Your Guide to an Effortless MSP Transition When it comes to switching Managed Service Providers (MSPs), one of the biggest concerns is the onboarding process: how long it will take, how complex it will be, and what’s required. At AffinIT, we use a proven onboarding timeline (see end of post) based on client size and complexity to set clear expectations and ensure a smooth transition. Here’s how a strategic MSP transition should work and why it’s easier and smarter than you think. Defined Cutover Plans Eliminate the Guesswork Top-tier MSPs don’t “wing it.” They follow clear, structured onboarding playbooks that prioritize stability, speed, and accountability. View AffinIT’s onboarding guarantee below. here . A defined cutover date ensures everyone knows exactly when responsibility shifts, no confusion, no overlap. The incoming MSP handles the lift: system audits, access mapping, setup, and testing. Your internal team stays focused on day-to-day operations while the experts manage the switch behind the scenes. Important: Parallel support may sound safe, but in reality, it introduces complexity and confusion. A single, well-planned transition point with full accountability is always safer and smoother. Knowledge Transfer Is Now Smarter & Faster Gone are the days of manual documentation and guesswork. Modern MSPs use automation and toolsets to capture your environment accurately and fast: Discovery tools identify all devices, apps, and configurations within minutes. Network maps, credentials, and documentation are captured, standardized, and validated. Secure credential management systems make it easy to transfer access without compromising security. No more chasing spreadsheets or missing configurations; everything is accounted for and protected. Zero Disruption to Business Operations With the right MSP, switching happens in the background without disrupting your team. After-hours migrations and configuration changes ensure systems remain fully operational. Smart scheduling for updates like DNS changes or mail cutovers prevents service interruptions. You stay in the loop with status updates, milestone alerts, and a dedicated point of contact. A seamless transition means your staff won’t even notice the switch except for the improved service. Transition Costs Are Manageable and Often Offset Switching MSPs is an investment, but the cost of not switching is often much higher. Many MSPs offer incentives or partial coverage of onboarding fees. Introductory pricing or bundled services can reduce short-term costs. Use an ROI lens: How much are you losing each month in downtime, poor support, or unresolved risk? The long-term gain in stability, security, and responsiveness pays for itself quickly. Fast Turnaround, not a Drawn-Out Process Forget slow rollouts and drawn-out phased transitions. The best MSPs move quickly and confidently to get your systems under their management with minimal delay. Onboarding is typically completed within days or weeks depending on the size and complexity of the organization, rather than months. The team operates in defined sprints to rapidly achieve each onboarding milestone. A structured rollback plan is always prepared but is rarely required. Speed without shortcuts: that’s how you minimize risk and get better results faster. Common Issues We Find When Replacing MSPs We don’t just promise a smooth transition, we show you what’s lurking under the hood. Here are just a few critical issues we've uncovered during onboarding: Firewalls with expired licenses or no support 🚨 Risk: No security updates or hardware replacement coverage leaves your network exposed. No multifactor authentication (MFA) on Microsoft 365 🚨 Risk: High probability of email compromise; it's not a matter of if, but when. Weak or nonexistent password policies 🚨 Risk: Higher chance of breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance violations. Unsupported operating systems still in production 🚨 Risk: Vulnerable to exploits, compliance failures, and frequent instability. Wireless networks using shared passwords 🚨 Risk: Enables unauthorized access, offline password cracking, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The Bottom Line Switching MSPs isn’t a hassle; it’s a strategic move toward stability, security, and better service. With a defined process, smart tools, and a team that knows what they’re doing, the transition can be smooth, fast, and refreshingly pain-free. Ready to upgrade your IT support? Let’s talk about what a better MSP experience looks like for your business. 👉 Schedule a FREE consultation with AffinIT . Onboarding Timeline Overview

Not having a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution leaves small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) exposed to risks and inefficiencies. Let’s break it down. Security risks can quickly spiral into disasters. Without MDM, lost or stolen devices like phones or laptops leave sensitive data vulnerable. Verizon's 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report shows 15% of breaches involve such incidents, and SMBs often lack the tools to remotely lock or wipe devices. Imagine an employee losing a phone with unencrypted access to your client database—without MDM, you can’t wipe it remotely. A Texas construction firm lost months of work and project bids for this exact reason. The malware threat is another major issue. Employees could download risky apps or use unsecured Wi-Fi, opening the door to ransomware or spyware. IBM’s 2021 Cost of a Data Breach Report estimates SMB breaches cost $2.98 million on average, often due to unmanaged devices. For instance, a retailer’s cashier downloads a shady app on a work phone, leading to ransomware that locks their point-of-sale system. The result? Two days of downtime, $15,000 in lost sales, and recovery fees. Compliance issues are another headache. Industries like healthcare or finance must meet strict data security standards like HIPAA or GDPR. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 70% of HIPAA violations stem from unencrypted devices—easily preventable with MDM. A small clinic faced a $50,000 fine after losing a laptop with patient records, an avoidable scenario if encryption was enforced. Productivity suffers without MDM. Employees waste time on outdated systems when updates or apps aren’t standardized. Frost & Sullivan’s research shows 68% of SMBs with BYOD setups see productivity boosts—if devices are managed. Picture a marketing agency where half the team’s phones miss updates. A buggy app crashes during a client deadline, wasting hours—or a sales rep loses a deal because their outdated tablet can’t load the latest pricing. Costs add up fast. Untracked data usage and lost devices bleed money. The 2022 Prey Mobile Theft & Loss Report shows employees are twice as likely to lose devices as have them stolen. Without MDM to cap usage or track devices, bills and replacements pile up. One catering business racked up $800 in overages because an employee binge-watched Netflix on a road gig. The UK Government’s 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey estimates average SMB incident costs at £4,200, with recovery often far pricier. Finally, operational chaos creeps in. Lack of oversight lets rogue devices slip through. The Ponemon Institute’s 2023 Cost of Insider Threats report finds 56% of insider incidents stem from poor device management, like ex-employees retaining network access. A small law firm discovered confidential case files leaked after an ex-employee’s laptop still had VPN access. MDM could’ve prevented it. These examples, backed by data from Verizon, IBM, HHS, Frost & Sullivan, Prey, and Ponemon, show the real cost of skipping MDM: data leaks, fines, downtime, and chaos—all risks that a proper MDM solution could avoid. Resources: 1. Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/T310/reports/2024-dbir-data-breach-investigations-report.pdf 2. IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021 htt ps:/ /newsroom.ibm.com/2021-07-28-IBM-Report-Cost-of-a-Data-Breach-Hits-Record-High-During-Pandemic 3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) https://www.hhs.gov/ 4. Frost & Sullivan Research https://www.frost.com/ 5. Prey Mobile Theft & Loss Report 2022 https://preyproject.com/blog/what-is-mobile-device-management-the-complete-guide 6. UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2023/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2023 7. Ponemon Institute 2023 Cost of Insider Threats https://www.ponemon.org/

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are leaning more than ever on mobile devices to get work done, connect with customers, and keep operations running smoothly. According to IDC’s 2022 World SMB Survey , 59% of small and midsize companies said supporting mobile workers—including giving them remote access to key systems—is a priority. At the same time, 27% highlighted securely connecting remote workers to business systems as one of their biggest challenges. With smartphones, tablets, and even personal devices (hello, BYOD!) becoming essential tools for work, mobility has become the backbone of how businesses operate. But this reliance on mobile tech also brings its fair share of headaches—think security risks and management issues. That’s where Mobile Device Management (MDM) steps in to save the day. Why SMBs Need a Mobile Device Management Strategy Small and medium-sized businesses don’t have the big IT teams or fancy security setups that large enterprises do. That’s why having a solid mobile device management (MDM) strategy is so important. Without it, your business could be at risk of data breaches, lost sensitive information, compliance issues, and even lower productivity. Verizon’s 2023 Mobile Security Index found that nearly 45% of businesses experienced a mobile device security issue—pretty alarming, right? Managing mobile devices isn’t just nice to have anymore—it’s a must for keeping your business secure and running smoothly. Common Challenges SMBs Face Without MDM SMBs that lack a structured approach to mobile device management often encounter several pain points, such as: Security Vulnerabilities: Unsecured devices can become easy targets for cybercriminals, leading to data breaches and financial losses (Ponemon Institute, 2023) . Lost or Stolen Devices: When an employee loses a device, company data is at risk without remote management capabilities. Compliance Issues: Industries with strict regulations (e.g., healthcare and finance) must ensure sensitive data is protected. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) , non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal consequences. Productivity Concerns: Unmanaged devices may lead to distractions, unauthorized app usage, and inefficiencies. IT Overload: Small IT teams struggle to manually configure, monitor, and secure an increasing number of mobile devices. How MDM Can Keep Your SMB Secure and Running Smoothly Managing all the mobile devices connected to your business can feel like a hassle, but Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions make it simple. Here’s how MDM can help your small or medium-sized business: Manage Devices Anywhere: IT teams can handle settings and security policies and even wipe lost or stolen devices—all remotely. No more scrambling! Stronger Security: With features like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and app controls, your business data stays protected. In fact, Gartner says MDM solutions can cut security breaches by 30%. Stay Compliant: MDM helps you follow industry regulations by enforcing the right security protocols—no headaches, just peace of mind. Boost Productivity: Employees get easy access to the tools they need without unnecessary distractions slowing them down. Save Money: Security breaches and data loss can cost big bucks. According to I BM's 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report the global average cost of a data breach has jumped 10% to $4.88 million. That’s a lot of money saved by staying secure! MDM isn’t just about security—it’s about making your business more efficient and future-ready. What You'll Learn in This Blog Series In this five-part blog series, we’re diving into everything you need to know about Mobile Device Management (MDM). Here’s what you can expect: 1. The Struggles of Not Having an MDM Solution – We’ll break down the risks and headaches businesses face without one. 2. Real SMB Success (and Horror) Stories – True stories of businesses that either thrived or struggled without MDM. 3. Tips for Getting Started with MDM – Simple, actionable advice to secure and manage your devices. 4. Picking the Perfect MDM Solution – A guide to finding the right fit for your business. 5. Growing Your MDM Strategy with Your Business– How to make sure your strategy scales as your business grows. Wrapping Up Mobile devices play a huge role in how SMBs operate today, but without a solid plan to manage them, you could be opening the door to security risks, data loss, and inefficiencies. That’s where an MDM strategy with AffinIT comes in—we will help keep things secure, compliant, and running smoothly. So stay tuned! In the next few weeks, we’ll dive deeper into Mobile Device Management and how it can help your business! In the meantime, contact us to start taking control of your mobile devices.