Find your perfect pairing when choosing an IT vendor.
Key Takeaways:
- Some winemaking challenges can’t be predicted.
- But you can streamline operations, protect your data, and harness the power of the latest and greatest technology.
- An IT managed service provider (MSP) can create efficiencies now and prepare you for the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Hiring a team with all the expertise you need costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. With an IT managed service provider, you get the best for a fraction of the cost.
California winery operations are threatened by internal and external risks that present confounding challenges, from wildfires to floods, equipment breakdowns, and inflationary pressures. There’s not much you can do about Mother Nature, but there is something you can do to simplify, protect, and upgrade internal operations.
While your customers only see a full-bodied bottle of red or delicate white, what’s going on behind the scenes, if not managed properly, can lead to unexpected expenses, a breakdown of operations, or a preventable data breach that could prove disastrous. Smoothly managing a business that combines farming, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality in one place today takes the use and management of the right technology.
But your business is wine, not tech. For most wineries, your staff roster, while including specialized professionals, likely doesn’t include a robust IT team with knowledge of automation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies that can mean the difference between resounding success and stagnant growth.
The answer lies in finding the right IT managed services provider: one that can optimize the technology you have, bring day-to-day operational efficiencies, offer the best in cybersecurity, and augment your operations with just the right new technology. Finding the right fit can be difficult, so here are some tips on selecting an IT vendor.
The state of technology for wineries
Wineries already use point-of-sale and inventory systems, accounting tools, and logistics software. Current systems are often cobbled together, aren’t entirely compatible, and cause frustration and downtime, all of which means operational inefficiency. A managed service provider can make things hum along like a well-oiled wine press.
Your systems also remain vulnerable to cyberattacks – Italian winery Cantina Tollo was attacked by ransomware on January 30, 2023. The hackers are demanding $249,999 to destroy the data they stole. The impact on their business is yet to be seen, but businesses that are victims of cybercrime suffer impacts beyond ransom demands. There are costs related to operational disruption, changes to business practices, and reputational damage. Losing control of customer data can cost companies millions.
And to stay competitive and continue producing excellent wines, wineries have to keep up with the emerging technology expected to revolutionize the wine industry, including using artificial intelligence (AI) for virtual sommeliers and vineyard monitoring with predictive modeling to identify potential problems, and even as a tool for sustainability.
This technology must be managed, and an IT managed service provider is your best and most cost-effective solution. Let’s determine what you should look for when choosing an IT vendor.
Why partner with an IT managed service provider
Choosing an IT managed service provider (MSP) is about more than keeping systems up and running. With the right partner, you get:
- IT strategy and long-term planning with proactive advice and guidance
- Project services and field engineering with routine upgrades and necessary network changes
- Preventative maintenance with automation and self-healing technology and root cause analysis
- Reactive remote and on-site support
IT personnel with the right skill set are difficult, if not impossible, to find. And we’ve already established that you’re not an IT expert. You also would have to hire experts in AI, cybersecurity, and other disciplines. Expensive? You bet. The average salary of a cybersecurity specialist alone is over $100,000 annually, plus benefits.
With an MSP, you get the expertise you need and day-to-day operational assistance at a fraction of the cost. MSPs have a continuous training model, so you know that their staff is always up to speed about the latest and greatest.
How to select an IT vendor
We’ve already established that the IT field, like your business, can be quite complex. You need a company that listens to and understands the issues unique to the wine industry. And just like your wine isn’t like anyone else’s, all IT managed service providers are not created equal. Entrusting the current technology and the tech that will propel your business into a prosperous future can be daunting.
Here are points to consider to find the perfect MSP pairing:
1. Ask for references. An MSP must have a stellar reputation to be able to protect yours. Check their website: How long have they been in business? Who are their past and current clients? Then ask their references the following questions:
- Why did you select this vendor over others?
- What services did they use?
- Did they meet deadlines?
- Are they a partner in your success?
Also, ask references to share any advice about working with the vendor.
2. Where are they located? MSPs do much of their work remotely, but a local provider is essential when you need fast, critical on-site support 24/7. A local provider will also know more about local and state compliance issues that must be interwoven into your technology.
3. Identify your needs. This can be tough to do on your own, so make a list of what you know you need and think you need. Then meet with the MSP and tell them about your business challenges. You want an MSP that really listens, and listens carefully, to provide you with what you really need vs. what are unnecessary bells and whistles that won’t contribute to your success.
As part of your needs list, you’ll want to include data protection and recovery, cybersecurity measures, monitoring, and if they offer on-site services. A proactive approach is a necessary characteristic of an MSP.
4. Do they have the necessary expertise? Again, this can be tough to gauge, but you’ll want to consider the future once you identify your current needs. Do they have experience in your industry? Do they have industry accreditations? Does the company emphasize continuous training?
5. Do they offer 24/7 service? This is essential. Your tech operates 24/7, so you want an MSP that’s monitoring your systems 24/7 to quickly address any issues.
6. Look at the MSP’s core values. Hiring the right partner means looking at who they are as much as it is what they are. Some characteristics to look for are:
- Respect for you, your people, and your business
- A mindset of continuous learning and improvement
- A team that sees challenges as opportunities
- A commitment to your long-term success
When you know how to select an IT vendor, you can choose a partner that keeps everything moving smoothly and productively in the background while you concentrate on fulfilling your ultimate vision for your winery.
At Endsight, we’re your complete technology support solution to create optimal IT management and human-friendly technical support for small and medium-sized businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa, and San Diego.
With our knowledge, experience, and commitment to our clients, Endsight is the clear solution for your winery’s IT management. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
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