If you’re among the millions of businesses that use a managed IT services provider (MSP), congratulations. You have more wisdom, vision, and foresight than many of your competitors. It’s also likely that you’re reaping the myriad rewards of this trusted contracting arrangement, including lower costs, less downtime and greater network security. The question is, are you getting the full value that you’re paying for? Is the provider engaged, paying attention, and delivering on contracted commitments?
In the normal day-to-day, are they more proactive or reactive? Sometimes the answers are obvious. Other times, not so much. Here are four telltale signs (among many) that justify switching IT managed services providers:
Nothing stays fixed.
A reputable IT MSP uses the latest tools, technologies, and databases to detect and resolve issues before they disrupt your operations. When problems do sneak through, the provider will thoroughly document the incident and recommend steps to prevent or address future occurrences. Repeated instances of the same or similar problems reveal the provider’s lack of vigilance, poor monitoring and tracking practices, or lack of professionalism or technical expertise. Whichever it is, your enterprise—and all the data residing on it—remain precariously at risk.
They’re tactical not strategic.
There may have been a time when a reactive “repair person” was all your company needed. But with the increasing complexity (and vulnerability) of modern enterprise, you obviously need much more. An engaged and proactive IT partner will understand your business, inside and out, and work to align systems and solutions with strategic goals and objectives. For example, has your provider recently recommended a complete security audit or regulatory compliance assessment? How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your disaster recovery plan or cloud computing strategy? Or offered ransomware training for your staff?
You’ve outgrown them.
Many businesses start small then, through sound practices and good decisions, expand and grow. As they do, their dependence on technology increases. Evidence that your success has outpaced your provider’s ability to support it includes infrequent communications and updates, slower response times and a growing backlog of critical upgrades, fixes, and improvements.
You feel like a hostage.
When a non-IT person must interface with the MSP, it can be difficult to determine whether you’re getting advice that’s sound, prudent and in your company’s best interest. When something arises that you don’t understand, you may feel intimidated or ill-equipped to question the provider’s recommendations or spending. So instead of more communication, there is less. And any sense of cooperation and collaboration between you quickly disappears, leaving you feeling angry, resentful, or even trapped—hesitant to make a change because doing so seems stressful and overwhelming.
The good news is that you are not stuck and that switching IT providers may be easier than you think. But the longer you put it off, the harder a change will be. If you’re feeling even the slightest twinge that things aren’t quite right in your MSP relationship and could be better, trust your instincts. Your success is at stake and there’s much more to gain than there is to lose. Reach out to us if you’d like to explore your options.
About Tailwind
Tailwind is a global provider of managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions, offering industry-leading support, cybersecurity, cloud, salesforce, infrastructure and compliance services. As one of the top MSPs, Tailwind's 24/7/365 US-staffed support team designs technology solutions to accelerate business and reduce IT risks.
Tailwind IT
