When a business’s day-to-day processes are regularly stalled by inefficient information technology (IT) systems, it can result in poor operational performance and frustration. And when you consider that downtime can cost your business $5600 every minute, the negative impacts of IT issues can quickly put a dent in your company’s budget.
Break/fix and managed services are two common options for businesses. Both services are designed to help organizations overcome their IT challenges—but which one is the most cost-effective? This article will explore the argument of break/fix vs managed services and help you determine which option is the best fit for your business and budget.
What is the break/fix model?
Break/fix services consist of an IT technician visiting your place of business to fix any identified issues related to your IT solutions. This type of service charges customers by the hour and can also involve other expenses that cover resources the technician needed to complete their work.
With break/fix solutions, you do not lock yourself into a contract. Once the technician has finished their job, and your technology solutions are running smoothly again, they will leave with no obligation for ongoing maintenance.
What is the fully managed IT services model?
Fully managed IT services involve an IT provider—known as a managed services provider (MSP)—taking full responsibility for the proactive monitoring and upkeep of an organization’s IT solutions. Typically paid with a monthly fee, an MSP’s services are versatile and can be used by a range of companies, from local small businesses to large organizations. The scale of an MSP’s fully managed IT services is written down in a service-level agreement (SLA).
Managed services encompass the following services:
- Monitoring and management of IT systems
- Network security and data protection services
- Cloud services and management
- Disaster recovery planning
- IT consulting services
- And more
Break/fix vs managed services: Pros and cons
In order to choose the best support service for your technology systems, you need to be informed of the pros and cons of each solution. They are as follows:
- You retain greater control over your IT solutions: Break/fix providers only interact with your technology systems when you need them to. This can allow you to control how much contact an outsourced party has with your IT solutions.
- There are no contracts: The fee of service break/fix providers charge you is solely determined by the job at hand. You are not required to sign any contracts or dedicate a portion of your company's budget to ongoing services.
- There are no preventative measures: Providers do not offer solutions that can prevent the problem from occurring again, making break/fix a band-aid solution.
- Unknown lengths of downtime: As the break/fix provider will only travel to your location and begin work once the problem has been identified, you may have to put up with longer-than-expected downtimes.
- It can be hard to budget for: Since it charges customers by the hour (and only when IT problems surface), there is virtually no way of budgeting for break/fix effectively.
- Less productivity: When your technology systems experience issues, you and your team have to contend with them until the technician arrives. Any type of technical disruption can slow your business down.
- Break/fix is reactionary: Break/fix merely deals with issues as they appear. The responsibility of detecting problems with your technology systems lies with you and your team.
- Services are always in line with your needs: MSPs customize their IT solutions and services to meet client needs.
- Leverage preventative measures and support: Fully managed IT services will detect possible issues and solve them proactively. This minimizes the likelihood of network outages and saves expenses in the future.
- Greater adaptability: An MSP ensures your IT tools stay updated, helping your organization respond to sudden changes in the business landscape and market.
- Top-tier expertise in all areas of IT: Fully managed IT services offer access to technology experts who can assist with all aspects of your company's IT solutions and plans, from comparing cloud platforms to digital transformations. MSPs have the experience and knowledge to optimize your IT.
- Easier to budget for: The prices for fully managed IT services are unique to every client's needs, making them cost-effective.
- Setting up may be pricey: Organizations may have to pay upfront costs for the MSP to configure their tools to support the company's technology systems. These payments may be relatively higher compared to break/fix costs.
- Not as much ownership of IT solutions: While managed services can run alongside company IT teams (this is known as co-managed services), it is more likely that it will extend to cover most (if not all) of the responsibility of IT maintenance. This can result in you not having as much control over your network as before.
Break/fix services can be expensive due to longer response times and no preventative solutions. Although it can be helpful for occasional problems, investing in solutions that minimize IT issues is always the recommended, and cheapest, option.
Fully managed IT services are always aligned with your business’s budget and needs. At the same time, as an MSP’s services focus on reducing risks and responding to problems quickly, it can save you time and money in the long run.
Break/fix vs managed services? Ask leading IT professionals for advice
Technology systems need to be operational 24/7/365 to ensure your business stays competitive. Managed services offer this and more.
The managed services package at Davenport Group can maintain the security and performance of your IT solutions with expert care and attention. If you want a robust IT environment that will help your company scale up, talk to the team now.
