If you are here, it’s probably because you are looking for a Managed IT Services Provider to maintain the functionality of your Google Cloud environment, safeguard your data, and enhance your workforce’s efficiency.
Essentially, your MSP should function as a collaborator, contributing to cost-effectiveness and increased earnings within your company. To accomplish this goal, it’s crucial to confirm that your MSP adequately fulfills all your business’ IT needs.
In this blog post, we create a clear and easy actionable guide to help you choose your ideal managed service provider to handle your Google Cloud environment. Stay tuned!
Key Takeaways
Google Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer expertise in Google Cloud, operational management, strategic planning, security, compliance, cost optimization, technical support, and innovation to support customers, as well as helping Canadian businesses grow in their cloud journey.
IT Managed Cloud Services involve outsourcing cloud management responsibilities to improve operations, cut expenses, and ensure the effective use of cloud resources.
MSPs should have experience in your business vertical. Establish partnerships with key vendors in the Google Cloud ecosystem, provide efficient IT helpdesk services, ensure reliable compliance support, offer scalable solutions tailored to your business needs, perform proactive network monitoring, and be capable of providing on-site support when necessary.
Choosing the right MSP is crucial for operational efficiency and success, as they alleviate IT challenges, understand industry-specific requirements, and provide tailored corporate technology solutions to meet evolving business needs.
What Are Google Managed Service Providers (MSP)?
Google Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are specialized partners within the Google Cloud ecosystem that offer comprehensive management and operational services for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments. Here’s a detailed look at what they provide:
Expertise in Google Cloud
MSPs have in-depth knowledge of Google Cloud products and services, enabling them to manage complex cloud infrastructures effectively.
Operational Management
They take on the responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of a client’s cloud environment, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Strategic Planning
MSPs assist with long-term strategic planning for cloud deployments, helping businesses to align their cloud initiatives with their overall business goals.
Security and Compliance
They help maintain security protocols and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, which is critical for small businesses handling sensitive data.
Cost Optimization
MSPs provide cost management services, helping clients optimize their spending and get the most value from their cloud investments.
Technical Support
They offer ongoing technical support and troubleshooting, which is essential for maintaining high availability and performance.
Innovation and Modernization
MSPs support businesses in adopting new technologies and modernizing their IT infrastructure through Google Cloud.
Google Managed Service Providers are trusted advisors and operational experts who help businesses navigate the complexities of cloud computing, ensuring that their Google Cloud environments are secure, compliant, efficient, and aligned with their business objectives.
They are a subset of Google Cloud Partners, specifically focused on managed services.
IT Managed Cloud Services
IT Managed Cloud Services refer to outsourcing cloud management responsibilities and functions to improve operations and cut expenses while ensuring the effective use of cloud resources. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Complete or Partial Management
This comprehensive suite of services can include the complete or partial management and control of a client’s cloud resources, such as infrastructure, applications, and security measures.
Managed Cloud Service Provider (MCSP)
An MCSP is a vendor or cloud platform that offers managed cloud services. They can be directly connected to the cloud resource provider or operate as a third-party server.
The scope of the responsibilities covered by a managed cloud service provider encompasses migration, optimization, security, configuration, system upgrades, and maintenance in a cloud-native modernization context.
How It Works
Managed cloud services allow an organization to outsource cloud management to an as-a-service option. This ensures that cloud resources are running well while avoiding the costs of hiring a full-time team to manage those resources.
Service Inclusion
The inclusion of managed cloud services can occur at any time throughout the cloud solution lifecycle and help keep up with the ever-changing cloud ecosystem.
Benefits of IT Managed Cloud Services
The primary purpose of engaging a managed cloud services provider (MCSP) is to optimize the benefits of cloud services while minimizing the time and costs incurred by the business and its overall day-to-day functions.
Flexibility
Managed cloud allows the organization to select which IT functions to control in-house and which IT infrastructure or functions will reside with outside vendors and data centers.
Infrastructure
The service provider has its infrastructure that owns, operates, and maintains the data storage. Using automation, this infrastructure is available in a cloud environment.
Payment Model
Typically, outsourcing a managed cloud service follows an as-a-service subscription model where resources are accessed online.
Real-Time Support
The service provider must ensure that all information or data is up-to-date and available to the customer or organization for real-time support when an issue occurs, along with performance monitoring and security management.
What Is Managed IT Support?
Managed IT Support refers to a service model where a specialized third-party provider, known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), assumes the responsibility for the entirety of your company’s IT infrastructure.
This encompasses proactive monitoring, management of systems and networks, strategic technological planning, and immediate technical support.
The objective is to offer a proactive approach to IT management, aiming to identify and resolve potential issues before they can impact your business operations, contrasting with the traditional reactive approach that addresses problems only after they occur.
Essentially, it’s a strategic partnership that ensures your IT environment is efficient, secure, and aligned with your business objectives.
Checklist for Choosing Google Managed Service Providers
1. Look for Experience in Your Business Vertical
When you look for a trusted IT partner to manage your Google Apps, make sure they have the necessary experience in your business vertical to ensure they understand your industry’s unique requirements, including compliance standards relevant to Google Cloud services or how well these services integrate with the rest of your existing software solutions.
When you are looking for an MSP, your goal should be to form a long-term partnership, and you can’t do that with someone who doesn’t understand your industry’s unique requirements.
If a company is trying to be all things to all people, they may lack focus and are unlikely to be knowledgeable about your business. They are unable to adapt their procedures to your specific requirements. And that’s exactly what you’re looking for in a professional managed IT service provider: a customized, repeatable procedure.
2. Third-Party Vendor Partnerships
Verify if the MSP has established partnerships with key vendors in the Google Cloud ecosystem with companies like Google, Microsoft, and others, to leverage benefits like discounts and certified support services.
