The day of love and relationships is treated in many different ways. Some go all out with the roses and candlelit dinners, while others barely notice its existence. But spare a thought for the disappointed – those whose partner didn’t meet their Valentine’s Day expectations. And while receiving a box of Celebrations instead of a designer watch might not be reason to re-evaluate your relationship, there is another relationship you might want to have a good, hard look at – the one with your IT provider.
How to know they’re not the one
Missing out on Valentine’s Day roses isn’t the end of the world (although we don’t blame you if right now it feels like it is – you deserved better!) But missing out on the right IT services really could be the end of the world for your business.
This is a list of just some of the things you should be getting from your IT team or Managed Service Provider, because…standards:
- You feel like their only customer – or at least their response times are fast and they give you what you need, when you need it.
- They customise a solution to your business requirements – if they haven’t taken the time to understand what your business needs and where it’s going, it’s a massive red flag.
- They speak to you like business owners, not tech geeks – because you need a technology solution to a business problem, not to find yourself drowning in jargon.
- They are proactive – they should be actively working to keep your technology environment updated and secure.
- They take cyber security seriously – your service should include cyber security protection, maintenance and monitoring.
- They tailor business continuity support to your operations – they should know the difference between your critical and non-essential data, and tailor a solution to suit.
Finding the perfect match
Having the next partner lined up before leaving the old one is frowned upon when it comes to love, but for your IT it’s essential. And whether it’s saying “I do” or signing a a Managed Services Agreement, you want to know what you’re in for before you commit.
When choosing your new Managed Services Provider, these are a few things to consider:
- Experience – do they have experience in your industry? Or at least work with a diverse range of industries, demonstrating that they can quickly grasp the requirements of a new one?
- Customer longevity – do they have customers that have been with them five to ten years, or are they turning them over every five weeks?
- Business focus – once you meet with them, do they take the time to understand your business and the direction you’re headed, or do they get straight into the technology side of the discussion?
- Budget planning – do they help you prioritise services based on your budget and what your business needs to succeed?
- Personality and culture fit – they might not be your soulmate, but are they relatable and a good match for you and your team?
- Reputation – do they have a good reputation in your industry? Do they have reviews, testimonials and case studies to back this up?
It’s not you, it’s me…actually it is you
If you’ve decided you need to move on and you’ve found your new partner (of the MSP variety), it’s time to have the talk. We recommend that first you have a close look at your current agreement and calculate the cost of any early termination fees, so you can time the termination of your agreement.
It’s also important to create a knowledge transfer plan to ensure you know what software, hardware, training materials and other intellectual property you’re entitled to from your previous provider.
A good (new) IT provider should be able to support you with this transition and advise you on the best steps to take.
Could you do better?
Some IT providers sell you the dream, only to let you down when you need them. But at Calvert, we believe the honeymoon phase should last forever. We have over 25 years of experience working with a diverse range of industries, from construction to health to professional services.
If you want to see if the grass really is greener, book a free, no-obligation consultation today.
