The Benefits of Moving from Break/Fix to Managed IT Services

two people near a server

If your business still operates on a break/fix model, it may be time to consider transitioning to Managed IT Services (MIT), especially if you own a small business. The break/fix model is one in which you call an IT company to fix something after it breaks; think of this model as reactive. Conversely, an MIT model is a continuous, preventative system; think of this model as proactive.

Why Choose Managed IT Services?

Managed service business models are on the rise, with some studies suggesting they’ll grow by as much as $193 billion in 2019. The reason for the rapid growth is a simple one. Small and mid-sized businesses realize MIT models are a cost-effective solution to the ever-expanding demand for IT services. For example, the amount of information security and technical support needed for both cloud and local applications is continually increasing. Businesses are having to significantly increase IT spending to meet demand. And for those companies that cannot support a dedicated in-house IT department, it makes sense to partner with an expert provider for support and strategic planning.

Managed IT Services are exactly what they sound like. The IT services your business requires are managed by an outside provider. Following an MIT model, you will have a dedicated room of experts at your disposal to manage your IT needs and equipment. Best of all, the IT solutions you receive will be customized to fit your business and needs.

In an MIT model, a dedicated provider manages your company’s:

  • Firewalls
  • Servers
  • Workstation Services
  • End-User Services
  • Telecom
  • Backup Monitoring and Administration

With so many responsibilities taken away from your shoulders and out of the hands of your employees, you will be able to rededicate your valuable time to the parts of your business that are most important to you.

The Benefits of Managed IT Services

When you switch to the MIT model, you get back all the time, energy, and effort you’ve dedicated to maintaining your IT services. You’ll be able to focus on your business and your own expertise, instead of putting out proverbial IT fires. But, more importantly, since the MIT model is proactive, saved time is not the only benefit.

In addition to allowing your staff more time to focus on in-house projects instead of shuffling between responsibilities, Managed IT Services also provide:

  • More Efficient Operations – Instead of responding to problems when they happen, like in the break/fix model, the experts managing your services will be able to anticipate your needs. They’ll be proactive in preventing breaches or breaks before they ever have a chance to occur.
  • Return on Investment – Using outdated software or waiting for a break to occur can be detrimental to your business. You never know when the next break could be a fatal disaster to your system. And if you wait until after the fact to react, you will pay the price. The costs of hesitancy can be excessive.
  • More Security and Compliance – Technology and the regulations that go along with it are constantly evolving. It can be difficult to keep up with the changes. But with a dedicated provider managing your IT services you can be sure that you are always compliant and up to date. After all, they are the experts in their industry’s updates and security strategies.

Pricing Differences Between the Models

Choosing an IT company to transition to the proactive model can be challenging. Especially so when pricing and service expectations are different. With a break/fix model, you pay as you go at standard rates for services as you need them. Generally, these models do not have service level agreements (SLA) that dictate response time expectations. In the MIT model, a recurring monthly fee exists along with an SLA to provide a consistent expectation for both costs and service. The best service providers will discuss these options with you (upfront and periodically) to determine what best fits your needs. Use these discussions to plan for current and future issues. This way you’ll achieve the most efficient services for an improved bottom line and smooth day-to-day operations.

The benefits of moving from break/fix services to managed IT are simple and clear: more efficiency, better ROI, and more security and compliance. If you are interested in learning more about the Managed IT Services model, or if you are ready to make the switch to a proactive model, schedule a consultation  with Net3 IT to discuss solutions that can help to save you time, money, and headaches.