7 Signs You Need to Fire Your Current Managed IT Services Provider

Face it— owning a business doesn’t make you a technology expert. That’s why so many companies hire managed IT services providers. Not only do they offer timely support at your request, but many also proactively recommend cost-saving services you may not even know you needed. The great thing about outsourcing to managed services providers is having a pro to handle the technical aspects of your business. The downside comes when your provider’s services are outdated or lacking—something that can be difficult to determine when you’re not in the IT field. I’ve compiled a list of six signs you need to fire your current IT managed services provider:

1. They fix issues instead of preventing them.

Don’t get me wrong—you want an IT team that can fix your issues. But wouldn’t you rather have one that prevented them altogether? Reactive patching to IT problems provides a temporary fix. Rather than patching problems, your IT support should proactively maintain your software and systems instead of applying constant fixes.

2. They are slow to respond.

When it comes to IT support, time is of the essence. Most companies depend on their software, websites and systems to run their businesses. An IT support service that takes hours or even days to address issues affects your bottom line. Your IT services provider should be quick to respond and resolve all issues.

3. Their customer service is poor.

A dedicated account representative or responsive customer service is a must. Does any of this sound familiar?

• Your provider tends to experience high turnover among customer service reps or other staff
• Your provider makes you feel like you’re bothering them when you make a request or, even worse,
• Your provider takes a long time to return calls or frequently fails to answer them.

If any of this is true, then it’s time to find a new managed services provider.

4. They aren’t keeping your network safe.

If hackers, malware, viruses and other serious (and preventable) issues are breaching your network, then your provider is failing to keep your network safe.  Additionally, they should have everything backed up on offsite servers. If not, a disaster could wipe everything on your network away.

5. They don’t provide 24/7 monitoring.

Your staff may go home at 5:00 p.m., but that doesn’t mean your business stops running. Your IT managed services provider should offer round-the-clock monitoring to address problems that happen after hours. A system that crashes in the middle of the night and isn’t addressed until 9:00 a.m. the following day means hours of downtime during peak business hours.

6. They’re unable to accommodate growth.

Many managed IT services providers specialize in business size. If your business has grown and your provider is no longer capable of supporting a business your size, you’ll need to switch providers to maintain your company’s productivity.

7. You’re getting service for a bargain.

Most companies want to cut costs. However, there are some things you shouldn’t scrimp on, and IT managed services is one of them. With IT support, you get what you pay for—depending on your company’s needs, this can be anywhere from $75-175 per user per month. If you’re paying a provider less than that, you’re likely getting subpar service. No matter what type of business you’re in, technology undoubtedly plays a major role. If your managed services provider isn’t delivering top-notch service, it’s time to find a new one. The right IT provider can mean the difference between a company that flounders and one that flourishes.