Switching IT Providers Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Posted By in Managed IT Services

Today, many small businesses outsource their San Diego IT support needs to an IT service provider in some fashion or another to help their business save money and stay competitive. However, there are times when businesses select the wrong IT service provider, and the thought of switching seems difficult. The good news is that switching IT service providers doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem.

So why might a business wish to choose a new IT service provider? Here are some of the most common reasons:

  • Limited availability – Most companies rely heavily on their information technology in order to be able to operate. When it comes to downtime or a problem arises, they may look to another service provider if their current provider has limited availability or does not provide 24 hour IT support in San Diego for emergency and unforeseen situations.
  • Ability to grow with the company – When a company grows, its IT support needs grow as well. A problem can arise if their IT service provider has limited number of resources and knowledge to deal with the evolving needs of the particular client.
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  • -          The IT service provider is a “fixer” not a solution provider – To stay competitive in today’s market, small businesses must have their operations run with minimum interruption and top level efficiency.  However, if a company’s service provider can only provide break-fix support and not cannot recommend preventative measures or viable IT solutions for small businesses, this can be a reason to shop for another provider. 

What are some of the reasons that a company may not be able to change IT service providers?  A company might feel they are stuck with their IT service provider because they believe it is too difficult to find another one that can do a better job.  Or they might be frustrated and can’t even think of where to start to look for another provider.  Other companies might be afraid of the process of changing being so complex that they might incur more downtime.

The bottom line is, choosing the right IT service provider for your company is a very important process and definitely should not be taken lightly. The good news is that there are specific steps a small business can take to make sure it makes the right decision including:

  • Make sure there is a representative to talk to directly. You want to be sure that the provider answers the phone when you call them instead of an automated attendant.  After all, when you are calling you want to talk to a person.  A good IT service provider has a team of IT professionals to help facilitate the support process, not just one person who has to do it all.  Availability is very important when it making the decision on choosing an IT service provider.
  • Be wary of companies without history and experience! You want to find an IT service provider who has been in business for a number of years (the more the better) and also has a repeated track record of keeping its customers happy.  This shows that their staff of San Diego IT consultants are experts in their field.
  • Check out local companies and providers. Time is money, so you also should look for an IT service provider that is local. They can not only dispatch staff to you as needed, but can provide remote support to get your technical issues resolved with minimal downtime.
  • Look for a company with outstanding employees. Lastly, personality is part of the equation.  Let’s face it, we do business with people we like and your IT service provider should be no exception.  If you find yourself not clicking with your provider, it can lead to stress and miscommunication.  Oftentimes, staff at IT service providers cannot communicate things clearly and that is very important.

To avoid a lot of headaches and potentially losing profits, choosing the right IT service provider is very important. It will help you focus more on growing your business, while providing you with peace of mind knowing that you and your infrastructure are taken care of. If you follow the right steps, finding a quality IT service provider might be less painful than you might think!

For more information about changing IT service providers, reach out to Syndeo Communications. We can make the transition simple and hassle-free and we also offer free consultations where you can learn more about our services. Call us today at 760-650-3300.