Our top tips for changing IT providers
You won’t realise how reliant you’ve become on an existing IT provider until you try to switch to a new one. With so much sensitive information needing to change hands in a transition, careful planning and timing are important.
Here’s how to manage your risks and make the transition less daunting:
1. Be Involved and have a plan
To make sure your best interests are promoted, and to get your old provider to release all your critical data to a new provider, it’s important to have a plan and remain engaged in the process.
2. Review your existing agreement
Terminating an agreement if you don’t fully understand your exit position is risky. A copy of the original contract with your current provider can help your future provider plan better, manage any obstacles and avoid potential blind spots.
3. Itemised billing, subscriptions, and third-party agreements
Your future provider should have alternatives in place for all existing services. This requires detailed reviewing and planning and needs to cover everything from antivirus subscriptions to software licenses.
4. A detailed backup plan
A backup plan is one of the most important aspects of a provider change. It’s essential to know:
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What data sets are currently backed up by your existing provider?
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When last did you successfully test a backup restore?
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What happens if your data gets compromised in the handover?
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Whether the backups run onsite or offsite?
5. Passwords and access credentials
Your IT provider will keep an extensive password register full of critical information. Without a comprehensive handover of these passwords, a new provider cannot guarantee seamless continuity. Most terminated providers will hold on to passwords for your systems until outstanding bills or disputes are settled.
6. Planning your termination
When you terminate an IT provider who is privy to your sensitive information and systems, there are many considerations and deliverables that you will need their help with, and no real incentive for them to do so. The way you structure and present your termination could make all the difference in mitigating delays and problems.
Want to read more?
Download the full SME Survival guide to continue reading our step-by-step approach to ensure a smooth transition to a new IT Service Provider.
