I Want to Break Free!

At the weekend we celebrated the birth of the fantastic Freddy Mercury…

This post brings you some very valid points about breaking free from a poor IT company, inspired by the lyrics of Queen’s ‘I Want to Break Free’.

Do you ever feel like you want to break free from your current IT support company?

If so, it’s probably a sign that they’re not meeting your needs or fulfilling their SLAs (if indeed they even work to one!). Many companies end up getting tied into lengthy contracts with their IT support providers, only to find that they become dissatisfied with the service.

This happens much more than you think but it’s worth remembering that if your IT support company isn’t holding up their end of the bargain, they’re effectively breaking the contract, so you should have grounds to take your business elsewhere.

“I want to break free from your lies”

After speaking to clients about why they left their existing IT support provider, you’ll be surprised at just how many said they felt they were being lied to or that they'd lost trust in them.

It seems that some IT support companies simply tell prospective clients what they want to hear to get them signed up and then fail to deliver on their promises.

When vetting IT companies, go in with the outlook that if they appear to offer you everything for a low monthly fee and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Find out if they offer any sort of guarantee on the services they’re promising, so you can have the peace of mind that if their work isn’t satisfactory, you’ll be able to get your money back or break the arrangement.

It’s also worth finding out how many clients the IT support company currently has. This will help you to determine how much of their attention your business is going to get. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll be their number one priority. Many businesses are promised this only to find themselves waiting days and days for IT issues to be resolved.

The problem with some IT support companies is that they care more about winning new clients than meeting the needs of existing clients. They’re only out to make money not provide you with the support you signed up for. It’s sad but true - so be careful when making your decision!

Signs it’s time to break free from your IT support partner

Even just considering swapping to a new IT support partner suggests that you’re not happy. Whilst you may not be able to put your finger on what’s wrong, something must have happened to make you feel like you want to move to another company. Other common signs that it’s time to break free from your IT support partner include:

Communication is non-existent – A good relationship cannot work without effective communication. If your IT support partner never seems to be there to take your calls or answer your queries, it’s a sign that it’s time to move on.

They don’t understand your business – The idea of having an IT support provider is that they help you to work towards your business goals. If your current partner doesn’t appear to understand your business or the direction you are heading in, it is best you find a company that does.

Lack of ideas – The world of IT is constantly changing and your IT support company should be keeping ahead of the game by providing you with innovative and beneficial solutions for your business. If they seem to lack ideas and never bring anything new to the table, you may want to consider finding a provider that is more up to date with the latest technology.

You’re spending money on nothing – If you feel like you’re spending money on your IT support services but getting very little from them, it’s time to find a company that will provide the results you need. Don’t let your money get washed down the drain, spend it wisely on first class IT support services that meet your needs.

You’re being sold products you don’t really need – Do you feel like your IT support package isn’t relevant to your business? The problem with some IT companies is that they’ll push you into buying any old service if it makes them a little extra each month! If you’re spending money on unnecessary IT services, it’s time to break free and take your business elsewhere.

“I can’t get used to, living without, living without, living without you by my side”

Many business owners fear ending their IT support contract and moving to a new provider. They worry that it’s going to have negative implications for their business such as high levels of downtime, security issues and poor efficiency.

The truth is that it’s actually much riskier to continue working with a poor IT Support Company. If they’re not communicating, not keeping your systems up to date and not providing any results, there’s no benefit to your company. Get used to living without them by your side and build a new relationship with a better and more stable IT support company.

“But life still goes on”

It can take a little while to get used to working with a new IT Support Company, however it’s their job to make sure everything runs smoothly. Here at Grant McGregor we have a proven on-boarding process including a new client checklist to ensure that any clients that are swapping over from an existing provider can experience a seamless transition.

The checklist includes points such as carrying out an IT system assessment audit (to get to know your hardware and software) and changing your passwords to prevent your previous provider from being able to access your system.

We also take the time to get to know all of our new clients. Our IT support team likes to sit down and find out what exactly you need. This way they can ensure your service package is tailored to meet your requirements. Work with a company like us and you can avoid making the same mistakes twice!

“So baby can’t you see, I’ve got to break free”

If you’ve found yourself nodding along to the points we’ve made in this article then it’s looking like now is the time to start looking for a new provider.

Take a look at your contract to check that you’re not tied in for a certain length of time and make it clear to your IT support provider that you are taking your business elsewhere. The provider is likely to ask why and we always think it’s best to be honest.

If you’ve not been satisfied with their services, politely explain so, as you never know, it could encourage them to make changes, which prevent them losing other clients in the future.

Before signing up with a new IT support provider, have a clear idea of what you want and what you do not want. This will ensure that you only purchase the services that will provide value to your business. Make sure that you like the people behind the business, as after all you’re going to be working with them on an on-going basis.

Finally, check that the new IT support company is able to offer you the services you require, within your budget. If they can’t, move onto the next on your list!

Ready to see what Grant McGregor has to offer? Call us today on 0131 603 7910.

Here's a handy checklist of 6 crucial points for you to consider if this has got you thinking about your IT services!

Image credit: madamepsychosis