Your Pain-Free Guide To Switching IT Companies

Thinking Of Switching IT Companies?

The modern-day executive has to be very keen when seeking outsourced IT support. But, what happens when the support team you contracted turns out to be incompetent? You instinctively begin to imagine terminating the agreement, until it dawns on you that it may not be that easy after all.

The truth of the matter is that transitioning from one IT service provider to the other is difficult and risky. In fact, some migration processes have ended up being chaotic and catastrophic. But, it’s not always that way — especially when you are guided by an established IT support firm.

What Should You Consider Before Switching IT Companies?

Migrating to a different IT supplier is arguably one of the most significant moves any company can make in a lifetime. IT practically supports every part of your business.

So before you rush into making that decision, you must first consider the following two aspects:

1. What are the risks that come with the process, and how do you plan to manage them?
2. Do you have substantial no-regret reasons, or are you just acting out of impulse?

What Risks Should You Address Before Switching IT Companies?

• The Threat of a Rogue Partner: Although very rare, not once or twice have companies been held at ransom by former service providers. They may completely lock you out of your networks, or withhold a few essential files. Do not overlook this threat; no IT supplier is thrilled when you migrate to their competitors.
• Loss of Data: It is also possible that you may accidentally delete some documents as you are transitioning. It could even be worse if you use the wrong configurations that convert your files into unreadable formats.
• Protracted Downtime: If you are currently experiencing a snarl-up, the last thing you want is extended downtime as you are transitioning. Most executives decide to stay with the ‘devil that they know’ mainly because of this uncertainty.
• Ending Up With The Wrong Company Again: Some unlucky fellows have had to experience the same cycle of poor IT support in a row. We wouldn’t call them unfortunate per se; it’s a failure on their part to exercise due diligence when seeking replacements. Or maybe, they didn’t know which criterion to use.

We will later look at how best to evade these risks and what to look for as you are seeking a replacement.

What Are Your Reasons For Switching IT Companies?

Do not work with an IT support firm that you don’t trust. When it comes to outsourcing IT support, there is no room for mistrust — not a bit. At the very least, the service provider has unabated access to your networks. It’s not worth it always anticipating that they will interfere with your files, or leak classified information to your competitions.

All the other reasons come secondary to mistrust. In fact, if you still trust the supplier, then you could consider discussing your concerns with them.

Other equally important red flags include:

• Constant Cost Increments: The service provider promised to help you minimize cost, the price you agreed on was fair enough. But along the way, they start to nickel and dime you. From doing tasks that you didn’t sanction and demanding remuneration, to bashing hikes in service bills, things just get worse. If you continue giving in to their demands, the company will end up doing business to finance IT support.
• Breach of Contract: Service providers are forming the habit of promising to deliver what they can’t, in the hope of contracting a third party. Then things go wrong with the third party, and they try to provide the services on their own. This results in constant downtime and dissatisfied end-users. Before you decide on any IT supplier, ensure you are convinced they can offer whatever it is that you are seeking.
• A Service Provider That Works in Isolation: Several IT support best practice journals advise suppliers to formulate universal solutions for their partners. There is no such thing as a one-shoe-fits-all or standard practice when it comes to IT solutions. If your support firm is devising solutions on their own without considering your input, you are with the wrong team. Just as IT needs vary from one organization to the other, so do the solutions. Seek a service provider that designs remedies particular to your business framework and aspirations.

Regardless of your reason, once you settle on switching IT service providers, the concern immediately shifts from ‘why’ to ‘how’. How do you plan the transition process to ensure that it is smooth and successful?

You already know the risks that you face. How do you evade them?

How Do You Safely Switch IT Companies?

Each of these steps addresses the potential risks that we identified above:

1. Find the right IT service provider to replace your current supplier. This is the most crucial step. The support company must demonstrate the ability to help you safely transition, i.e., they should have experience in the same. Discuss with them your issues with the previous supplier, and how they plan to address these concerns.
2. Do not end your current agreement until the new team is in place.
3. Seek full admin access to everything in your systems. This will help with rogue service providers. You can monitor all your networks for suspicious activities.
4. Instruct the new team to evaluate your networks just to be sure they are safe.
5. Backup your data. For the essential files, it is advisable to have offline copies.
6. Your employees must be informed of the transition, the new IT supplier, and its policies.

It is only when you have fulfilled these precautions that you can cancel your contract. In some cases, you will be required to make notifications a few weeks before starting the migration.

For more information, click here to get in touch with us or call us at (469) 634-7653 to schedule a consultation.