Switching IT providers does not have to be painful — but it does require a plan. In our experience, the vast majority of transitions are completed within 30 days for small and mid-sized businesses across Peoria and Central Illinois. The only time it runs longer is when there are separate projects or migrations (server replacements, large M365/email moves, major network rebuilds, etc.).
The key is choosing a new partner who manages the handoff methodically, communicates what’s happening at every step, and takes ownership of the messy parts so your team stays productive.
Quick Answer: What should I expect when switching IT providers?
- Security and helpdesk can start fast — protections can be put in place early, and support can begin right away.
- Most transitions finish in under 30 days (projects/migrations can extend the timeline).
- Facet works with your current provider to collect what we need—most businesses don’t have to do much legwork.
Why Do Businesses Switch IT Providers?
Most companies don’t switch because of a single disaster. They switch because of a pattern. Maybe tickets take too long to close. Maybe the same problem keeps coming back. Maybe your provider can’t explain what they’re doing to protect your data, or they surprise you with bills you didn’t expect.
And switching is common: in a 2025 global survey of 2,000 senior IT/security decision-makers, only 2% said they couldn’t imagine switching to another provider, and 45% said they would consider switching if they can’t see evidence of skills/expertise and 24/7 security support.
Other common reasons businesses in Central Illinois make the switch include outgrowing a solo IT freelancer, needing stronger cybersecurity after a scare, or realizing their current provider doesn’t understand compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI, CMMC).
What Should I Do Before Switching IT Providers?
Before you switch, you don’t need to spend days gathering documents or doing homework. Facet typically works directly with your existing provider to collect what we need after the switch, or we start from scratch or go directly to vendors like Microsoft. Most of the time, we don’t require much from you.
Here are the only “do this first” items we recommend:
Review your current contract. Check cancellation terms, notice periods, and any early termination language. Some agreements can’t be canceled (even with notice) without penalties—it’s better to know that upfront.
Write down what’s not working. Be specific. “IT is slow” is less helpful than “our billing software crashes twice a week and nobody has fixed the root cause.”
This list also matters for another reason: if you ever need to terminate a contract for non-performance, having clear examples can help—especially when the issue is cybersecurity (e.g., promised protections weren’t implemented, monitoring wasn’t happening, incidents weren’t handled appropriately).
What Happens During an IT Provider Transition?
A good IT partner will own the transition for you. At Facet Technologies, our onboarding follows a structured process designed to minimize disruption to your team — and in most cases, we complete it in under 30 days.
Onboarding process (Facet)
Step 1 — Discovery call and fit check. We learn your environment, priorities, and what’s not working. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so early.
Step 2 — On-site assessment. A Facet technician visits your location in the Peoria area to see your network firsthand. We document the essentials and identify any urgent risks.
Step 3 — Strategy and remediation plan. We build a prioritized plan: what must be addressed immediately vs. what can be scheduled. Everything is transparent.
Step 4 — Access + coordination with the outgoing provider. This usually isn’t dramatic. Most providers are cooperative during transitions, and we’ve worked with many companies through this process.
On the rare occasions information gets delayed, it’s often tied to billing (e.g., unpaid invoices). Otherwise, transitions typically go smoothly.
Step 5 — Security hardening and monitoring activation (no gaps). We follow best practices and coordinate with your existing provider so protections remain continuous. Sometimes that means not “doubling up” on overlapping security tools during the handoff.
Step 6 — “Getting started” helpdesk setup + authorized contacts. We introduce your team to our in-house helpdesk in Peoria and confirm who is authorized to make service requests (could be everyone, or just a few designated contacts). This keeps requests secure, organized, and aligned with how your business operates.
Step 7 — Post-onboarding review (around 30 days). We meet with leadership to review how things went, handle lingering items, and confirm the plan forward.
Timing note: We onboard managed services fast—always under 30 days for the core onboarding. If there are separate migrations or projects, those are scheduled as their own timelines, but security and helpdesk support can begin quickly without a drawn-out process.
How Long Does It Take to Switch IT Providers?
Most transitions are completed within 30 days.
What can extend the timeline is not “onboarding”—it’s additional projects (migrations, major redesigns, hardware refreshes, complex legacy apps, multi-site changes).
Factors that affect timing:
- Environment complexity (multi-location, on-prem servers, legacy apps)
- Project scope (email/server migrations, firewall swaps, etc.)
- Coordination speed with vendors/outgoing provider (usually smooth if billing is current)
What Are the Biggest Risks When Switching MSPs?
