Break Fix vs. Managed IT Services
There was a time when the only thing businesses knew was ”Break Fix”. If something were to break, then you would fix it. That is how things would go. However, this was not always the best route to take. When it comes to your technology, your business or organization needs things to work at all times — you do not want to be a part of a continuous Break Fix rollercoaster. If you continue on this rollercoaster, you will experience a significant amount of downtime, lost opportunities, and plenty of frustrations.
Unfortunately, this is the type of cycle that many businesses and organizations find themselves in the middle of. Some businesses and organizations do not believe there are any other options. There are some businesses and organizations that are aware of the cycle they are in the middle of, but they are not aware of how impactful this cycle can be to their business operations.
While many businesses and organizations have based their operations on the Break-Fix model, there are other alternatives — managed IT services. Under the managed IT services option, things do not have to be broken to be fixed. Managed IT Services is not a reactive solution, it is a proactive solution. Managed IT services solutions set out to ensure breakdowns and failures do not happen by performing consistent network monitoring and hardware maintenance. The Managed IT Services solution can help businesses and organizations of all sizes in all industries, helping each one avoid significant downtime and frustration.
Break-Fix vs. Managed IT Services
It is not difficult to determine why some businesses and organizations will prefer the Break-Fix model. Many businesses feel they do not need 24/7/365 network monitoring or hardware maintenance. They feel it will be too costly to focus on future problems, and therefore, prefer to remain under the Break-Fix model.
In a Break-Fix framework:
- A problem comes to light
- Someone contacts the IT service provider to report the recently discovered problem
- The IT service provider send a technician to the workplace to resolve the problem or the problem is addressed remotely
- The technician identifies the problem, diagnosis it, and resolves it
- The IT service provider sends you a bill for the services rendered
Many businesses and organizations prefer to use the Break-Fix model because they feel it is the best way to cut costs. Unfortunately, no business or organization will know when problems will arise, and it is not easy to determine what the financial impact will be when problems will arise.
What are the disadvantages of the Break-Fix model?
Unpredictable costs
Under the Break-Fix model, there are no monthly fees and this means there will not be a budget for monthly IT expenses or contracts. As a result, unforeseen issues will surface and the cost to resolve these issues can come as a surprise. When equipment breaks down, you are no longer thinking about saving money, instead, you are thinking about what you can do to ensure your operations are running as quickly as possible. Since you are looking to get your operations up and running again, you will likely not spend time obtaining multiple quotes from providers. When you are faced with an emergency, you may not have time to ensure you are getting the best price for the services that are receiving.
Increased downtime
When your business or organization cuts costs on network and monitoring solutions, the chances of your business experienced prolonged downtime will increase. When you receive services under the Break-Fix model, there will not be a service level agreement in place, so there will not be a guarantee that you will receive the support you need in time. While services will be restored, there will not be any measures in place that will prevent these issues from happening again.
Reduced productivity
When your business or organization lacks the proper IT support, one or more of your employees will take on the role of becoming an IT specialist or expert. However, this will take time away from their regular daily responsibilities. While this may seem like a practical method, the time this will take away from someone else’s main responsibilities can be damaging.
Managed IT Services
A Managed IT Services solution is one where the IT networks are consistently monitored by a third party. The third party will be responsible for mitigating minor and major risks before problems arise. The Managed IT services model is billed on a monthly basis and is considered a proactive method, unlike the break-fix model which is viewed as a reactive method.
One of the major advantages a Managed Services Provider can offer a business or organization is predictability. When paying for an MSPs services, your technology and equipment will be monitored and maintained on a consistent basis. Your business or organization will also be equipped with the latest technologies and solutions. With an MSP on your side, you will have the ability to easily expand your business when the time is right. You will not have to worry about bringing in additional team members because your MSP will ensure you have the solutions and technologies you need to scale your business.
In a Managed IT Services framework:
- A problem comes to light
- The monitoring solution will alert the MSP that there is a problem
- The problem will be diagnosed without an employee making a call or filing a report
- The problem is identified and fixed
Transitioning from Break-Fix to Managed IT Services
We understand how difficult it can be for clients who are accustomed to reactive services to make the switch to managed IT services. This transition will require a major shift within a business or organization, which can be a struggle for those who have been comfortable with their break-fix solutions. However, many businesses and organizations have immediately noticed the benefits of using a managed IT services model, and the benefits of Managed IT services have certainly outweighed the process it took to get there.
With our managed IT services, we take a proactive approach to resolving issues before they occur to ensure the functionality of your systems. For more information on our Managed IT services platform, contact Rea & Associates today. We would love to talk to you.
