If you have ever managed multiple IT vendors, you know how quickly things can become complicated. One day, everything works as it should. The next, a small issue turns into a tangle of emails and support calls, with no clear resolution in sight. And often, no one wants to take full responsibility.
This is a classic dilemma of multiple technology vendors. The more vendors, the more complex things are. Your internal team may end up spending more time on vendor conversations than really fixing the technical issues.
What Happens When Everyone Is Responsible?
Let’s say your business experiences a network disruption. You call your internet service provider, and they tell you that the problem could be with your cloud platform. Your cloud service provider directs you to the firewall vendor. Your firewall vendor suggests you contact your managed services partner. By the time someone identifies the real issue, valuable time has been lost.
None of these vendors are trying to avoid responsibility. Each one is simply focused on their specific role. But when no one is guiding the process from start to finish, things fall through the cracks.
The Bigger Problem Behind the Scenes
The cause of this issue is not technical. It is structural. When vendor relationships are scattered across departments or managed ad hoc, there isn’t a single chain of command. This leads to:
- Slower response times
- Mixed messages
- Redundant troubleshooting
- Overloaded IT teams
The result is more time spent on coordination and less time spent on solving problems.
A More Effective Approach
To avoid these roadblocks, many companies are now turning to a centralized vendor management model. This means choosing a single point of contact to oversee all third-party vendor interactions. Whether this role is assigned internally or filled by a trusted IT service provider, the goal is to bring consistency and clarity.
With one person or team managing vendor communication, businesses often see:
- Faster problem resolution
- Fewer miscommunications
- More time for internal teams to focus on strategic work
Some organizations build this capability in-house. Others find value in working with a service provider who takes on coordination and oversight. The key is not who does it, but that someone does it.
Moving Forward with Clarity
Having multiple IT vendors is a reality of life for most growing companies. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be frustrating or time-consuming. By consolidating vendor relationships under one umbrella, organizations can cut through confusion and regain control.
It’s not about limiting your options. It’s about making those options work together in a way that serves your business, not work against it. If your team is spending more time managing vendors than managing IT, it might be time to rethink how those relationships are managed.
To learn more, download our use case: Simplified Vendor Management
Email us for more information at info@bradenit.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes managing multiple IT vendors difficult?
It often comes down to unclear roles and poor communication. When no one’s sure who’s responsible, things fall through the cracks.
How can we make vendors more accountable?
Set clear expectations from the start. Regular check-ins and tracking performance against agreed metrics help keep everyone aligned.
What’s the best way to communicate with different vendors?
Keep it simple. Use one point of contact and stick to consistent tools or channels so nothing gets lost in translation.
How do we know if a vendor is doing a good job?
Look at response times, how quickly problems get fixed, and whether they meet the terms you agreed on. Trust your team’s day-to-day experience too.
Should we think about reducing the number of vendors?
Sometimes, yes. Fewer vendors can mean fewer headaches, but make sure you’re not giving up essential expertise in the process.