{"id":69008,"date":"2023-07-24T10:37:09","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T14:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=69008"},"modified":"2023-08-30T08:42:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T12:42:05","slug":"defining-consolidation-for-msp-centralization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/defining-consolidation-for-msp-centralization","title":{"rendered":"The MSP’s Guide to IT Centralization: Defining Consolidation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This article is part three of a three-part blog series that expands upon our MSP\u2019s Guide to IT Centralization eBook. <\/em>Get your free copy today<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n IT tool sprawl is an all-too-common issue for MSPs, particularly those who had to evolve their systems quickly to support clients through the pandemic. But in order to give your clients the most streamlined, efficient user experience possible, you need a top-of-the-line, all-in-one tech stack. IT centralization is the path to those efficiencies. Centralization has many benefits for MSPs and their clients, including cost savings, a streamlined user (and management) experience, and an increase in client trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That may make sense in practice, but the actual act of centralization can feel daunting. That\u2019s why we put together this series to explain the three steps to IT centralization. So far, we\u2019ve covered identification<\/a> and incorporation<\/a>. Now, let\u2019s move on to the final step: consolidation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the final step in the IT centralization process, consolidation is the point where you remove your irrelevant or unnecessary tech solutions and begin fully leaning on your newly chosen core platform. By this point, you\u2019ve already chosen a core that fills in your current gaps, and you\u2019ve connected that core to your IT tools as well as your external business tools like your HR and sales platforms. All that\u2019s left is to remove the outdated platforms or applications your workforce should, at this point, no longer be using. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consolidation is truly the purpose of the entire centralization effort, because it\u2019s here when you get to remove the old platforms that you\u2019ll see your greatest cost and efficiency savings. With a newly consolidated, streamlined core, your user experience should be simpler than ever, and you should be confident that the only tools left in your stack are those that your company truly needs in order to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In many ways, consolidation is the simplest step of centralization, since it\u2019s just the act of officially phasing out, or turning \u201coff,\u201d your outdated and now unused applications. But these best practices will ensure your final step runs as smoothly as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our previous centralization steps have shown the importance of phasing your old tech out slowly and deliberately, and consolidation is no different. It\u2019s not enough to simply offer a better platform solution and take away the irrelevant versions. It\u2019s much more prudent to keep the legacy applications in play until you\u2019ve worked out all the kinks in your newer system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping the older applications throughout this process ensures that there is no downtime in productivity. In the event an issue arises that needs to be solved for before the new core can be fully functional, employees can still get their work done using the platforms they already have. This keeps frustrations low, and instills a more positive association with the new solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few weeks of using the new platforms, your help desk tickets should reduce significantly \u2013 that\u2019s how you know it\u2019s safe to begin consolidation. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Consolidation? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Consolidation Best Practices <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Work Out the Kinks, Then <\/em>Consolidate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n