Frustrated with your IT support team? It could be time to switch IT providers.
Indicators of Poor IT Service
1. Lack of Strategy & Innovation
Technology is constantly evolving, and your business needs to keep up to stay competitive. If your current IT provider isn’t proactive in this regard, you may encounter roadblocks or unexpected expenses down the line.
What You Should Be Receiving:
A strategic approach to technology planning is crucial. Your IT provider should be conducting regular Business Reviews, where they highlight how their services have improved your business efficiencies. They should also be gathering feedback and providing a clear technology roadmap, allowing you to anticipate and budget for upcoming expenses. Since you are focused on running your business, your provider should stay updated on the latest trends and technologies, advising you proactively and ensuring your business remains at the cutting edge.
2. Increase in System Downtime & Slow Response
In the IT business, there’s a saying: “You’re only as good as your last support ticket.” If you’ve noticed that response times are slowing down or you’re not receiving updates on the status of your issues, that’s a significant problem. Additionally, frequent system downtime that impacts your productivity should not be overlooked.
What You Should Be Receiving:
Your IT provider should respond within 2-3 hours, even if it’s just to acknowledge the issue and let you know they are working on it. Communication is key. Your provider should also proactively manage system updates, scheduling them during non-business hours to minimize disruption. They should also ensure that any updates won’t interfere with third-party integrations, maintaining seamless operations for your business.
3. Cybersecurity Isn't Part of Their Decision Making
Cybersecurity should be at the core of your IT provider’s decision-making process—it’s not optional in today’s world. Your provider should have extensive knowledge of trending cyber attacks and prevention strategies. Just because IT providers are abundant (like Starbucks on every corner) doesn’t mean they are all qualified to protect your data. If your provider allows you to forgo essential cybersecurity applications or practices due to cost or convenience, they are not effectively doing their job, and you should be concerned.
What You Should Be Receiving:
You need a provider who prioritizes robust cyber defense strategies. They should offer regular cybersecurity training for your employees and implement comprehensive prevention plans and applications to stop attacks before they start. Additionally, they should have a well-documented action plan in place for responding to any cyber attacks that do occur. A competent IT provider will not cut corners on costs if it compromises security, nor will they let end users pick and choose security measures to save money. Their goal should be to provide the best possible protection for your business.
4. Significantly Cheaper than the Industry Average
IT providers vary in cost, and in this industry, you truly get what you pay for. Be sure to do your research and gather quotes from reputable IT providers. If you find that your current provider is charging significantly below the industry average, there’s likely a reason for it. It could be a one-person operation with no real credentials or infrastructure to protect your data adequately (trust us, this does happen).
What You Should Be Receiving:
You should expect stellar customer service from a team of specialists who genuinely care about your business. Your IT partner should be strategic, offering technology guidance with a focus on protecting your data at all costs. Exceptional service and expertise often come at a higher cost, but this investment ensures that you receive reliable, professional, and comprehensive support. Avoid the temptation to cut costs at the expense of quality; instead, choose a provider who offers value and peace of mind.
Don't Let Fear of the Unknown Hold You Back
Change can be intimidating, and the fear of ending up in a worse situation often stops people from making necessary decisions. We frequently hear, “At least I know what to expect with my current provider,” which often allows poor IT providers to renew their contracts. We’re here to address these concerns and share how Prime makes the switch straightforward and stress-free.
4 Excuses You Are Making
1. Familiarity
You’re used to working with your current IT provider, and you know their systems and processes. Switching to a new provider means learning new systems and technologies, which can seem daunting.
2. Fear of the Unknown
Switching IT providers can feel risky. You don’t know how a new provider will perform, and you may worry about the potential impact on your business if things go wrong.
3. Time and Effort
Finding a new IT provider can be time-consuming and require significant effort. Researching multiple providers, reading reviews, and seeking recommendations from other businesses can feel overwhelming.
4. Loyalty
You may feel a sense of loyalty to your current IT provider, especially if you’ve been with them for a long time. You might think it’s unfair to switch providers without giving your current one a chance to address and fix the problems.
Our Recommendation For Switching IT Providers
We recommend regularly assessing your IT provider’s performance and being willing to make a change if necessary. Don’t be afraid to explore other providers, read reviews, and get recommendations from other businesses. Or requesting an IT audit from another provider to reveal any gaps in your service. By doing so, you can ensure that your business stays competitive, secure, and profitable in the long run.
Finding a new IT provider can be challenging, but with some education, you can take a lot of the guess work out of it and make an informed decision. We invite you to take a closer look at our resource, which provides you with a guide on how to make switching providers easy. Download it here or contact Prime Secured with any questions on how to make the switch.
