In this article
Choosing a managed IT partner is a decision the company feels every single day. A good partner prevents problems and lets the business get on; a bad one costs time, money and patience. Before signing, confirm eight points: a written SLA, security included, tested backups, local presence, transparent pricing, clear exit terms, documentation of the infrastructure and comparable references.
The eight points to confirm
- Written SLA — with response and resolution times.
- Cybersecurity included — antivirus/EDR, firewall and good practice.
- Tested backups — and a recovery plan.
- On-site intervention — a visit to your premises when needed.
- Transparent pricing — you know exactly what is included.
- A clear exit — no lock-in or, at the very least, explicit exit terms.
- Documentation — an inventory and record of your infrastructure.
- References — from clients in your sector or of your size.
Three warning signs
- Very cheap proposals That leave out security and backups.
- Nothing in writing Deadlines and scope agreed only verbally.
- Long lock-in periods With no justification.
What is cheap at the outset usually turns out expensive at the first incident.
DataRoad IT Unlimited
Talk to DataRoad. We assess your operation and propose the right plan.
Four questions for the meeting
- How quickly do you respond to a critical emergency?
- Who is responsible for our account?
- What happens to our data and access if we leave?
- How do you communicate and report on the work done?
Frequently asked questions
Should price be the main criterion?
No. The criterion is value: SLA, security, backups and reliability. A cheap proposal that excludes the essentials costs more at the first serious problem.
Does it make a difference if the partner is nearby?
It does. A partner with on-site support arrives quickly when work needs doing on the ground, within the agreed time.
Should I turn down contracts with a lock-in period?
It is not essential, but insist on clear exit terms. At DataRoad, the contract is annual, with automatic renewal, 60 days' notice and no lock-in period.
Next step
DataRoad - IT Services and Consulting meets every point on this list in every contract. See DataRoad's on-site support for SMEs and, for the extended version with an evaluation grid, our guide how to choose the best MSP in Portugal. Ask for a no-obligation proposal. More than 10 workstations · support contract · remote, on-site and telephone support.
