Is your business growing? You might have noticed that, as your company scales up, its IT requirements also evolve. For this reason, selecting the right IT support model is increasingly important – the right model can help you manage these evolving IT needs, and there are a couple of main solutions to consider.
In our article, we will compare break/fix and managed IT service models in depth. We will help your business select the best option that works well for sustainable growth.
What is Break and Fix IT Support?
Break and fix IT support is best defined as a pay-per-incident IT service model. This service model typically offers small business IT support or support for startups that have one-time IT requirements and do not have a dedicated IT department. It can be ideal in a few specific scenarios, including the following:
Hardware failures – When hardware malfunctions, such as a hard drive or the power supply of a server, IT support companies that use a break-fix support model can repair these issues. They will diagnose the problem after it has taken place, then repair or replace the hardware, and test it to determine if it functions correctly.
Network issues – If a network fails to function, such as in scenarios where there is an outage, IT support that uses a break-fix model will diagnose the issue by checking the cables and routers. They will then check that the devices are getting enough power, consider specific issues such as the drivers or ethernet cables, and then repair them after the incident occurs.
Virus removal – In situations where there is a virus, IT support that uses a break-fix model will diagnose which virus the system has and assess the damage. Afterward, they will use antivirus software to scan and detect the virus, and quarantine any harmed files.
What Are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services are ongoing IT management support services. They function in a proactive way and are intended as preventative, long-term solutions offered as part of a subscription. Various services can be included in managed IT solutions, which include the following:
Monitoring – Managed IT services include monitoring, which sometimes consists of a provider that manages and constantly checks your IT infrastructure to ensure it’s performing optimally.
Security measures – These services provide cybersecurity support and enhanced security solutions alongside 24/7 monitoring, doing so with the help of firewall management or intrusion detection solutions to mitigate risks.
Backups – To ensure data security, managed IT services proactively schedule backups and restore data when required, assisting with disaster recovery and restoration processes. This service is offered alongside remote management through a central management console.
Help desk – A Canadian managed IT services provider will offer help desk services on a 24/7 basis to handle technical issues whenever an organization needs support that aligns with their business goals.
As mentioned, prevention is the main focus of managed IT services. Their 24/7 monitoring is offered with the intention of addressing potential issues before they escalate and disrupt operations.
Pros and Cons of Break and Fix IT Support
Do you need to determine if break and fix IT support is right for your organization? Consider the pros and cons of this service before you go ahead with it.
Pros of Break-Fix IT Support
With break-fix IT support, you’ll only need to pay for the service when your IT systems malfunction. You won’t face a monthly contract to receive the service, and there are no fixed costs to cover.
Cons of Break-Fix IT Support
But you may experience a few problems with break-fix IT support. Since systems are not monitored 24/7, you may find that you are unprepared when systems go offline. As a result, downtime can be longer and costly to fix.
You might also find that the reactive approach of break-fix IT support is not ideal for addressing potential security vulnerabilities, which may be difficult to fix when more damage is undetected and is not handled straightaway.
Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services
Alternatively, you might run a small or medium sized business SMB that requires a more comprehensive managed IT support solution. If you are considering this type of service, here are the pros and cons.
Pros of Managed IT Services
With managed IT services, you will have 24/7 system monitoring and issue prevention before malfunctions affect your IT systems. You will have predictable monthly costs, since this IT support model is a prescription model, meaning there will be fewer surprises when allocating your budget.
Managed IT services are also scalable and ideal for cybersecurity issues. When your company grows, and you choose managed IT services such as Tech Masters, your growing IT system will be protected by the IT support company, and against cybersecurity breaches.
Cons of Managed IT Services
Your organization will need to pay for an ongoing subscription if it chooses managed IT services. This cost may be difficult to account for as an SMB if you have a limited budget. And, at the same time, if you run a very small or static business, managed IT services might not be necessary.
Break-Fix or Managed IT: Which Is Best for Growing Businesses?
As your company grows, its scaled-up IT systems will require stable IT support. They will also need scalable IT solutions and support to protect them against cyberattacks or security breaches.
A break-fix IT support model cannot support the expansion of your business, since support is only offered when something malfunctions, and this reactive approach leads to downtime and less productivity for a growing business.
Break-fix IT models also cannot efficiently support remote teams since they do not typically offer a remote help desk as a core feature, and the reactive support offered may consist of poor communication in remote settings.
Managed IT, on the other hand, provides long-term value and fewer disruptions to your operations, making it an ideal model for expanding companies.
Cost Comparison: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Investment
While the costs of break-fix may initially be low, these expenses might become difficult to budget for when fixing multiple unpredictable issues. This means the cheaper up-front costs can significantly add up over time. For this reason, SMBs might find that a predictable monthly expense that comes with managed IT services is easier to handle.
Additionally, managed IT solutions such as Tech Masters ensure that downtime is reduced and data breaches are minimized thanks to continuous monitoring. This can support business growth by keeping your organization productive.
Select IT Support that Scales Up as Your Company Grows
While break-fix models are reactive solutions, managed IT services are proactive and offer customized solutions for expanding companies. If your small and medium sized business is growing, managed IT is the scalable option you need.
At Tech Masters, we offer reliable, scalable, secure, and remote-friendly managed IT solutions tailored to your business operations – they can help you manage your IT infrastructure as your business grows. If you need IT infrastructure support for your growing IT systems, contact Tech Masters. Our IT experts are ready to support your company and its IT needs.