Switching IT Providers
If you are exploring different IT support options, we can help make the switch painless.
If your business’ technology needs aren’t being met, it’s time to switch IT providers and increase your support. We know changing providers can seem intimidating and complex. But you don’t have to put it off any longer. We’re here to help make it simple – and we are sure the outcome is worth it.
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Is it time to find a new provider? Here are a few common signs.
Poor Communication & Follow Up
Communication is paramount for any vendor. Even more so for Managed IT providers who hold your entire business’ infrastructure in their hands.
If you have to ask multiple times for something before your request gets completed, can’t get a call or email back within a reasonable time frame, are rarely sure about the status of a project or support ticket, are the one telling them about major problems, and get different answers to the same question depending on who you speak with, these are all solid signs to start looking elsewhere.
Your IT provider should make sure you don’t have to put in any more effort than is required.
You should get an answer without having to ask twice. Put in a support ticket, and you should get a quick response and resolution updates. You should feel confident that you’ll be kept up to date on work statuses. You definitely shouldn’t be the one alerting your provider to a major issue – with proper proactive services they should know long before you do.
You've Outgrown the Provider
Sometimes you just outgrow a business relationship, even when the service has been great.
This often happens when your company was still small, and you found a similarly small IT provider to help support you. This worked out great for a while. But then your company grew and now you have 20 employees and a much more complicated infrastructure that requires a higher level of support. That small IT provider can’t keep up anymore and falls behind with maintenance or technology suggestions that help your business begin to slow. In this case, it’s definitely time to move on.
Some signs that you’ve outgrown your provider are:
- They are on a drastically different business level than you – you have a large office and 50 computers, and they have one employee.
- They don’t offer much or anything in the way of contracts, service level agreements, or documentation.
- You notice it’s become more difficult to get problems resolved in an acceptable time frame, and/or to reach your provider when needed.
- Standard business technology services – backups, disaster recovery plans, cloud implementation, mobile device management, network audits, consulting – aren’t available or being done properly through your current IT company.
- They try to supplement their inadequate services by enlisting a client’s staff member as a “helper” – we’ve seen plenty of well-meaning office managers and admins roped into working on issues themselves because the IT support company can’t keep up.
Lack of Strategy or Guidance
Do you only ever notify your IT provider when there’s an ongoing issue? If so, that’s an issue!
A good managed IT provider offers frequent consulting and recommendations. Your provider should keep a pulse on your business goals and find ways they can help you reach them.
Tier 3 Partners is always looking for ways to help make you more successful. In a partnered business relationship, the better your company is doing, the better it is for us.
Your IT provider should be invested in your success. Offering strategy and guidance towards your goals is beneficial for everyone.
Frequent or Repeating IT Issues
Are you constantly noticing the same issues popping up? Are your computers, phones, internet service, etc unreliable and causing downtime? Does important software crash while you’re working? Does it seem like you’re calling for help more than doing your actual job?
These are all clear signs that you aren’t getting what you’re paying for. IT’s first priority should be to make sure you are working on reliable, secure, and fast devices that support your operations.
Unplanned outages, downtime, and slow devices are unacceptable in a world where businesses rely on their technology.
Insufficient Security
This can be a tough area to audit without cyber secruity knowledge. If your current provider isn’t implementing adequate security and audting, how are you supposed to know unless something goes wrong?
A few telltale signs here:
- You notice frequent popups, website redirects, unwanted toolbars, and/or error messages when you’re working online. This suggests a lack of proper security measures and anti-virus and -malware protections, and poor monitoring for these issues.
- If they are supposed to be managing your email, you notice a lot of spam, scam, and phishing emails making it to your inbox. A proper email security solution will ensure that the majority of these are filtered before they ever reach your eyes.
- You get reminders and popups on your computer to update your anti-virus/malware programs, operating system, internet browser, and other software. This is a sign that your IT provider is not keeping up to date with these, which could open your device up to bugs, infections, and other security risks that come with outdated programs.
Frequent or Repeating IT Issues
Are you constantly noticing the same issues popping up? Are your computers, phones, internet service, etc unreliable and causing downtime? Does important software crash while you’re working? Does it seem like you’re calling for help more than doing your actual job?
These are all clear signs that you aren’t getting what you’re paying for. IT’s first priority should be to make sure you are working on reliable, secure, and fast devices that support your operations.
Unplanned outages, downtime, and slow devices are unacceptable in a world where businesses rely on their technology.
98%
Customer Satisfaction Rating
90 Minutes
Average Ticket Resolution Time
11
Years in Business
The quality of your business relationships has a huge impact on how successful you are. Ensure that your IT partner is contributing to your success.
