Skip to main content
SolarWinds MSP
  • Login
  • Support
  • Partnerships
    • Partnerships Overview
    • Solution Provider Program
    • Technology Alliance Program
    • Distributor Program
SolarWinds MSP
  • Products
    • SolarWinds N-central Automate what you need. Tackle complex networks. Try this remote monitoring and management solution built to help maximize efficiency and scale.
    • SolarWinds RMM Start fast. Grow at your own pace. Try this powerful but simple remote monitoring and management solution.
    • SolarWinds EDR Defend against ransomware, zero-day attacks, and evolving online threats with Endpoint Detection and Response
    • SolarWinds Backup Manage data protection for servers, workstations applications, documents and Microsoft 365 from one SaaS dashboard.
    • Mail Protection & Archiving Protect users from email threats and downtime.
    • Password Management Easily adopt and demonstrate best practice password and documentation management workflows.
      • Passportal Demo
    • PSA & Ticketing Manage ticketing, reporting, and billing to increase helpdesk efficiency.
    • Remote Support Help support customers and their devices with remote support tools designed to be fast and powerful.
  • Solutions

    I'm looking for...

    • Security Solutions
    • Monitoring Solutions
    • Efficiency Solutions
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webcasts & Events
    • Ask the N-central Experts
    • Daily Live Demos
    • RMM Foundations Training
    • Upcoming Events
    • Upcoming Webcasts
    • Resource Center
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Resource Library
      • Case Studies
      • Product Information
      • eBooks
      • White Papers
      • Infographics
    • SolarWinds MSP Free Tools
    • GDPR Resource Center
    • Security Resource Center
    • MSP Institute Webinar Series
    • MSP Advice Project
  • About
    • Contact
    • Customer Success
    • Worldwide sales and support
    • Careers
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Get A Quote
    • Newsroom
      • Press Releases
      • In The News
      • Media Contacts
      • COVID-19 Response
    • Leadership Team
    • Legal
      • Cookie Policy
      • Privacy Notice
      • Software Services Agreement
      • Terms of Use
      • Backup Fair Use Policy
    • Security
      • SolarWinds Security Statement
      • Vendor Data Protection Requirements
    • Support
  • IT Departments
  • Contact Sales
    • Get A Quote
    • General Inquiry
  • TRY NOW
    • SolarWinds RMM
    • SolarWinds Backup
    • MSP Manager
    • SolarWinds Passportal
    • SolarWinds N-central
    • SolarWinds Mail Assure
    • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
    • SolarWinds Take Control
  • Request a Quote
  • Try Now
    • SolarWinds RMM
    • SolarWinds N-central
    • SolarWinds Backup
    • MSP Manager
    • SolarWinds Mail Assure
    • SolarWinds Passportal
    • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
    • SolarWinds Take Control
Request quote
Filter Blogs
  • Filter by:
  • MSP Business
    • Automation
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • Security-series
    • Best Practices
    • Business
    • Business Growth
    • Business Risk
    • Cloud Computing
    • Customer Service
    • Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity Awareness Month
    • Data
    • GDPR
    • Internet of Things
    • IT Support
    • ITSM
    • LOGICcards
    • Machine Learning
    • Mail
    • Managed Services
    • Marketing
    • Mobile
    • Networking
    • Operations
    • Podcast
    • Product
    • PSA
    • Remote Management
    • Research & Trends
    • Risk Intelligence
    • Security
    • Security Vlog
    • Service Desk
    • Services & Support
    • The Head Nerds
    • Tips & Advice
    • Training
Home Blog MSP Business Remote Management How Do You Know When You’ve Met “the One?”
Remote Management

How Do You Know When You’ve Met “the One?”

By Shelley O'Brien
13 February, 2020

It’s February, and love is in the air. Or maybe not? We all know managed services providers (MSPs) like to periodically shop around to see if the “one” partner is out there, to provide their remote monitoring solution. What are the key things to look for to help you decide if the grass is truly greener? Or if you really have found “the one?”

Reddit’s comparison chart lists key RMM features and providers. Here are some additional relationship goals to consider. If you have these, you know you’ve found the right partner.

CTA Image

SolarWinds N-central

Try the powerful N-central solution for free.

