How to Prepare to Switch Managed Service Providers

The many benefits of hiring a managed service provider has led to massive growth in the industry. Managed services can offer scalability, predictable fixed costs, IT experience and expertise, better cybersecurity, data backup, and more.

According to Grand View Research, the global managed service market was worth $267.3 billion in 2022, and it stands to grow at a 13.6% annual growth rate between this year and 2030.

What You Should Do Before Switching Managed Service Providers

But what should you do if you have a managed service provider (MSP) and are still looking for a better level of service? Going without the help a managed service provider offers isn’t the right move. Instead, switch service providers to get the help you need.

Continue reading for information on how to switch MSPs and how Medlin Communications can help make the transition easy, seamless, and painless.

Assess Your Current MSP
Before switching to another MSP, evaluate your current provider. Consider any issues you may have had concerning response time, range of options, or customer service.

Are the issues serious enough to warrant jumping ship? If so, you’ll want to know how to change your service provider. Things will be more complicated if you’re still under contract with an MSP. You’ll likely face a financial penalty if switching to another MSP means breaking a binding agreement.

If you’re going to switch regardless, don’t proceed until you can figure out exactly why you want to select a different service provider. After all, you can’t fix something if you don’t know why it’s broken.
Seek Out the Best Managed Service Providers
Before ending your current MSP service agreement:
1. Find a replacement.
2. Research to find the best-managed service providers helping companies in your region.
3. Create a shortlist of candidates you are interested in hiring and set up consultation appointments.
Ideally, you’ll want managed service providers to explain their unique value propositions and what sets them apart from the competition. In other words, you need to find out what makes them the ideal MSP for your business? How can they help a business in your specific industry? Ask questions and assess the answers. Use the responses to make informed decisions.
Have Your New MSP Conduct an Audit of Your IT Environment
When you select a new MSP, the service provider will make an appointment to visit your office and assess your current IT network, infrastructure, and user requirements. The MSP will also speak with your employees and evaluate software, hardware, procedures, processes, and more before letting you know the cost of the service. The audit will be more effective if you provide the new MSP with information on what things your current MSP has implemented and what strategy they have pursued for your business.

The new MSP will know how to prepare to switch managed service providers and will consider things you might miss. For instance, you might be leasing things through your current MSP. Your present MSP might be using proprietary antivirus and security software that might adversely impact email flow if disconnected from your IT infrastructure. When the new MSP conducts the audit, they will comb over everything. The goal will be to make the switch seamless without inconveniencing users or jeopardizing your IT network.

As your business grows, your IT needs will likely change, too. Luckily, a managed service provider can provide you with the support you need to adapt. Learn more below.

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Begin the Takeover Process
After you’ve figured out the details of ending your current MSP project, your new MSP will coordinate the switch. They will do the heavy lifting to ensure you get the protection you need. The new MSP will also remove any hardware and software from the former MSP and install their own instead. They will also update passwords for the network and administrator so that the old MSP can no longer access your IT infrastructure. The onboarding process is critical to the change to a new managed service provider. That’s one reason the new MSP will back up your IT network. The backup will be a safety net if there’s a hiccup during the switch.
Draft a Contract
After the new MSP has completed the audit, they will generate your service contract. The contract should be done in a way that meets your company’s unique needs. You’ll have the chance to review what’s included in the contract, but there’s usually a deadline to accept the contract, so assessing it as soon as possible is best. Still, you need to understand what you’re signing.

Ensure You Evaluate Your Contract Requirements

As mentioned, you must study the contract you signed with your current managed service provider. Contact your MSP and inform them of your intention to terminate the contract. Unfortunately, however, you’ll be at the mercy of the contract terms you agreed to. It’s not uncommon for an MSP to require several months of notice before accepting the termination of a contract.

Depending on the MSP’s policies, your business might have to adhere to other provisions. Ensure you understand your obligations concerning ending a contract so that you don’t do anything that gets you in trouble.

Medlin Communications Makes the Switch Easy

It can be daunting to switch from one managed service provider to another. Medlin Communications makes it easy. As one of the best managed service providers in the industry, we offer managed IT solutions to help businesses succeed. We’re a leading commercial systems integrator offering an inside staff of professionals with more than 100 years of combined experience in the telecommunications industry.

We offer our various managed services as all-inclusive packages that include hardware, software, installation, service, and maintenance. Medlin empowers you to stop buying technology and start investing in solutions and tools that cover, manage, and secure every node on your network.

Get in touch for more information on how we can help your business. Cybersecurity is an important issue for businesses of all sizes and all sectors. Finding the right managed service provider to work with is paramount.

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How to Prepare to Switch Managed Service Providers

Assess Your Current MSP

Seek Out the Best Managed Service Providers

Have Your New MSP Conduct an Audit of Your IT Environment

Begin the Takeover Process

Draft a Contract

Ensure You Evaluate Your Contract Requirements

Medlin Communications Makes the Switch Easy

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