In today’s digital age, running a business means relying on technology to stay competitive. But let’s face it, IT maintenance can be stressful, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. That’s where managed IT providers come in. Outsourcing your IT operations can help you cut costs while increasing efficiency. But here’s the thing: not all service providers are equal. 

In this blog post, we’ll share some signs to help you determine whether it’s in your business’s best interest to switch to a new IT provider and practical tips for finding a trustworthy IT support partner who can help your business thrive. 

Why Outsourcing IT is Important

Let’s cut to the chase. Outsourcing IT can bring numerous benefits to businesses, such as cost savings, expertise, more time on your business, and the ability to grow as much as you need. 

Here’s how: 

• Cost savings: You can spend less time posting jobs, hosting interviews, conducting background checks, or incurring other recruitment-and training-related costs. You also don’t have to be concerned about pay or benefits. For example, according to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a single, low to mid-level IT professional in the United States is around $70,000. Now imagine if you had to employ a whole team of IT Professionals, including specialists who command a higher rate!  Additionally, when outsourcing IT, you save money on hardware and software that you would purchase for an internal IT team, such as computers, servers, equipment, and software licenses.

• Access to expertise: When you team up with a managed IT partner, you get access to their suite of varied expertise at a fraction of the cost of employing each specialty in-house. Each expert on a managed IT team is specialized in different areas. This means they can assist you with cybersecurity, cloud computing, network management, and other services. Because they have that knowledge and expertise in their specific field, they can provide high-quality solutions and support. They will also assist in developing IT strategies that align with your business objectives, such as assessments, road mapping, and planning. 

• Focus on core business: By outsourcing IT, companies can focus on their core skills and strategic objectives. This lets your team focus on marketing, sales, and customer services or catch up on other tasks, such as financial and human resource management. By leveraging the expertise of a managed IT provider, you can ensure that your technology solutions are in excellent hands without managing IT yourself. 

• Scalability and flexibility: Managed IT service providers offer solutions that are adaptable to changing business needs. This includes adding more users, upgrading storage space, or adjusting service agreements based on the required level of support. During high season or when launching new products or services, your organization may need additional help and then scale back during slower times. 

Signs It’s Time for a New Managed IT Provider 

Is your current managed IT provider not meeting your expectations? Do you find yourself constantly dealing with issues like outdated technology solutions, lack of communication, and rising costs with no added value? If so, it may be time to consider switching to a new provider. In this section, we’ll explore five common signs that indicate it’s time for a change. By being aware of these signs and taking action, you can ensure your business has the IT support it needs to thrive. So let’s dive in and explore how to identify when it’s time for a new managed IT provider. 

Lack of Communication and Responsiveness 

It is essential to have a positive working relationship with your IT provider to receive excellent service and maintain business relationships. If your current IT provider does not respond quickly to your requests or communicate proactively about concerns and upgrades, it may be time to choose a new IT provider who is better fit for your organization’s needs. Here is how to spot communication issues with your current provider. 

• Evaluate their response time and channels of communication. How long does it take to receive a response to your requests? Do they prefer to communicate through phone or email? 
• Check to see if the IT provider has a dedicated account manager. Having a point of contact for communication makes it easier to address issues and it gives you peace of mind that you have a go-to person to rely on when things go wrong. 

Outdated Technology Solutions 

Do you use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to manage your company’s finances? Microsoft Excel is a great tool, but managing finances through spreadsheets will be hard to keep up as your company grows and adds more team members and customers. An IT provider will help you choose and upgrade your software to help streamline your accounting processes and reduce the possibility of errors. Here are some questions to ask yourself about your managed IT provider: 

• Experience: Do they have experience working with legacy systems (outdated technology that still works) and have the knowledge and expertise to install and maintain new technology? 
• Approach to data migration: Does your IT provider have a data migration plan that covers your company’s important information? Having a plan in place will keep your data safe and secure during the move and that none of your data gets lost or changes in the process. 
• Long-term support plans: Upgrading and modernizing outdated technology is not a one-time process. Does the IT provider have a long-term support pan, including maintenance, updates, and upgrades? 

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s clear that your IT provider isn’t keeping up with technology trends and is still using outdated solutions. Switch to an IT provider that can help your business increase productivity, improve cybersecurity, and improve accuracy. 

Inability to Meet Service Level Agreements (SLA)

If you’re considering switching IT services providers, it could be because your current provider has repeatedly failed to meet your service level agreement (SLA). As a customer, you expect a certain level of service to be delivered within a specific timeframe, and when your provider consistently fails to meet those expectations, it can cause a lot of frustration and disruption. 

For example, if your provider promises a certain response time for support tickets and repeatedly fails to meet that timeframe, it can lead to downtime for your business and lost productivity. In some cases, it can even impact your ability to serve your own clients, leading to lost revenue and damage to your reputation. 

The most common ways that IT service providers fail to meet their SLAs include not providing timely support, failing to resolve issues completely, and not communicating effectively with the customer. If you’re experiencing any of these issues with your current provider, it may be a sign that it’s time to consider a change. By switching to a new IT service provider that can better meet your needs, you can ensure your business has the support it needs to thrive. 

Security Breaches and Data Loss 

When it comes to IT security, prevention is crucial, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Statistics show that 46% of cyber breaches happen in companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. This means it’s more important than ever for small and medium-sized businesses to work with an IT service provider that provides proactive solutions to reduce the risk of security breaches and data loss. 