The risks are real, but completely manageable with the right approach.
Downtime during the handoff. ITIC’s 2024 downtime research found over 90% of mid-size and large enterprises estimate a single hour of downtime exceeds $300,000. That’s why we plan changes in stages and communicate clearly.
Lost access or incomplete documentation. If the outgoing provider’s records are thin, we verify and rebuild what’s needed.
Security gaps between providers. We coordinate tool transitions so there’s no exposure window, and we avoid redundant overlapping tools where it creates noise or risk.
Surprise projects. We reduce surprises by doing an on-site assessment before finalizing the plan.
What If My Current IT Provider Won’t Cooperate?
It happens, but it’s not the norm. The positive reality: most transitions go smoothly, and providers typically cooperate—especially when billing is current.
If a provider is slow, unresponsive, or adversarial:
- You still own your data and your accounts
- We work vendor channels (Microsoft, domain/DNS registrars, security vendors) to restore access
- We can rebuild documentation if needed
This can add time, but it’s something we’ve handled many times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to switch IT providers?
Most businesses complete the transition in under 30 days. The only time it takes longer is when there are separate projects or migrations (like major Microsoft 365 moves, server replacements, firewall swaps, or multi-site redesigns). Core onboarding, security, and helpdesk support can start quickly.
Will my team experience downtime during the switch?
Not if the transition is planned properly. We schedule changes in stages, communicate what’s happening, and coordinate the handoff so your team stays productive. Major changes can be done after-hours when appropriate.
Do I need to gather documentation and passwords before I call a new provider?
No, although it can speed up the transition process. We don’t require you to do a bunch of homework. In most transitions, Facet works with your existing provider to collect what we need. Most of the time, we don’t require much from you. However, if you are terminating a contract due to non-performance, you may have to have evidence of that on hand.
What should I check in my current contract before switching?
Look for your notice period, cancellation terms, and any early termination penalties. Some agreements can’t be canceled (even with notice) without fees. It’s better to know the options before you start the process.
Why should I write down what’s not working with my current provider?
Because it helps your new provider prioritize what matters — and if you ever need to end a contract due to non-performance, having specific examples can help support that case, especially with cybersecurity (e.g., protections promised but not implemented).
What if my current IT provider won’t cooperate?
It can happen. The good news: most providers are cooperative, especially when billing is current. If a provider is unresponsive or adversarial, we have a playbook for vendor recovery, password resets, and rebuilding documentation as needed. It can add time, but it’s completely manageable, and we have done it many times.
Will there be a security gap between providers?
No — we follow best practices and coordinate with the outgoing provider to avoid gaps. Sometimes that also means not doubling up on overlapping security tools during the handoff.
How fast can you start supporting our users (helpdesk)?
Very quickly. We can begin helpdesk support early in the transition once access is established — you don’t have to wait for every long-term project or migration to be completed.
Who is allowed to submit support requests after we switch?
We’ll confirm your authorized contacts during onboarding. That might be everyone, or it might be a smaller set of designated people — whatever fits your business and keeps requests secure and organized.
How much does it cost to switch IT providers?
The transition itself is part of Facet’s onboarding process — there’s no separate “switching fee.” If your network needs immediate remediation work (outdated firewalls, missing backups, security gaps), those projects are quoted transparently before any work begins.
Do I need to tell my current provider I’m switching?
Check your current contract for notice requirements. Some agreements require 30 to 60 days’ notice. We recommend reviewing your contract terms before beginning the transition process, and our team can help you understand what to watch for.
Does Facet Technologies serve businesses outside of Peoria?
Yes. While our headquarters and helpdesk are in Peoria, we serve businesses across Central Illinois, including multi-location companies with offices in surrounding areas. Our on-site support covers the region, and our remote monitoring runs 24/7.
What size business is Facet Technologies best suited for?
Facet Technologies works best with businesses that have between 20 and 250 employees, typically across one to five locations. We serve companies in manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, agriculture, and government that need a full IT department or co-managed support alongside their internal team.
Ready to talk about what a transition would look like for your business? We’re happy to walk you through the process — whether you end up working with us or not.
Request a Consultation
Ellie Shaw is the Director of Marketing at Facet and the author of Cyber Treats, Facet's biweekly newsletter featuring topics like IT news, cybersecurity updates, compliance advice, and anything tech. She has been a member of the Facet team full-time since 2016 and enjoys finding new ways to share resources and information about cybersecurity with others.