s availability, security, and performance are critical to your business continuity, reputation, and of course, profitability. 

Hiring a WiFi installation company will take the complexity out of the whole process if you don’t have in-house IT teams. For example, at We Solve Problems, we wrap up all of the wireless networking hardware, managed network services, and software into one monthly subscription cost.

In addition to installing your WiFi, we can handle your WiFi design process that’s a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Working with a WiFi installation company will mean:

  • You don’t have to hire your own team of expensive professionals for designing, installing, configuring, and managing your wireless networking system
  • You don’t have to spend months researching what WiFi hardware you need to buy
  • You don’t have to pick the “right” combination of WiFi management software


If your WiFi’s speed and security are crucial to your organization, make sure you choose a WiFi installation company that has the necessary expertise and a successful track record.

Why We Are Los Angeles’ #1 WiFi Installation Company

We Solve Problems has assembled a team of highly trained and certified wireless networking specialists.

While installing a customized WiFi network, we use a predictive RF (radio frequency) design. We model your wireless networking environment, so you have a network design that’s specifically optimized for your capacity and coverage needs.

We also perform an on-site WiFi site survey to help you gain invaluable insight into your WiFi performance. Installing WiFi is not a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing for us; we continuously monitor your network and update the software to protect your company from the risks of outdated WiFi.

Contact We Solve Problems For Customized WiFi Design and Installation

Now that you know the benefits of hiring a managed WiFi partner, you can get started on improving the overall performance of your business’s wireless networking infrastructure. To book a wireless design consultation with We Solve Problems, call us at 310-998-7070 or leave us a message online.

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Network Server Management

Malware Protection: 3 Signs Your Network is Compromised

Cyberattacks are already extremely common and increasing in frequency and severity each year, which is also making malware protection very important for every business. According to one study, an average organization experiences 130 security breaches every year. If that’s not scary enough, 60% of all small- and medium-sized businesses are forced to shut down within 6 months of a cyberattack.

The purpose behind these attacks could be anything from damaging a company’s reputation to accessing sensitive information to sell on the black market. Whatever the goal of the hacker is, the end result is almost always devastating for the company. 

The cyberattacks or hacking techniques are designed to trick the security systems, but there are always little hints that can make you aware of their presence on your network. Let’s take a look at some indicators that could signal a malware attack on your system and how to get malware protection in place.

Ransomware Messages

If you or your employees are getting ransomware messages on your system, it obviously means that the network has been compromised with malicious software (malware). These messages generally appear on the front page of the website and prevent you from accessing the content unless you pay a specified amount of money (online).

It’s important to note that these attacks don’t necessarily happen because someone in your company visited an “infected” website while at work. Sometimes, it could be that an employee opens a spam message or email that directs them to download infected files. Since these emails/messages look extremely legit, people don’t think twice before doing what the email asks them to do.

The best way to handle these situations is to contact malware protection experts right away; don’t pay the demanded money immediately. We also recommend shutting down and disconnecting the infected parts of the systems to prevent any further damage. 

Sudden Encryptions

Another common malware attack involves hackers encrypting files, and preventing access to them until the company pays the “ransom”. It is similar to ransomware in this way, but it’s not as easily detectable.

It’s nearly impossible for non-IT professionals to detect encrypted files until they click on them and find they can’t open them. So, consider taking proactive safeguards against malware issues. You can do this by hiring a professional malware prevention company. These experts know how to identify the malware, no matter how sophisticated it is. 

Systems Functioning Without Internal Input(s)

It’s safe to say that a mouse cursor should not be moving on its own. If it seems like someone else is controlling things, that’s a clear sign of remote desktop hacking via malware.

In this case, immediately disconnect all affected computers from the network, and then try to figure out the point of entry. We also recommend monitoring your network traffic for suspicious activity. You should also sign out of all services and programs on the affected machine and run a thorough virus scan.

Contact The #1 Malware Protection Partner in Los Angeles

Are you experiencing any of the telltale signs mentioned above? If yes, we can help. At We Solve Problems, our highly skilled cybersecurity experts can help limit the adverse effects of an existing attack and ensure you don’t fall victim to similar attacks in the future.
Call us at 310-998-7070 or reach us online, and we will be happy to provide comprehensive malware protection, spyware protection, and protection against other viruses too.