I've recently taken on the responsibility of managing a small in-house IT environment with around 120 users after the previous management team transitioned from a Managed Service Provider (MSP). This is a new experience for me, as my background has solely been with MSPs. I'm looking for advice on how to effectively transition the MSP's tools, such as remote software, antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and email security systems to our in-house setup. Are there specific marketplaces for these software and hardware purchases, or should I just research and reach out to reputable vendors directly? I want to ensure I have a solid transition plan in place before jumping into this new role.
4 Answers
You have a couple of options here. If you like the tools the MSP used, you can continue with them by just purchasing the licenses and manage everything yourself, assuming they grant you access to their portals. Alternatively, you might want to look for those same tools directly through vendors and set them up yourself.
I wouldn’t expect to directly transition every tool from the MSP. It's smarter to create a shopping list of what you need and look for ways to consolidate vendors as much as possible. Microsoft has solutions that cover most bases; just ensure you set them up with the right licenses. Simplifying your toolset will make your job easier, especially when resources are limited.
When I took over from an MSP, I learned not to rush changes. Use their services for a bit to understand how everything works before making any big decisions. GraduallyTransitioning away helped me negotiate better prices over time. We still kept some connections with the MSP for occasional coverage, even though they eventually dropped us because of low spending.
It’s doubtful you'll directly transition MSP-specific tools, but you can find equivalent products for your needs. For example, a subscription to Ninja RMM could work well for remote management. Just keep the conversation open with your MSP; they might allow you to maintain some products that give you time to switch over.
Exactly! We maintained some management tools through an MSP for added support. It’s good to have external help available, especially for 24/7 coverage.