The components of your Google Cloud infrastructure include software, hardware, and various services like Google Workspace consulting services. Many Managed Service Providers (MSPs) typically foster alliances with vendors like Google Cloud, Microsoft, Lenovo, IBM, offering numerous advantages for your company.
These advantages may include discounts on procurements, certified setup, and support services. It’s advisable to verify whether your MSP has established partnerships with these vendors. Normally, a Google Cloud Partner or a Microsoft Solutions Partner will display a badge somewhere on their website, typically on the homepage, to let you know they are a verified partner.
3. Efficient IT Helpdesk Services for Quick Issue Resolution
Encountering technical glitches like internet disruptions, application malfunctions, or misplaced devices is a common issue.
However, what truly matters is how swiftly your Managed Service Provider (MSP) can address and rectify these issues.
The ability of your MSP to troubleshoot and resolve IT problems promptly relies on several critical factors, including the proficiency of its service agents, established processes, and the implementation of ITSM (IT Service Management) platforms.
The performance of service agents can be evaluated through their training programs. An indicator of their competence could be the possession of HDI Certification, which adheres to the standards set by ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), a framework of best practices.
Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that the MSP’s IT service management (ITSM) tools are versatile and compatible with your existing IT systems.
4. Look for Reliable Compliance Support
Ensure the MSP complies with industry regulations and standards applicable to Google Cloud services, minimizing regulatory risks and ensuring data security and privacy.
A few standards to keep in mind are the following:
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): GDPR is a regulation in the European Union (EU) that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Organizations handling personal data of EU citizens using Google Cloud must comply with GDPR requirements.
PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act): PIPEDA is a federal privacy law in Canada that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by private sector organizations.
It applies to organizations that collect, use, or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities, including those using Google Cloud services.
The assistance in regulatory compliance ensures that your IT systems are in line with the established standards and requirements.
Collaborating with an MSP that comprehensively understands and implements the necessary measures can shield your business from regulatory infractions, allowing you to navigate your industry’s compliance landscape with ease and confidence.
This way, you can concentrate on driving your business forward without being troubled by intricate compliance issues.
5. Scalable Solutions for Your Business
Choose an MSP offering scalable solutions tailored to your business needs, including cloud services, IT security, and network management, to support your growth on Google Cloud.
Industry changes happen in real-time, and you need an MSP who will be able to be your trusted advisor and help with your growth from an IT perspective. Look for a company that provides a comprehensive set of solutions and services, such as cloud, IT security, desktop support, and network and infrastructure management.
IT security is paramount when operating on the cloud. Look for an MSP that offers comprehensive IT security solutions tailored to Google Cloud environments.
This includes services such as identity and access management, encryption, threat detection and response, vulnerability management, compliance monitoring, and IT security consulting. The MSP should have expertise in implementing and managing security measures to protect your data and applications on Google Cloud.
A competent MSP will help you in deciding which services you need and which you do not need so that your business may continue to grow.
At Wingman Solutions, we provide a broad range of solutions and services that can scale your business. Our services are comprehensive enough to meet our client’s demands.
We like to keep things simple. Our focus is to offer the right IT solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, propelling them to scale.
6. Look for Proactive Network Monitoring and Managed IT Support
Select an MSP that provides proactive network monitoring and managed IT support to mitigate cybersecurity threats and ensure the reliability and performance of your Google Cloud infrastructure.
Whether your data is on-premises or in the cloud— ranging from applications like your website to crucial information—it stands as a cornerstone of your business.
Therefore, your Managed Service Provider (MSP) must offer remote monitoring and incident-detection and response services. As previously highlighted, the security of your data is intertwined with various compliance frameworks.
Effective network management is essential for ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of your Google Cloud environment.
The MSP should offer network monitoring, optimization, and troubleshooting services to proactively identify and address issues such as latency, congestion, and connectivity problems.
Additionally, they should have expertise in designing and implementing networking solutions tailored to Google Cloud, including virtual private networks (VPNs), interconnectivity, and content delivery networks (CDNs).
Your Managed IT Services Provider will take a proactive strategy, which means they’ll be on the lookout for better ways to combat cyber threats and other issues that may pop up behind the scenes.
7. Ask if They Offer On-Site Support
A Managed Services Provider can often provide what you need, but on occasion, you may require on-site assistance.
Ask a Managed Services Provider representative to see if they can provide you with on-site help. To ensure that you both know what to expect from your relationship, it’s always a good idea to negotiate on-site presence and support coverage hours for site visits under a Service Level Agreement.
Be Mindful When Choosing an MSP for IT Managed Support Services
Choosing the right Managed Services Provider (MSP) for your business is a critical decision that can significantly impact your operational efficiency and overall success.
Wingman Solutions understands the pivotal aspects crucial to your business’s seamless function, offering comprehensive, tailored, and scalable solutions to meet your evolving needs.
Our commitment at Wingman Solutions is to alleviate the burden of intricate IT challenges, enabling you to focus on driving your business while we secure your digital future.
We prioritize understanding your industry and its unique requirements, ensuring our services align with your compliance needs.
Summing Up: Google Managed Service Providers
In conclusion, selecting the right Google Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a pivotal step for you if your business is looking to optimize its operations, enhance security, and drive innovation in its Google Cloud environments.
With expertise in Google Cloud, operational excellence, and a commitment to tailored cloud solutions only, Wingman Solutions stands ready to be your trusted ally in navigating the complexities of cloud computing.
Don’t let IT challenges hinder your business growth. Contact us today to learn how Wingman Solutions can streamline your operations, ensure compliance, and propel your business forward in the cloud. Let us be your wingman on the journey to success!
