Switching IT providers without downtime

Many organisations stay too long with an IT provider they are unhappy with, out of fear of hassle when switching. Understandable, but usually unfounded: a good switch happens in a controlled way and without downtime. In this article you read how. Want the broader picture of outsourcing first? Then read the guide IT management for SMEs.

Can you switch without downtime?

Yes, provided it is well prepared. A clean switch happens in phases: first the new party maps your environment, then management is taken over step by step, and only when everything is right does the old situation go. In practice your colleagues notice little of it. We have applied this approach ourselves, so we know where the points of attention are.

When is it time to switch?

When you experience more annoyance than help. Recognisable signals: slow responses, unclear invoices, a changing point of contact or a party that does not think along. If security is neglected or you get no clear answer to simple questions, staying costs you more in the long run than switching.

What to look out for when switching?

At a careful handover. Watch especially:

• Access and data. Make sure you own your own data, accounts and domain name.
• A plan of action. A good party first maps and then migrates in phases.
• Knowledge transfer. What did the old party know that needs to be recorded?
• A fallback option. During the switch the old situation stays as a safety net until everything works for certain.

What if the old provider does not cooperate?

That happens, but it need not be a blockade. An experienced partner can also carry out a switch without full cooperation, as long as you own your data and access. That is why that ownership is so important: it keeps you free to choose.

How IT-gemak arranges the switch

We take the whole switch off your hands as part of all-in IT management: inventory, a plan of action, phased takeover and aftercare. That way you move to a dedicated team that knows you, without bringing your work to a halt. For more on what to look out for when choosing, read choosing an MSP: what to look for.

Ready for a fresh start? Schedule a no-obligation consultation. We tell you honestly what a switch looks like for you.