Your managed IT services provider just isn’t cutting it anymore, leaving you frustrated and wondering, “How can I switch Managed IT Service providers so that my business won’t have to suffer any longer?”
Maybe you’ve only been using the popular IT “break-fix” model, relying solely on your IT team when a problem arises. However, you may notice that the best way to have a sustainable business IT infrastructure is to be proactive, and a “break-fix” approach is more of a reactionary solution.
Before we identify some everyday technology problems your business could be facing and how to switch providers successfully, let’s briefly go over what managed IT services are.
Managed IT services is essentially IT help. It's a group of services that a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or third-party company provides to businesses in information technology. These services can include:
- Remote monitoring of your network
- Technical support
- Technology & device training (tools your staff use)
- Network security methods keeping you locked down
- Virus protection (to keep you safe)
- Data backup & disaster recovery (insurance)
- Business continuity (reducing downtimes)
- Technology road mapping & planning (for your future)
- Virtual CIO (subject matter expert)
- Help desk support/data centers (staff support)
- Application & database development (custom projects)
- Network management (efficiency)
- Compliance
- Hosting & cloud services (access to your information from anywhere)
In a nutshell, managed IT services are a way to outsource the day-to-day management of your information technology needs. The specifics of the technology services provided by different managed IT companies can vary.
Managed IT services also provide three traditional business models:
- Flat Rate (all-you-can-eat model)
- Per-User
- Per Device and bundled together as a single monthly fee
As you can see in the three business models above, some service providers offer an “a la carte” choice of services. Others offer a complete, interlocking suite of core services. The decision of how “hands-on” you want your IT team to be is up to you.
Whether you’re new to managed IT services or wondering how you can switch providers so your business IT is in better hands, we’ve got you covered! Follow along as we go over the best and easiest ways to switch providers successfully and how to find the most reliable managed IT partner for your business needs.
Switching Managed IT Services Providers & Finding The Right Partner
When it comes to IT, it’s usually pretty easy to overcomplicate things. The ever-evolving technology world makes it hard to keep up with the times, and just when you feel like you’re ahead of the game, something newer and better hits the market.
One of the best ways to ensure your business is taking the proper steps in managing the needs of your employees and customers is to have a simplified plan that identifies your current problems and what solutions you think are best for business growth and success.
Are your employees spending more time fixing their computers and phone systems and less time closing deals or running marketing campaigns? Maybe there isn’t enough staff in-house to service all the technology needs of your employees, especially if some work remotely. Where can additional IT help come into play for your business and employees?
Learn about the benefits of managed IT services by reading an article published by itNews, Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services.
If you’re experiencing technology downfalls that continually interrupt your workday, the first step is to list all your pain points. The quicker you identify your problems, the easier time you’ll have at finding resolutions.
If you seem to have an influx of technology problems and you’re currently partnering with a managed IT services team, it’s probably time to switch providers. Read our article to learn more: What is Managed IT Services? How to Tell If You Need Them.
So, now that you’ve got a list of your current IT problems, what’s the next step? First things first, it’s necessary to check the terms of your contract if you’re currently partnering with a managed IT team.
Contracts or service level agreements (SLAs) can vary depending on the company and the network services you signed up for initially. Rereading those terms before canceling your services is beneficial because you don’t want to be left with cancellation fees in violation of contractual obligations.
Best Practices Before Switching Providers
Before you make the switch to a new managed IT services provider, there are a few critical steps to take to ensure the transition is smooth. The last thing you want is poor communication between you and your current IT team.
Try to obtain previous quarterly update records from your current IT team. If they cannot give you a collected history of these updates, request you at least have a report of the last 90 days.
It’s critical that you know everything they’ve been managing for your business, such as ticketed IT requests, upgrade information on hardware or software, and managed security and performance measures.
You have the right to know what IT efforts your current provider has taken care of, and you should give the list to your new provider so they’re familiar with your infrastructure.
You also want to ensure that before you switch, you take inventory of what products are yours and what are from the managed services provider. Some equipment your business is using might need to be returned to the IT company.
Another great idea for a smooth transition is identifying where your data is being stored and who owns it. When someone is managing your IT infrastructure, it can become easy to forget where all of your information is located.
Many managed IT services providers who manage your infrastructure have complete control over your usernames, passwords, and all of your business and employee account credentials.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you canceled your Facebook account? What would happen to all those linked accounts connected to your Facebook account? Your business might have one large domain account with ten other accounts.
Find a managed IT services company that uses software, such as IT Glue, to group all of your domain and subdomain account credentials in one place. This tool enables you to access all your account information in one place, and you can take it with you once you switch providers.
Managed IT Services: Understanding Your Needs
One of the most essential aspects of successfully switching managed IT services companies is choosing a provider with the knowledge and tools to tackle your problems head-on without hesitation.
Finding a managed IT services team can be challenging, and narrowing down the best provider for your individualized needs might seem difficult. To learn more about choosing the right provider, read our article, How to Find The Best Managed IT Services Company Near Me.
Another great way to successfully switch managed IT services providers is to meet with multiple companies to learn how they implement the technology strategies your business truly needs.
What do their pricing models look like, and how are they better than your current model? What knowledge and experience can they provide that your current company can’t? What kind of IT help is available for your business? You must ask these questions when meeting with a new potential IT team.
Remember, any outsourcing services your business is paying for is a partnership. They should value you and the goals of your business just as much as you value the work they do for you.
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