Cutting ties with your existing IT provider can be a major hassle. However, if the relationship has run its course, and it’s no longer delivering true value to your organization, then it’s time to look elsewhere before your business starts suffering. Now that companies are so heavily dependent on IT, sticking with an inadequate provider will lead to missed opportunities, stunted productivity, and a raft of other problems. That’s why it’s best to opt out at the first sign of problems like the following:
#1. Slow response times
Managed services providers (MSPs) are bound by their SLAs to offer a certain minimum level of service, and they should clearly stipulate the maximum response times. If your IT provider is hovering around the mark, chances are they’re over-promising and under-delivering. Extended periods of downtime have a direct impact on your bottom line, so if your provider isn’t able to prioritize your support requests and expedite urgent matters per your expectations, it’s time to look elsewhere.
#2. Lack of strategic guidance
Great communication isn’t just about quick response times, it’s also about delivering value through industry-leading expertise. A dependable IT provider should offer strategic guidance to help align technology with the unique needs of your business and industry. If their advice sounds more like a sales pitch, they may not have your best interests at heart. IT providers are supposed to be more than just vendors — they’re companies that should have a vested interest in your success. Look for those who can explain the benefits of their solutions, rather than just talk about the latest shiny new gadgets.
#3. Compromises on cybersecurity
One of the most common reasons for small businesses to outsource their IT is because they don’t have the budget or the in-house expertise to develop a sufficiently robust data security plan. However, when you’re putting your data in the hands of a third party, you need to be absolutely sure that they’re trustworthy.
If your MSP doesn’t have an impeccable track record when it comes to security, privacy, and compliance, then it’s time to get out as soon as possible. This is doubly true if your IT provider hasn’t been entirely transparent and informed you of a potential breach as soon as it gets discovered.
#4. Unjustifiable costs
Smart business leaders understand that getting the lowest price rarely means the same thing as getting a great deal. What matters is the value that your IT provider brings to your organization. No matter how much it costs, you should be meeting your technology goals and, preferably surpassing them. Whether they’re increasing employee productivity, improving data security, empowering collaboration, or something else entirely, it’s always good to evaluate your relationship on occasion. Although high costs alone shouldn’t be a reason to change your supplier, it might be time to reconsider once you start feeling that you’re getting much lower returns on your investment than you expect.
#5. Changes in your business
Another reason why businesses outsource their IT is to increase scalability and have their technology infrastructure grow with demand. Sometimes, however, businesses can even outgrow their IT providers. Others undergo major changes to align with new mission priorities.
Either way, a major change in your business will likely warrant a change of IT providers. If they can no longer offer you the services and value your organization requires, then chances are you’ve outgrown them. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault either. Dependable IT providers know this, and the best ones should even help you migrate your data to another provider or back in-house.
Founders Technology Group provides the IT solutions and expertise you need to reduce risk and increase efficiency. Call us today to discuss your technology needs.