--- title: "How to choose a managed IT partner | DataRoad IT" description: "A checklist for choosing a managed IT partner: signed SLA, cybersecurity, tested backups, clear pricing and a clean exit. No-obligation proposal." language: en url: https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/how-to-choose-managed-it-partner-checklist/ source: https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/how-to-choose-managed-it-partner-checklist/ publisher: DataRoad IT (DataRoad - IT Services and Consulting), Portugal --- > A checklist for choosing a managed IT partner: signed SLA, cybersecurity, tested backups, clear pricing and a clean exit. No-obligation proposal. # How to choose a managed IT partner: 8 guarantees to demand At a glance For decision-makers short on time. - 01 Demand a written SLA, security included and backups with tested restores. - 02 Confirm on-site presence, explicit scope and clear exit rules. - 03 Be wary of cheap proposals without security or backups. - 04 At DataRoad: annual contract, no lock-in. ### In this article A bad IT provider does not show at signing. It shows at the first ransomware attack, the backup that will not restore, the emergency left unanswered until Monday. Choosing a **managed IT partner** carefully prevents that day. Before you sign, confirm eight guarantees: a written SLA, cybersecurity included, tested backups, an on-site engineer, pricing with no grey areas, a clear exit, documented infrastructure and comparable references. ## Which eight guarantees should you demand from your IT partner? - **Signed deadlines**: response and resolution times in the SLA. - **Security within the price**: EDR/antivirus, firewall and best practice. - **Proven restores**: tested backups and a recovery plan. - **Physical presence**: someone comes to the business when needed. - **Explicit scope**: you know what you pay for and what is excluded. - **An exit door**: no lock-in or, at the very least, written exit rules. - **Inventory**: your infrastructure documented and handed over. - **Comparable cases**: clients in your sector or of your size. ## Which signs should make you walk away from a proposal? - **A price that is too good** Usually because security and backups have been left out. - **Verbal promises only** No deadline or scope on paper. - **Long ties** Lengthy lock-ins without a reason. The initial saving is repaid with interest at the first incident. ## What should you ask in the first meeting? - How quickly is a critical emergency handled? - Who is responsible for our account, by name? - If we leave, what happens to our data and credentials? - How and how often do you report on your work? ## Questions from decision-makers ### Should I choose on price? No. Choose on value: SLA, security, backups and reliability. A cheap proposal without the essentials ends up costing more at the first serious problem. ### Does proximity matter? It does. A partner with on-site support arrives quickly when someone needs to get hands on the equipment, within the agreed deadline. ### Should I refuse any lock-in? Not necessarily, but demand clear exit rules. At DataRoad the contract is annual, renews automatically and has no lock-in. ## Next step: a partner that ticks every box DataRoad - IT Services and Consulting meets all eight points in every contract: 11 years, 232 clients, Top 5% PME (scoring.pt). See [managed IT with an on-site engineer for SMEs](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/managed-it-on-site-engineer-lisbon-smes/) and, for the full evaluation grid, [how to choose the best MSP in Portugal](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/best-msp-portugal-8-criteria/). Request a no-commitment proposal. **More than 10 workstations · support contract · remote, on-site and phone support.** Call +351 211 459 950 * or write to sales@dataroad.pt. **Call to a Portuguese landline.* Chosen by respected and international companies ★★★★★ 5,0 · 52 Google reviews ★★★★★ 5,0 · 52 Google reviews DataRoad ## Related articles [Managed IT and cybersecurityTeams on the move: securing laptops, phones and public Wi-FiThe real travel risk is an unencrypted lost laptop, not hotel Wi-Fi. With disk encryption, central management, MFA and a controlled connecti…12 October 2026 · 7 min read](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/managed-cybersecurity-travelling-teams/)[Managed IT and cybersecurityExternal attack surface: what the internet sees of your companyAutomated attacks hunt for vulnerable versions, and company size is irrelevant. 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For video, CAD or weak inter…12 October 2026 · 6 min read](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/windows-365-business-cloud-pc-costs/) Numbers you can verify **11** years in business **232** clients **< 10 min** average response time **15+** IT vendor certifications **10+** Countries with clients supported **5.0 ★** 52 Google reviews Transparency ## What many providers hide, we publish. [See plans and prices →](https://www.dataroad-it.com/it-unlimited/) - **Prices upfront** Essential from €395/month + VAT, Premium from €750 and Premium 365 from €1,200. - **No lock-in** Annual contract, no lock-in and no joining fees. - **Everything in writing** What is included, the scope and the price, before you sign. - **Support without counted hours** Remote and phone in every plan; on-site support from Premium. Partners and certifications DataRoad · Managed IT for business ## One StepAhead of IT. One partner accountable for all of your company’s IT, with response times written into the contract and a monthly fee that does not move. - **11** years in business, since 2015 - **232** clients under management - **15+** IT vendor certifications We do **IT** right. DataRoad IT Unlimited ## Operational continuity is not luck. It is method and contract. IT Unlimited reduces risk and shows in writing what changed. [Request a proposal, no commitment →](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/#contact)+351 211 459 950 **Call to a Portuguese landline · More than 10 workstations · support contract · remote, on-site and phone support[Not sure what you need? Talk to the assistant →](https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/#assistente) --- Versão HTML desta página: https://www.dataroad-it.com/en/how-to-choose-managed-it-partner-checklist/