As an MSP, you know how quickly your technology portfolio can grow. A different vendor for every IT function, a new tool for every client request. Before you know it, you’re managing and maintaining dozens of different systems and relationships. In times of staff shortages, this proliferation of technology partners puts unnecessary pressure on your organization and your margins.
The Hidden Costs of a Fragmented IT Landscape
While it may seem logical to choose the best solution for each specific problem, these point solutions have a downside. They make your vendor stack unnecessarily complex. Your team needs to dive into more and more different systems. This not only takes time but also requires additional expertise and skills.
With the current labor market shortage, that’s a luxury you can’t afford. The more vendors you have, the more expertise you need. And that expertise is both scarce and expensive.
A fragmented technology ecosystem leads to higher license costs and duplicate functionality. You spend more time on vendor management and need to maintain more complex integrations between systems. It also increases security risks as more weak spots can emerge. New employees need longer onboarding periods to master all the different systems. And all this while you often use only a fraction of the available functionalities.
Why Analyzing Your Technology Stack Matters More Than Ever
A well-thought-out vendor stack starts with a thorough analysis of your IT supplier landscape. With the rapid growth of cloud solutions and technological developments, it’s easier than ever to add new tools to your stack. But that’s exactly why a critical view is more important than ever.
Take workplace management, for example. Many MSPs use different tools for identity management, device management, and security. Each system requires its own expertise, has its own updates, and needs specific monitoring. These systems often aren’t aligned, leading to poor collaboration. By mapping these systems, you often discover that smarter, more integrated solutions are possible.
Take a critical look at your current vendors and tools:
• Which systems overlap in functionality?
• How well do different solutions work together?
• How much time does each system’s management require?
• What knowledge do you have in-house and what are you missing?
• What are the total costs per vendor, including management and training?
This analysis shows you where you can optimize. Fewer different systems means not only less management overhead but also less knowledge your team needs to maintain. Moreover, a thorough analysis helps you make future-oriented choices. Which technologies fit your customers and target group? Which partners can grow with you?
From Analysis to a Streamlined Partner Network
Start by mapping your customers’ core needs. Look for technology partners who can provide broad, integrated solutions rather than standalone functionalities. Partners who have a clear vision for the future and roadmap, and are willing to think along with your specific challenges. They should have proven experience in your sector and actively invest in integrations with other platforms.
Wortell, a leading Dutch MSP, successfully applies this approach. “For us, it wasn’t just about the technical-functional aspect,” says Franck van Diest, Portfolio Development at Wortell. “We wanted partners with a clear roadmap who are willing to collaborate on new functionalities.”
Think Long-Term
Adding a new vendor to your technology stack is easily done. But removing an IT supplier from your ecosystem? That’s much more challenging. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about the long-term impact of your choices.
Are you choosing a collection of separate tools or an integrated platform? That choice has major implications for your organization. A central platform like Ydentic helps streamline management, allowing you to work with fewer different tools and interfaces. This not only reduces complexity but also ensures a better user experience for your team.
The Benefits of a Streamlined Vendor Stack
A well-thought-out vendor portfolio lowers your operational costs through reduced management work. Your new employees get up to speed faster, and your security improves with fewer different systems. Your team works more efficiently together and has more time for strategic projects. All this leads to increased customer satisfaction through faster service.
Start Simplifying Today
A thorough analysis of your technology ecosystem takes time. But that investment pays off many times over. The fewer different systems you use, the more efficiently you can work. And that’s exactly what you need in a time when qualified personnel is scarce.
Start small. Choose one area where you want to reduce complexity. Analyze which tools you’re currently using and whether that can be done more efficiently. You’ll often quickly discover where the first gains can be made.
Want to discuss optimizing your vendor stack? Or curious about how other MSPs approach this? Get in touch with us. We’re happy to share our experiences and think along with you about the best approach for your organization.
