Break/fix versus managed IT services aren’t mutually exclusive. Find out the pros and cons of each and what to look for when choosing the right model for your company.
Managed IT and break/fix services play a vital role among IT business support. While many small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) still prefer to only use break/fix when they require specific IT assistance, over the last few years, many more organizations have moved to fully outsourcing their IT support; in fact, the managed services industry has grown so rapidly over the last few year that it is projected to hit $274 billion USD globally by 2026, from $152.02 billion USD in 2020.
But how do you know which is the best model for you and your business? Take a look at the pros and cons of each service to weigh them against what you need to thrive in your field.
What are break/fix services?
As the name implies, break/fix services are used when businesses only call on professional IT companies only when repairs or upgrades are required. Break/fix service providers charge on an hourly basis, and they usually do not commit to a service-lever agreement (SLA). Once the job they have been called in for is completed, business between the two companies is finished.
While companies have started to move away from using break/fix to manage their IT needs and issues, the model can be beneficial for smaller companies that cannot factor a flat monthly IT support fee into their budget, or businesses that do not require the services of full-time remote monitoring and maintenance IT support. It entirely depends on the needs and in-house infrastructure of individual businesses.
Pros of break/fix services:
Businesses only pay for services they need, rather than a flat monthly fee covering services they do not require. This can save money for businesses that use less IT in their day-to-day tasks.
The in-house management is able to have the final say on what happens with their IT software and hardware, and doesn’t have to put their trust in an outside party when relinquishing control of their data and systems.
Cons of break/fix services:
If something goes wrong with your IT, you are forced to pay an out-of-pocket expense outside your monthly budget.
Break/fix services will only fix the problem you are paying for, without providing any ongoing solutions to stop it happening again.
Your system and server will be down while you search for a technician, contact them, and wait for them to respond, costing your staff and clients valuable time.
Since the work is billed hourly, clients are likely to choose quick, short-term solutions over longer-lasting but more intensive solutions.
What are managed services?
Managed service providers (MSPs) offer more holistic IT support; the terms and conditions are detailed in and agreed to in an SLA, and usually includes remote proactive monitoring and maintenance of the client’s IT system and servers. The client pays a flat monthly fee for these services, and the MSP will usually customize the IT support package towards the client’s specific IT needs.
Pros of managed services:
- Predictable cost: with a flat fee agreed upon, businesses do not have to worry that they may have to pay an unexpected, out-of-pocket expense if something goes wrong with their IT systems.
- Very little downtime: most MSPs offer 24/7 service and response time, meaning if something goes wrong with your IT server or system, they’re on the job almost immediately to get you back up and running.
- Updates and upgrades: IT software and hardware is expensive. With an MSP taking care of your updates and upgrades, not only can you be certain the infrastructure is top-of-the-range, it’s exactly what you need for your business.
- Specialized experts: whether you require advanced cybersecurity or cloud management, MSPs have a team full of IT experts in all fields, saving you precious time and resources.
- Long-term partners: it’s in an MSP’s best interest that your systems and servers are running at peak performance at all times. They’ll work alongside you to understand your business and boost your performance and efficiency.
Cons of managed services:
- Loss of full control: MSPs will have full access to your system and you will have to put a lot of trust in them. Some business owners find it difficult to relinquish the full control of their IT house.
- Initial set-up costs: MSPs carry higher up-front expenses than break/fix models, due to the fact that they will to integrate their off-premise network monitoring tech and such with your on-premise equipment.
So what’s right for you?
Choosing between break/fix services or managed IT providers will largely come down to the specific needs of your business and what you can logically budget for. These days, many managed service providers offer break/fix services alongside their full-time IT support.
However, when looking at the pros and cons of both models, fully outsourcing your IT support to an MSP is well worth the extra expense. If you’re looking to outsource any – or all – of your IT support, talk to the experts at Technology Solutions today and find out how they can help you outpace the competition.
I like that you talked about how IT jobs would be able to get your processes up and running again letting you have no downtime. I can imagine how business owners would be able to benefit from this kind of service. It would be more important these times because most of the transactions now are done online, since people would feel safer to order online than go out these days.
It is really great and nice article and it is informative.