Are you tired of your current IT service provider? You’re not getting the support you’re paying for? Then it’s time to look into switching IT providers.
Technology is constantly changing just like your business, and sometimes it makes sense to switch from one service provider to another.
If you’re hoping for a provider that does it all – consulting, installation, maintenance, and repair, then Tier 3 Partners would be a perfect fit. We’ve helped many clients switch from their former IT providers to us with no downtime or interruption in service for both desktop systems and network services.
Whether your business has grown, you’re looking for something your current provider doesn’t offer, or you’re just no longer satisfied with the service you’re getting, we can help. And if we’re not the new solution you’re looking for, we’re also happy to refer you to another trusted company.
Ready to chat about switching IT providers ?
Frequently Asked Questions About Managed IT Support
What is Managed IT Services?
Managed IT Service means that a company, known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), will set up, manage, and monitor all of your business technology and infrastructure. This includes hardware maintenance, software updates, technology roadmap, and monitoring of all systems to ensure they’re working the best that they can.
MSPs usually will custom design their support to each business’ needs. Your business may only use them for IT support and maintenance, or you may use their services for additional projects or implementations. For instance, your VoIP and telecom systems, data backup and disaster recovery solutions, and cloud services.
With an MSP partnership, you don’t have to worry about hiring a full-time IT person or spending hours managing everything yourself.
What do Managed Services Cost?
We’d love to give you an easy answer, but the cost is different for every business. Cost is determined by things like how many people work at your company, how many devices (computers, phones, printers, tablets, etc.) that need to be managed, whether any equipment needs to be upgraded, and how complex your network and office setup is, how many locations your business has, the programs you use, the level of support needed, and many other factors that make each partnership different.
We design our solutions to the unique needs of your business. We aren’t a one-size-fits-all shop like many other managed service providers.
Your monthly cost could range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. We price our services per user covered. We know you want more, but unfortunately, we can’t give a more accurate answer than this until we get to know your company and its needs through a consultation.
Why do I need Managed IT Services?
If you are a small business owner who doesn’t have the time or resources to hire someone in-house to manage your technology needs then these services are perfect for you.
While some organizations may initially be turned off by a monthly recurring cost, it’s much easier for most to have one predictable expense. This allows for easy budgeting and avoiding unexpected bills. This will also allow you to concentrate on more important things and you will be getting one monthly bill rather than having to manage a budget for salaries, hardware expenses, tools and software, network management, etc.
Managed services can also help businesses scale up quickly without having to invest in additional hardware or employees. As well as quickly deploy new technologies.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your infrastructure is monitored and managed 24/7 so there will be less work and worry on your end.
Managed IT support makes sense for companies that rely on their technology to operate, are in (or want to be in) high-growth mode, don’t want to manage their own internal IT staff, or want to augment their current in-house IT team.
What are some benefits of Managed IT Support?
Managed IT Services is a good option if you don’t have the time or expertise to manage your own hardware, software updates, and other aspects of day-to-day operations. By outsourcing these needs, you will save money on hiring internal staff and won’t need to worry about managing all these items yourself. The end result should be more efficient and streamlined productivity from everyone in the business as technology issues are no longer a concern.
The biggest benefits companies enjoy at a glance are:
- Predictable and scalable technology spend
- Better security
- Faster response and resolution time for technology issues
- Better ROI and value
- Increased productivity and efficiency
- Simplifying your digital transformation
- Reliable systems and devices
- Access to a full team of IT and business experts
- Project management and strategic planning
What's included in a Managed IT Services?
This will vary based on your needs, budget, and provider. Most business IT managed service plans will include all or a mix of these services:
- 24/7/365 remote monitoring and management
- Helpdesk services to solve user issues and offer IT support
- Data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning and management
- Software updates, patches, and upgrades
- Comprehensive, next-gen cybersecurity
- Asset tracking and management
- Business forecasting, future planning, and purchasing assistance
- Service level agreement details
What if I already have one or more IT people in-house?
Managed IT support can still be a great option for companies that already have internal IT. This solution is known as hybrid or co-managed IT.
Companies may want to take advantage of this setup to give their internal person or team some extra support. You can avoid having to deal with hiring additional people.
If the internal IT team wants to complete a project, a managed service provider can help it go much faster and smoother.
If your business has needs or goals that are outside the expertise of an internal IT person, the MSP can step in and take over.
Or, maybe your internal person needs to focus on high-level, strategic company goals. A managed IT service provider can take the burden of everyday needs and troubleshooting off their plate.
