In today's fast-moving business climate, your Managed Services Provider (MSP) should be a growth enabler, not a bottleneck. Yet many organizations hesitate to switch providers—even when their current MSP consistently underdelivers—because of misconceptions and fears. To better understand the common myths about switching MSP providers, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. Below, we explore and bust seven myths that keep decision-makers locked into suboptimal IT relationships.
Myth 1: “I should wait until after my major project to switch.”
Many executives postpone switching their MSP until after they’ve navigated a large change (office relocation, cloud migration, merger, etc.). The thinking is that things are risky enough already—why introduce more complexity? In reality, if your MSP is failing to handle normal operations well, they’re unlikely to fare better during a critical transition. A more capable provider will help you plan and execute your change rather than mismanaging it. The sooner you engage a competent MSP, the safer your transformation will be.
Myth 2: “I don’t have time to manage a switch”
Admittedly, transitioning to a new MSP takes effort. But the cost of staying with an underperforming provider—lost productivity, hidden fees, security gaps—is often far greater over time. A good MSP will shoulder much of the burden: they’ll gather vendor credentials, audit your systems, map software licenses, and inventory assets. While you may spend a month or two in transition, that is an investment toward more dependable service for years.
Myth 3: “My current contract can’t be broken”
Contracts with termination clauses, renewal windows, automatic renewals, or early termination penalties can be intimidating. But they’re not insurmountable. Working with legal counsel and knowing your contract’s terms gives you leverage. If you’ve passed the notice period, evaluate whether paying a penalty is worth it compared to continuing with a provider who isn’t delivering. A prudent MSP switch plan will account for notice periods and any financial trade-offs.
Myth 4: “My existing provider won’t cooperate”
Switching MSPs can feel like a breakup—and sometimes there is resistance. However, most providers will cooperate to a reasonable degree, especially when you’re paying them to wind down gracefully. A professional outgoing MSP should provide the necessary data and remove access when no longer authorized. Meanwhile, your incoming MSP should understand how to coordinate the cutover, manage dependencies, and fill gaps during the handoff.
Myth 5: “Switching is a cybersecurity risk.”
Yes, handing over systems from one provider to another can expose security vulnerabilities. But a well-structured transition treats security as a priority, not an afterthought. Your new MSP must perform a full audit of the current cybersecurity posture, assign risk weights to each domain (firewalls, identity management, patching, endpoint defense, etc.), and remediate the highest threats first. This ensures continuity of protection even during the changeover.
Myth 6: “The new MSP won’t know my business as well.”
It’s true that your longstanding MSP likely has years of institutional memory about your systems, decisions, and preferences. But stagnation and complacency are often the roots of poor performance. A high-quality MSP will conduct a thorough audit of your technology stack—hardware, software, security, warranties, licenses—to get up to speed quickly. Equally important is the human side: an MSP partner must prioritize communication, relationship building, and cultural fit, assigning staff who truly invest in your success.
Myth 7: “I’ll just end up with more of the same problems”
Some organizations assume “new blood, same issues.” To guard against this, treat every potential MSP as you would a prospective vendor: ask direct, hard questions about their base-level services (What’s included? What’s not?), and examine any add-on fees. Check whether they provide flat-rate service models vs. hourly “break-fix” rates. A flat-rate model incentivizes proactive prevention; hourly models may encourage reactive firefighting and surprise invoicing. Choose an MSP whose fundamentals align with your needs and business goals, not one that slips you into a hidden charge structure.
Best Practices for a Smooth MSP Transition
A successful managed IT service provider transition depends on careful planning, clear communication, and prioritizing security at every stage. Follow these best practices to ensure a seamless experience:
- Define clear success criteria up front. Understand your must-haves (e.g., security, support response times, onsite backup) so you can measure whether the new MSP is delivering.
- Demarcate responsibilities during transition. Explicitly assign who handles data export, licensing transfers, firewall rule migration, and vendor coordination.
- Run in parallel for a time. Maintain your old MSP’s service while your new one steps in quietly, reducing downtime and ensuring a fallback.
- Communicate with stakeholders. Let your leadership, staff, and vendors know about schedule windows, expected cutovers, and escalation paths.
- Document lessons learned. After the transition, debrief on what worked and what didn’t to continuously improve future IT transitions.
Conclusion
Switching MSPs can feel risky—but so is staying stuck in a partnership that underdelivers. These seven myths often keep organizations in place long after they should have moved. By thoughtfully evaluating contracts, prioritizing security, and choosing a partner with transparent, value-driven services, you can step into a healthier, more strategic technology future. Making the right decision when switching to a new MSP provider can transform your IT operations and align them with your business aspirations.