It’s official: your current IT provider is not quite meeting the goals you’d like them to meet. You need a change. But how do you go about changing an essential component of your business without compromising your efficiency? Well, we’re going to let you in on a little secret: changing IT provider is not as difficult as you might think. Don’t believe us? All you have to do is scroll down to find the 5 steps to make changing IT provider as smooth as possible.  

 Step 1: Request An Audit  

Before you do anything, the first step you should take is requesting an audit from a prospective IT provider. An audit, in consultation with you and your business goals, is an essential step in identifying which areas of your IT service you are looking to improve on and which areas you are satisfied with. After all, who wants to go through the process of changing to a new IT provider without a clear outline of how to improve your service. An audit makes sure that you know exactly how a new provider can improve your service and may even identify new areas to improve on you hadn’t thought of. 

Step 2: Work Out A Solution Design 

 Once an audit has been completed, the next step should be the creation of a solution design plan from your future IT provider. Nearly as important as the audit, a solution design plan identifies practical ways that your new IT provider can improve your service. Whether it’s upgrading your phone systems, introducing an office-wide cloud storage system or ensuring that your data is secure, a solution design will provide you with a tangible plan on how your new IT provider can best fulfil your needs.  

Step 3: Find An IT Provider That Is Also Your Partner 

 We all know how essential stand-out IT performance is to you and your business. So when you’re looking for a new IT provider, make sure you opt for one that will act more as a partner than just another service provider. A good IT provider should take a holistic approach and consider every part of your current IT set-up and future goals. That way your provider can work with you in ensuring that the services available to you are continuing to help you get where you want to go. For more information on what makes for an excellent IT provider, make sure to get in contact with the always-exceptional Essential Tech team here.  

Step 4: Communicate With Your IT Provider 

 Okay, here’s the hard part. It’s time to tell your current IT provider that you are moving on to someone new. Yes, you can definitely pull out the old “it’s not you, it’s me” line here. While this might seem like an obvious step, getting this done early will actually make the process of changing providers a lot smoother. Brisbane’s IT community is very close knit and the sooner you let your current provider know you are changing services, the sooner your new provider can begin to communicate with them on the best way to complete the transition without disrupting your service. Trust us on this one, you’ll thank us later. 

Step 5: Be Patient 

 And finally, the all important step. The old adage that patience is a virtue has never been more true than when changing IT provider. A successful changeover of IT services can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to fully complete, meaning that you’ll have to be patient for just a little while longer. But the good news is that once you’ve successfully changed providers, you’ll be provided with service that puts a spring in your step and an IT provider who’s there to support you as you grow. Now that sounds like something worth the wait.  

 Okay, okay, you’re convinced; maybe changing IT providers isn’t as hard as you thought. Did you know that Essential Tech can help you make the process even easier by providing step-by-step guidance from start to finish? All you have to do is get in touch on 1800 384 768 or by clicking here. Go on, what are you waiting for.