IT Services Buyer’s Guide 2026
An easy-to-follow guide to choosing a new IT support partner. Discover what to look for, what to beware of and the right questions to ask, written by Yann Davies, Managing Director of ABCOM.
- 11 chapters
- Opens straight away, no form
- NCSC Assured Service Provider
- Since 1996
10 reasons businesses switch
From poor communication and slow fixes to “sorry, we don’t cover that”. The warning signs to look out for. Tick any that sound like your IT support company.
0of 10 warning signs
Tick any that sound familiar.
Get the free guideFive questions to ask any IT support company
Anyone can call themselves an IT support company. These five questions tell you the most about a potential partner, and the guide explains what a good answer sounds like.
How quickly will problems be fixed?
What to listen forHow long will it take to acknowledge your issue in the first place? How long do they expect it’ll take to get someone working on the problem? Can they tell you about the worst problem they’ve encountered and how they dealt with it?What do you do proactively, so my team has fewer interruptions?
What to listen forWill they be working away in the background, making the necessary checks to ensure that most of these little blips don’t arise? Can they assure you that most updates and maintenance will be done outside of working hours?Tell me about the specific people who’ll be looking after us.
What to listen forWill you always be speaking to the same person? What happens if that person is on holiday or ill? Who do you talk to if you’re not happy?Can you explain something deeply technical in a way I’ll understand?
What to listen forCan they explain a really complicated, technical process to you in a way that you can understand? Do they get frustrated if you ask too many questions? Do they brush you off with ‘you don’t need to know the technicalities of that’?How will you keep on top of the constant changes in my business?
What to listen forHow much do they need to know about these changes? Will it affect what they’re doing for you? It should. Look for a partner who is actively interested in the changes happening within your business.
What’s inside the guide
Eleven short chapters, written in plain English for business owners and managers, not IT people.
The 5 technology revolutions
AI, hybrid working, the cloud, the Internet of Things and cyber crime, and what each means for a business like yours.Chapter 2Your IT strategy
Why your IT strategy should sit alongside your business plan, with a technology roadmap and regular strategic reviews.Chapter 310 reasons businesses switch
From poor communication and slow fixes to “sorry, we don’t cover that”. The warning signs to look out for.Chapter 4Protecting your data
How ransomware gets in, why attackers wait weeks before striking, and the signs of a hacker in your network.Chapter 5Be sceptical of IT companies
IT support is unregulated. The five hard questions to ask any provider before you sign.Chapter 6What IT companies wish you knew
Monitoring and maintenance, the quality-speed-price triangle, and why outsourcing often beats hiring in-house.Chapter 7Help for your internal IT team
How co-managed IT support backs up your in-house people and protects the person responsible for IT.Chapters 8–9Clients and about ABCOM
What our clients say, and how ABCOM grew into an NCSC Assured managed service provider for Sussex and London.Chapters 10–11Your first 90 days
What happens when you switch: learning your business, fixing leftover problems and building your technology strategy.Get your free copy of the guide
Click the button and the PDF opens in your browser, ready to read or save. No spam, no pressure.
46 pages with plenty of visuals, so most people read it in under an hour.
Questions about the guide
Quick answers before you download.
Is the guide really free?
Yes. There’s no sign-up form and no obligation. Click the download button and the PDF opens in your browser, ready to read or save.
Who is the guide for?
Business owners, managers and charity leaders who are unhappy with their current IT support, or choosing an IT partner for the first time. No technical knowledge is needed.
How long does it take to read?
It’s 46 pages with plenty of visuals, so most people read it in under an hour. Each chapter stands on its own if you only want to dip in.
What should I do after reading it?
If you’d like to talk it through, book a free 15-minute video call with Yann or use the form below to request a free technology review.
Ready to transform your technology in Sussex?
Book a free technology review and discover how ABCOM can improve your security, empower your team and help your business achieve more with technology.
We respond to critical issues within 2 hours during business hours. 01444 871 200 · hello@abcom.co.uk · Get the free guide
- Comprehensive security vulnerability assessment
- Microsoft 365 optimisation review
- Clear roadmap with prioritised recommendations
- No pressure, no commitment required
More on choosing IT support
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