Choosing to work with an I.T. support company is a big investment. No matter how well your discovery process went, there is still a minor chance that the relationship won’t work out. Fortunately, you aren’t stuck if you decide to switch I.T. companies.
| “Switching providers doesn’t have to be a daunting process. Proactive planning and a reliable new partner will make the situation much easier.” – Charles Bender, CEO, Attentus Technologies |
In fact, switching I.T. support providers is fairly common. 53.8% of businesses work with multiple vendors over time to help them adequately meet their I.T. needs. This behavior typically occurs because their original vendor couldn’t keep up with their ever-evolving business demands.
If you’re dissatisfied with your current provider, this article will help you ensure a smooth transition process. We’ll also show you a few signs it’s time to switch providers that you may not have considered before.
When is it Time to Switch I.T. Support Providers?
The most common reason why companies switch providers is usually cost. However, if you’re getting a good ROI for the price, cost isn’t necessarily the deciding factor. Instead, consider these reasons as signs it’s time to switch.
Slow Response Times
If the cost of I.T. downtime is $5,600 per minute, why would you want to add more minutes waiting for support? The longer you’re left waiting, the more time and money you lose. If your I.T support provider is the reason downtime lasts longer, it’s time to switch.
Inadequate Security Measures
Good cybersecurity is more than simply installing antivirus software. An I.T. company must provide business-grade security solutions. For example, data backups and disaster recovery services are essential as 94% of businesses never recover lost data after a major event.
Poor Communication
Inadequate communication and lack of effective follow-through from the provider are signs you need someone new. If you don’t understand what they’re offering or why they’re doing it, how can you be sure it’s to your benefit?
Capability Limitations
As your business grows, your I.T. needs will become more complex. If your current provider cannot keep pace with your growth or specific industry needs, it’s time to switch. A provider that can’t scale or adapt to new challenges will hinder your progress.
Only 24% of Leaders Feel Their I.T Support Can Keep Up With ChangesThat’s why you need a scalable and adaptable provider. |
How to Switch Service Providers
1. Research & Choose Your New Provider
Before you cancel your current provider, do your research and choose your new partner. Read case studies, ask for client references, and compare their service offerings and pricing structures.
You also need to verify that the new I.T. provider’s solutions are compatible with your existing systems and processes. This may involve discussions about hardware, software, and integration capabilities. There’s no point in switching providers to someone who will push you to switch again.
2. Notify Your Current I.T. Provider
Once you’ve set everything up with your new provider, notify your current one. Make sure you’re courteous, thank them for their service, and provide feedback on why you’re switching. Chances are that your feedback will help them make their service and support better for others.
3. Plan The Transition
Work with your new provider to plan the transition process. This should include a timeline, key milestones, and a contingency plan to mitigate potential disruptions. Have an idea of what you want this plan to look like before you bring it to your new provider.
4. Implement The Switch
Execute the transition according to the plan. Ensure continuous communication with both your new and old providers to address any issues that arise during the switch.
5. Review Services Post-Switch
After the transition, evaluate the new service provider’s performance. Check if they meet the agreed-upon service levels and if there are areas needing improvement. Regular reviews help maintain a productive relationship with your provider.
Bear in mind that this guide is general. You may have to go through additional steps if your current provider’s offboarding, or new provider’s onboarding, process requires them.
5 Tips for Ensuring a Smooth Process While Switching I.T. Companies
While there’s only so much you can do about your current provider’s offboarding process, there is a lot you can do to ease the transition from your end. Here are some tips to help you make the transition run smoothly, no matter how difficult your current provider may try to make it.
1. Don’t Notify Your Current Partner Until You’re Ready
It can be tempting to send in your cancellation notice as soon as you’re dissatisfied, but this isn’t a good practice. For one, you don’t want to be left without an I.T. provider if you haven’t yet found a replacement for your current one. Even if you have, you want to be sure that your new provider will truly be better before you cancel your old one.
2. Keep Everyone on Your Team in The Know
There’s a good chance that you aren’t the only person at your company who’s been in touch with your provider. So, it’s important to clearly communicate your transition plan with your other team members to make things easier for them. However, be careful not to notify them too early to prevent someone from passing on the information to the vendor preemptively.
| You Know How to Switch. Learn About What to Look For! |
3. Always Maintain Some Control of Your I.T.
One of the top reasons why people stay in business relationships they don’t want to be in is overreliance. While you should hand over I.T. control to your I.T. provider (that’s why you hired them), you need to be careful not to hand over too much control. Otherwise, you risk losing access to parts of your network or being unable to function without them.
4. Keep Your Own Data Backups
When you make the switch, you’ll probably need to perform a data migration for your new provider. Make sure you have all data, including any backups, from your current provider ready-to-go. You may also want to keep additional data backups for anything that’s particularly sensitive.
5. Proactively Set Your Timelines
Like any major project, your transition plan should have a set timeline including milestones and mitigation strategies for any potential roadblocks. Consider the onboarding and onboarding processes and work those into your plan. Use a typical frame of reference from other providers if you aren’t sure what the particulars of your current and new providers are.
For Managed I.T. Services in The Pacific Northwest, Check Out These Options! |
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| Seattle | Bellevue | Kent | Everett |
Ready to Make a Change?
If you’ve decided that you want to move away from your current provider, your first step is to find a new one. Doing your research takes time, but it’s necessary if you want to find a partner who will support your long-term success.
Attentus Technologies would gladly be that partner. We’re an enthusiastic group of quick learners who can easily adapt to almost anything. We also provide fast I.T. support services and perform deep-root cause analyses to prevent the same issues from coming back.
Contact us today to start your transition process.
