In addition to offering top of line IT, you'll want the managed services to understand your mission and management perspective and a sense of business.   It's important to choose a Service Provider who will provide for all your needs:

• network support security
• disaster recovery
• email support
• computer repair

Who are the clients and what are the packages offered?
If the IT managed services only offers a one-size fits all plan, it likely won't fit. Working with a range of clients, from small to mid-sized corporations to large corporations makes for strong managed services. This will provide the varied experience to address all of your needs. Offering a variety of plans comes along with having varied clientele.  A provider should have a range of IT plans, so you can find the best fit for your business.

Does the provider only support certain products? 
Being product neutral is another factor that you may want your managed services to have.  If the service provider is product neutral, then they'll be able to work with all systems and architectures.  This approach leads to provide an independent view toward networking and IT technologies.

What are the backgrounds of the personnel?
Having varied personnel is another quality of a strong managed service provider.  Engineers with certifications, business degrees, MBAs and specific training in business continuity, disaster recovery and business process reengineering make for a strong support network.

What is the provider's methodology?
In order to meet the unique needs of each client, it’s best if the provider has a people-process-technology approach.  Managed services shouldn't be about just software and hardware, but the provider needs to examine all facets of existing infrastructure and requirements, business processes, user needs, organizational structures and culture.

What's an effective process to managed services?
The following is an effective process for the managed service provider to take.

• Study and evaluate the information technology requirements.  Examine existing IT, its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.  Determine if what's available will meet the organization's mission or what needs to be acquired to achieve the business's goals. 
• Design information technology systems.  The right system entails everything from appropriate telecommunications to desktop environment and internal network infrastructure.  As systems are designed questions of security, robustness, reliability, and the ability to routinely manage, support and administer systems in the long-term should be at the forefront.
• Implement the information technology systems and solutions.  The carefully designed plans are executed.
• Provide long-term support for information technology systems.  Regardless of the business's IT needs, the managed service provider should be there for the long haul and available during peak periods and when emergencies arise.

As you determine your IT needs, don't settle for a one-size-fits-all approach.  The correct perspective is a management one, not a technology one.  Find a managed service provider who will look at the organization, its people, culture, and your budgetary resources.