Try It Free Learn More

  1. They make you feel secure. Cybercriminals are targeting MSPs. A multi-layered security stack will help protect your customers. At a minimum your software provider should provide antivirus, disk encryption, backup, patch management, two factor-authentication, web filtering, and encryption protocols like FIPS and PCI. If they provide advanced security features like endpoint detection and response, mail protection, and password management, you’ll know they are totally into you.
  2. You share common interests. Sometimes relationships fall apart because you are not at the same stage in your life. If you’re purchasing your first RMM, you’ll want something easy to use with built-in automation options. If you’re working to scale your business, a provider with more customization options, network management, onboarding assistance, and experience with larger MSPs may be the one for you.
  3. They’re easy to talk to. While every relationship has its ups and downs, the successful ones realize the importance of communication. When issues arise, you want to address them quickly so they don’t fester. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 live support. For less pressing questions, office hours or daily demos can also provide an opportunity for intimate—or at least valuable—conversations.
  4. They listen to your needs. Attentive listening can go a long way toward building a stronger connection. Are you able to talk with your software provider on a regular basis to provide feedback on features you like or the ones you feel are lacking? For example, SolarWinds THWACK connects 150,000 IT professionals and community members to share and vote on future product features.
  5. You enjoy spending time with each other. Quality time is one of the five love languages identified by Dr. Gary Chapman. Whether attending user groups, trainings and conferences, or reading blogs like this one, your software provider can sit down and talk with you about anything, from sales and marketing to customer retention—and everything in between. 
  6. Your friends like them too. If you’re happy, it shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks – but if you aren’t happy, it may be time to move on. If it is time, your peers can help. While you’ll find plenty of complaints on crowdsourcing sites, make sure you look at awards, reviews, customer case studies, and testimonials to help you figure out your perfect match. 

Whether you’ve lost that spark with your current vendor or you’re on the hunt for your first long-term RMM relationship, follow these tips to find that perfect match. Remember, no relationship is perfect. What matters is you find the perfect RMM solution for you. Don’t settle—once you find “the one,” you’ll start to see improvements in nearly all areas of your business. Just follow these tips to make February the month you fall in love with the RMM solution of your dreams. 

 

Shelley O’Brien is senior product marketing manager for N-central at SolarWinds MSP

 

Additional reading

Why an Integrated RMM and PSA Solution Is Key to MSP Business Success
RMM Essentials—What is it and why do you need one?
Empower MSP Amsterdam—Patch and AV Best Practices for N-central
You might also like...
PSA

RMM and PSA Tools: How to Make the Most of Both

IT Support

Seven Features Remote Assistance Software Should Have

Remote Management

TAP Blog Series: Multi-SaaS Management

IT Support

Five Ways to Ensure Your Remote Support Sessions Are Successful

Remote Management

Remote Monitoring and EDR: Better Together

IT Support

12 Rules That Will Help You Effectively Manage a Remote Support Team

Want to stay up to date?

Get the latest MSP tips, tricks, and ideas sent to your inbox each week.

Loading form....

If the form does not load in a few seconds, it is probably because your browser is using Tracking Protection. This is either an Ad Blocker plug-in or your browser is in private mode. Please allow tracking on this page to request a subscription.

Note: Firefox users may see a shield icon to the left of the URL in the address bar. Click on this to disable tracking protection for this session/site

Recent Posts
  • What the Head Nerds Were Up to in 2020
  • RMM and PSA Tools: How to Make the Most of Both
  • How to Empower an IT Help Desk Team for Success
  • Six Tips That Will Make Managing Your MSP Company Easier
  • January 2021 Patch Tuesday: One Actively Exploited Vulnerability and a Few Likely to Be
Categories:
  • Security (230)
  • Tips & Advice (122)
  • Best Practices (94)
  • Managed Services (86)
  • Backup & Disaster Recovery (83)
  • The Head Nerds (75)
  • Business Growth (75)
  • IT Support (42)
  • Business (39)
  • Automation (37)
  • Cybersecurity (37)
  • Operations (34)
  • Mail (33)
  • Remote Management (28)
  • ITSM (25)
  • Cloud Computing (21)
  • Networking (21)
  • Data (21)
  • Marketing (14)
  • Product (11)
  • PSA (11)
  • Service Desk (5)
  • Services & Support (5)
  • Mobile (4)
  • Risk Intelligence (4)
  • Internet of Things (3)
  • Customer Service (3)
  • Research & Trends (2)
  • Training (2)
  • GDPR (2)
  • Business Risk (1)
  • LOGICcards (1)
Show moreless
SolarWinds MSP

Products
  • SolarWinds RMM
  • SolarWinds N-central
  • SolarWinds Backup
  • SolarWinds EDR
  • SolarWinds MSP Manager
  • SolarWinds Mail Assure
  • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
  • SolarWinds Take Control
  • SolarWinds Passportal
  • All Products Use Cases
Solutions
  • Security Solutions
  • Monitoring Solutions
  • Efficiency Solutions
  • Identify which RMM solution is right for me
  • Drive Efficiency with Automation
  • Manage my MSP Business More Efficiently
  • Manage my IT Department More Efficiently
  • Layered Security
  • Cross-Platform Support
  • Data-Driven Insights
About
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Leadership Team
  • Upcoming Events
  • Subscription Preferences
  • SolarWinds
  • SolarWinds Trust Center
  • COVID-19 Response
Support
  • SolarWinds RMM
  • Solarwinds N-central
  • SolarWinds Backup
  • SolarWinds Mail Assure
  • SolarWinds Take Control
  • SolarWinds MSP Manager
  • Solarwinds Risk Intelligence
  • Solarwinds Threat Monitor
  • SolarWinds Passportal
  • SolarWinds Take Control Downloads
  • Backup & Recovery Downloads
  • Service Status

Footer 2

  • Legal Documents
  • Privacy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Security Information
  • Sitemap

© SolarWinds MSP Canada ULC and SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd.
All Rights Reserved.