Changing IT provider without disruption.
Moving your IT to a new provider is a decision that deserves care. We have handled many handovers since 2006, for small firms and large ones. This page explains what to think about first and how we do it.
Be clear about why
The usual reasons are slow responses, service levels missed, rigid support hours, no clear view of what you are paying for, a provider that has stopped suggesting anything new, or one the business has outgrown.
Check the exit
Read your current agreement for the notice period and the handover clause, and ask for the documentation and admin passwords to be handed over in writing. Where it helps, we work alongside your existing provider during the handover.
Five things to ask any provider
Do they invest in their own technology? Can you reach them out of hours? What are their backup and recovery plans for you? Do they monitor your systems or wait for the call? And do they understand your business as well as its computers?
Think about your people
A move affects staff more than systems. The aim is that nothing changes for them until it is ready, and that the day it changes, it works.
- A short assessment
An engineer looks at what you have, what is at risk and what the handover needs. No obligation.
- A written plan
Steps, dates, who does what, and what will not change. You see it before anything moves.
- One admin contact
You name one person as our contact. Through them we gather the rest: who your people are, what they use and who approves what.
- Access and documentation
We take over the admin, record everything and fix anything that would cause trouble during the move, with handover sessions with the outgoing provider or your in-house person.
- The handover
We deal with your old provider directly. Systems keep running; your staff carry on as normal.
- Go-live
Usually a weekend. Monday morning, the helpdesk is ours and everyone has the number.
- The first month
A check-in, the snag list closed, and the agreement adjusted if reality differs from the plan.
Tell us where you are.
A few lines is enough. An engineer will read it and reply during business hours.
Not sure yet?
The 60-second health check gives you a first reading without speaking to anyone.