Break/Fix vs. Managed Services: What You Need to Know
The first step to overpowering IT challenges is to ask the right questions. When you first start your journey, words like "Break/Fix" and "Managed Service Provider" (MSP) might seem foreign to you. Understanding these concepts is essential to satisfying your business's IT needs.
Break/Fix or Supplemental IT
Break/Fix IT support, sometimes referred to as 'supplemental IT', is the reactive approach. When a problem develops, you reach out to your IT provider to resolve it, whether remotely or through an on-site visit. You break it, they fix it. This approach means it is up to you to determine when to consult with your IT team about larger ongoing issues, like server/network deployments, device replacements, software adoption, etc.
This approach, being pay-as-you-go, is the ideal model for many businesses and organizations, especially if your IT needs are not consistent. It keeps your costs minimal and on an as-needed basis.
However, this approach is not without its disadvantages. Being reactionary means potential issues are only caught when they are affecting your bottom line, rather than being prevented. It also means your organization's IT planning is entirely in your hands, making you responsible for taking initiative on IT changes and maintenance. Finally, break/fix support can be more expensive in the long run, if issues aren't monitored and proactively prevented, or if your costs due to a fluke outage spike above what you would pay for a managed service contract.
Managed Services
There are two alternatives to break/fix IT support: in-house IT and managed (or outsourced) IT. Staffing a single IT administrator can be difficult and risky; without familiarity with the industry it can be difficult to understand job requirements, what quality work looks like, or how to managed them. For many organizations, it is more cost effective and comfortable to outsource their IT work to a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP).
Through managed services you have access to an entire team of experienced IT experts for a fraction of the cost. With managed services your IT support is proactive, not just reactive. Similar to having a personal trainer for your IT, an MSP repeatedly oversees and supports your IT framework. They diagnose hidden issues early and act before they worsen. They inform you of best practices, potential issues, and a handful of additional benefits:
Set Monthly Charges
One dominant benefit of managed services is their fixed monthly cost. Most MSPs run on a subscription model, which allows users to budget effectively and access a range of services, from basic upkeep to the most advanced level of cybersecurity and data protection.
Complete Care
Managed services focus on many IT needs, including catastrophic recovery, network authority, data backups, and security updates. Working with an MSP lets you rest easy knowing your systems are being managed. Call your MSP for support and avoid paying for unexpected repairs if issues arise.
Strategic Partnership
MSPs help businesses resolve headaches and coordinate their IT strategy with vast company goals. Through their wisdom in vital planning and technological breakthroughs, they will help you use your technology to gain a competitive advantage.
Drawbacks to Managed Services
Managed services obviously have many benefits over break/fix, but what is the catch? If your IT needs aren't consistent, you are not likely to make the most of your prescribed monthly hours. Some MSPs offer rollover hours to counter this, but not all. Additionally, managed services can be a higher level of overhead for your leadership, with more communication and decision making required. Finally, industry standard cybersecurity and data recovery practices can be burdensome to organizations who aren't willing to adjust to new methods or software.
How to Make the Right Choice
When deciding between break/fix or managed services, there are three key issues to focus on: the cost, the complexity, and the frequency. As we've discussed, both break/fix and managed services can be more expensive or save you money, so understanding how your costs relate to the frequency of your IT needs is important to draw a distinction. If you infrequently need IT assistance, break/fix may make more sense.
It is possible to find an appropriate balance of the benefits of both. For some companies, they rely on an MSP to provide them with antivirus and data backup options, but are break/fix for other issues. For some companies, they may sign a managed services contract for a short period when they know they will have high demand for IT work, and then cancel their contract once that period has ended. Discussing with your prospective IT provider is crucial to finding the solution that best fits you.
In conclusion, Break/Fix and Managed Services have advantages and disadvantages. While Break/Fix is reactive and may result in unanticipated costs, managed services offer a proactive, comprehensive approach to IT administration that minimizes surprises and disruptions. Knowing these differences will help you manage your IT resources more effectively. The ultimate goal is to keep your technology operating flawlessly so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Questions?
Abstract makes a concerted effort to find the best options for you and your business. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. You are also welcome to sign up for our complimentary network evaluation, where we will assess your network and IT needs and provide a free consultation with our findings. We prioritize finding the most significant solutions that fit your demands and budget; we won't pressure you into unnecessary services. If you have any questions or concerns, kindly get in touch with us today!