Here are some ways that you can determine if your IT service provider is providing proactive solutions to cut down on the risk of security breaches and data loss: 

1. Regular Security Audits: Your IT service provider should conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and infrastructure. These audits should be performed by experienced professionals who can identify potential weaknesses and make recommendations to improve your security posture. 
2. Ongoing Security Training: Your IT service provider should provide ongoing security training to your staff to ensure they know the latest security threats and best practices. This can include training on password management, phishing prevention, and other security-related topics. 
3. Use of Advanced Security Technologies: Your IT service provider should use advanced security technologies to protect your systems and data. This can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software, among others. 
4. Disaster Recovery Planning: Your IT service provider should have a disaster recovery plan in place in case of security breach or data loss. This plan should include regular backups of your data and a process for restoring data in the event of a loss. 
5. Proactive Communication: Your IT service provider should be proactive in communicating with you about potential security risks and any measures they are taking to address them. They should also be available to answer any questions you may have about your security posture. 

By evaluating your IT service provider on these criteria, you can determine if they are providing proactive solutions to cut down on the risk of security breaches and data loss. If they are not, it may be time to consider switching to a provider that can better meet your security needs. 

Rising Costs with No Added Value 

As a customer, it’s important to keep an eye on the pricing of your IT service provider and ensure that you’re receiving the best value for your investment. Here are some ways you can evaluate whether your provider is raising costs without adding value: 

1. Regularly review your invoices: Make sure to review your invoices each month to ensure that you’re being charged for the services that you have agreed upon. Look for any unexplained increases or additional charges that you did not approve.
2. Ask for a detailed breakdown of charges: Request a detailed breakdown of charges from your IT service provider so that you can see exactly what you’re being charged for. This will help you identify any unnecessary charges or areas where costs could be reduced. 
3. Evaluate the quality of service: Take a close look at the quality of service you’re receiving from your IT service provider. Are they responsive when you have issues? Are they providing proactive solutions to prevent problems before they occur? If not, it may be time to consider switching to a provider that offers better value for your investment. 
4. Check the market rates: Do some research to find out what other IT service providers are charging for similar services. This will give you a better idea of whether your current provider charges a fair price for their services. 

Remember, if your IT service provider is raising costs without adding value, it may be time to consider switching to a provider that can offer better value for your investment. By regularly reviewing your invoices, requesting detailed breakdowns of charges, evaluating the quality of service, and checking market rates, you can make an informed decision about whether to continue with your current provider or switch to a provider that offers better value for your investment. 

Tips for Choosing a New Managed IT Provider

Choosing a new IT service provider is a big decision for any business, and it’s crucial to make sure you’re selecting a provider with the experience, expertise, and support necessary to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for assistance with cybersecurity, cloud computing, network infrastructure, or other IT-related tasks, you want to work with a provider that has a proven track record of success in these areas. Let’s go over a few tips for choosing your next IT service provider. 

Evaluate the Potential Provider’s Experience and Expertise 

Find a successful IT support team who delivers the right solutions for your company. This includes:

• Experience and expertise in your industry. (healthcare, manufacturing, retail, etc.)
• Certifications and qualifications to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge 
• References and case studies to evaluate their track record of success within your industry. 

Check for Quality Assurance and Certifications

When looking for a new provider, find one you can rely on to deliver quality solutions with the certifications to back them up. 

• Quality Assurance Measures: They have processes to ensure their solutions meet high standards. 
• Relevant Certifications: This includes ISO 27001, SOC 2, or HIPAA compliance, which shows that a provider has met rigorous standards and data protection standards. 
• Committed to Improvement: Look for a provider who is constantly looking for new ways to improve their solutions and stay ahead of the competition. 

Review Their Availability and Level of Customer Support 

It’s best to work with a provider who will be available to you when you need them. That’s where customer support comes in. Is there a dedicated support team on hand 24/7? Regarding your IT needs, a strong customer support system can help run your business smoothly. 

Consider Scalability and Future Growth 

When selecting a new managed IT provider, consider how much you want to grow and scale in the future, as larger firms have more advanced IT needs. Here are a few things to consider: 

• Scalability: Do they have enough technological resources or IT staff to accommodate your IT needs? 
• Flexible pricing and contract options: Do you plan to change your service level as your IT situation changes? 
• Customer service and support: Do you need more hands-on assistance and strategic guidance? As your business grows, find an IT provider to handle the demands for customer support. 
• Geographic reach and availability: Do you have multiple locations or remote employees? If this is the case, ensure that the IT provider can meet your needs across multiple locations and time zones, if needed. 

Don’t let IT issues slow your business down – partner with The CORE Group

Choosing the right IT provider is crucial for the success of your business. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Make sure you evaluate their experience and expertise, look for quality assurance and certifications, and most importantly, check how they handle customer support. These factors can make all the difference in the level of service and support your business receives. 

Don’t wait to get started on finding the best IT provider for your business. Contact us today for a free consultation with our team of experts at The CORE Group. We offer a wide range of services, including cloud solutions, security services, and managed IT support for any sized business in Southern California. Let us help your business grow and thrive in the digital age. If your business is in Long Beach, Orange County, or Los Angeles, we’re here to assist you with all your IT needs. 

The post 5 Signs You Need a New Managed IT Provider & How to Choose One appeared first on Core-Group.