What preparations do you need to make before switching IT partner?

When our customers make the switch to using Grant McGregor to deliver their IT support, there’s usually a fair amount of nervousness about making the change. In this article, we’ll consider what you can do to prepare your organisation if you are thinking about making such a switch.

Change can be scary. And changing IT support providers is no exception to this general rule. Of course, we’d argue that if you’re thinking of switching to Grant McGregor to deliver your IT support, there really isn’t anything to be worried about!

However, in the article we will look at some of the things you might want to do to prepare your organisation before switching IT partner.

#1. Don’t worry about not having a really good overview of your IT estate

It’s natural to think that when you are thinking about changing anything, it’s a good idea to have a good understanding of exactly what you are changing. However, this is less true for your IT estate when switching IT partner than you might think!

What you really need is to switch to an IT partner with a defined onboarding process that includes a full audit as part of the switching process. Read our thoughts on this topic here.

#2. Understand your contractual commitments

This is one thing you can’t skimp on. You need to understand where you stand with your existing IT supplier. Are you still in a contract with them? How long has it got left to run? Are there early redemption penalties? Does it auto-renew?

If you aren’t sure, we recommend asking your supplier for a copy of their current contract with you. At this stage there is no need to let them know you are thinking about switching. You can explain it is simply part of an audit if they ask why you need it.

Armed with this information, you can start planning the schedule for a switch.

#3. Make the case internally

Having an IT partner that isn’t up to the job can cost any organisation a lot of money. There isn’t just the cyber security risk. There’s also all the lost productivity when systems go down or don’t get fixed as quickly as they might. And what about all the workarounds staff have invented because the systems don’t work as they wish? Those workarounds are probably compromising data integrity and security as well as productivity.

For the team at Grant McGregor, however, we think greatest risk of staying with a poorly performing IT partner can be measured in terms of lost opportunity.

What could you be doing if you had a partner that helped you look strategically at your business systems? How would they help you to optimise costs? How would they help you to identify opportunities for real transformation?

When you are making the case internally for a change in IT partner, don’t think only in terms of downtime or missed SLAs.

#4. Shortlist and choose the right IT partner for you

We’re a bit biased on this one. But if you would like to find an IT partner that is committed to delivering a strategic approach to your IT investment alongside delivering excellent day-to-day support and service, then please include Grant McGregor on your list of prospective IT support partners.

You can reach out to our team by calling: 0808 164 4142

#5. Ask to see the switchover plan and onboarding process

The onboarding process should be clearly defined. If you have any questions about how it’s going to work, ask any prospective partner upfront so everybody is clear about how it needs to work.

If you have any doubts, ask to speak with a customer who has already been through the process. This way, you’ll get a great understanding from someone who has already stood in your shoes.

#6. Don’t overthink it!

Actually, there is very little you need to do in terms of preparation to switch IT partners – if you choose the right partner! With a clear onboarding process, defined upfront, and including a thorough audit and discovery phase, there should be little impediment to everything being plain sailing.

Want to know more?

If you’re thinking of switching IT support companies, read this guide first:

Or you can speak with the Grant McGregor team about our onboarding process, by calling us on: 0808 164 4142

Further reading

Dip into our blog for more articles about what to expect when changing IT support partner:

• 6 Common Worries and Mistakes when Moving From IT Suppliers to an IT Partner – And How to Mitigate them!

• 7 Reasons Why You Should Always Ask Any Prospective IT Partner What ISN’T Included

• How much do you need to understand your business IT to change your IT support supplier?