When small- to medium-sized businesses want to outsource their IT, there are two options available: managed IT or break fix services. Both services play an essential role in business IT support, but which one is the better solution? To answer that question, it’s important to understand the positives and negatives associated with each service. In this blog, we’ll discuss which one is the best choice for your business.
Break Fix Support vs. Managed Services
Before getting into the pros and cons associated with each service, let’s first define what break fix support and managed IT is. Break fix support refers to on-demand IT services where third-party IT professionals are called in to fix a problem when it’s needed. Managed IT, on the other hand, is provided by a vendor that manages the IT needs of a company.
Both solutions offer similar services and have the same end goal of addressing key IT concerns like repairs, installation, upgrades, and more. However, the way IT is approached is the main difference. In short, break fix support is more of a reactive take on IT, only being used after a problem happens. Whereas managed IT is proactive, where issues are addressed before they can develop into problems.
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The Pros and Cons of Break Fix Support
Break fix support is a very common form of IT support and is mostly used as a way to work around being unable to afford an in-house IT staff or supplement an internal IT department. Potential benefits that come with using the break fix support model include:
- No Monthly Fees or Contracts: Some businesses aren’t interested in signing a contract or planning out IT expenses every month. If your business has little need for IT, this is fine. However, if you rely on technology, even if only a little, it can be a gamble.
- Control: This model allows business owners to decide when they want help.
The disadvantages greatly outnumber the advantages, however. Here are a few of the cons:
- Downtime: The break fix support approach is time-consuming. The expert who is working on your network will need to take a moment to familiarize themselves with your infrastructure. The longer your network is down, the worse it is for your business. Every second of downtime costs your company money.
- Costs: Although you may not need to pay a monthly fee, you are paying for unforeseen costs. Even worse, it’s impossible to budget properly for surprise expenses. Finally, since you’re not taking preventive measures, more surprise costs are likely to spring up.
- Hidden Threats: Most IT problems start out as small, almost unnoticeable concerns and become larger issues over time. If you’re not taking a proactive approach to IT, it’s easy to be unaware of these problems until they become headaches.
The Pros and Cons of Managed IT
Managed IT is also a common form of IT support that’s great for supplementing already existing IT departments. In addition, it can be used as a full-service outsourced solution. This means business owners have access to an entire IT team for a fraction of the price of employing an in-house team. Some benefits include:
- 24/7 Monitoring: A managed service provider can keep tabs on your network at all times, catching issues as soon as they appear.
Helpdesk Support: If you run into a technical issue, an expert will always be there to troubleshoot the problem. - Cyber Security: If your network is in danger due to a cyber threat, the managed service provider will work with you to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.
- Predictable Costs: Having a monthly fee provides a predictable cost that you can budget for ahead of time.
The negatives are rather minor compared to break fix support. Some of the cons include:
- Monthly Fees: Most managed IT services come with the requirement of paying recurring monthly fees to continue receiving service.
- Trust: Entering into a partnership with a managed service provider requires some trust. You’re relying on a third-party vendor to maintain your technology ecosystem.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. No one understands the needs of your business better than you do. However, it’s agreed on by most IT professionals that the break fix support model is outdated and inefficient compared to managed IT. Not to mention, managed IT happens to be the more cost-effective option in the end.
Solve Your IT Needs With PCR Business Systems
At PCR Business Systems, we specialize in managed IT solutions. Our industry-leading services are comprehensive and designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of your business. Because every organization is unique, we tailor our solutions to meet the needs of your business. Our team can work as an extension of your internal IT staff or we can be your full-service solution.
If you’d like to learn more about our services, contact us today!
