What is Break-Fix IT?
The break-fix IT model is the traditional approach to managing IT systems, where you call your IT service provider only when something goes wrong or when your DIY quick fixes fail to work.
Why People Choose Break-Fix IT
- Can be CHEAPER IN THE SHORT TERM – you spend on repairs only when you need them
- NO FIXED RATES – you could pay less depending on the provider’s service
- NO CONTRACTS – there is no long-term commitment, so you can switch to a different provider whenever you want
- PRIVACY & CONTROL – only you have full access to your IT and control over all decisions
Break-fix can be okay for small businesses with very simple IT needs. However, it can be inefficient, reactive, and unpredictable for growing, larger, or more complex organisations.
The Pitfalls of Break-Fix IT
Like band-aid solutions to a water leak problem, break-fix may not be worth it in the long run. Here are some of the reasons:
- Downtime Costs: When IT systems fail, there can be significant downtime – your staff may not be able to work – resulting in lost productivity and lost revenue.
- Unexpected Service Fees: Calling in IT professionals on short notice or outside of regular business hours can mean additional service fees and overtime rates.
- Data Loss & Recovery Costs: If a system failure leads to data loss, you may need to invest in costly and time-consuming data recovery services or recreating lost data.
- Replacement Costs: Replacing a malfunctioning piece of hardware or software could sometimes cost lower than attempting repairs, but still entails unexpected and significant costs.
- Unpredictable Repair Costs: It can be hard estimating repair costs, especially if the problem is complex or needs extensive troubleshooting, because unexpected expenses can arise.
- Reactive Maintenance: Because you only address issues as they occur (a reactive approach), expenses accumulate over time as problems recur and often worsen.
- Loss of Customer Trust: Downtime and technical issues can reduce customer trust and loyalty, potentially affecting your finances in the long-term.
- Security Risks: Delayed IT support can leave unresolved vulnerabilities, which can lead to data breaches or cyber incidents, often with financial and reputational costs.
- Upfront Costs for IT Planning: IT planning and maintenance are often skipped, so fixing issues that turn up means instant upfront costs – which can be avoidable with a proactive approach.
- Missed Opportunities: You may miss opportunities for growth and innovation as your time and resources are diverted from strategic initiatives.
Lack of Proactive Support
Because break-fix IT is a reactive model, it may be inadequate in many areas, including:
- Patch Management
- Monitoring & Alerts
- Security Measures
- Backup & Disaster Recovery Planning
- Preventive Maintenance
- Employee Training
- IT Documentation & Inventory
- Predictive Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- IT Budgeting
“If break-fix IT no longer works for our business, then what should be our way forward now?”
The Proactive Way: Managed IT Services
What is Managed IT?
Managed IT is a collection of services that typically includes:
- Network Management – configuring, monitoring, and managing performance
- Systems Management – covering your entire IT operations
- IT Security – protecting your business vs unauthorised access and malicious attacks
- Database Management – storage, processing, and management for seamless data organisation
- IT Help Desk – for immediate response and effective troubleshooting of issues
- Application Management – maintenance, version control, and system upgrades
Many Managed IT providers also include Managed Security to ensure businesses take a proactive approach to support their data, people and future.
How can Managed IT Help Your Business?
Managed IT Services can…
- Reduce your operational costs,
- Increase your productivity,
- Provide you with expert IT support and solutions,
- Improve your security and compliance,
- Implement technology best practices and standards,
- Enhance your data protection, backup, and recovery,
- Boost your innovation and competitiveness,
- Help you access the latest technologies and IT tools,
- Make you feel you have your own IT department (less in-house cost),
- Optimise your business performance and reliability, and
- Free you up to focus on your core business activities.
How Much Does Managed IT Services Cost?
No business ever needs unexpected costs, downtime, lost productivity and security risks. Managed IT provides businesses with predictive monthly pricing and is more often cost-effective for businesses in the long-term.
- Fixed Pricing: Rates typically involve a fixed monthly or annual fee, so you know exactly how much they will cost every time.
- No Surprise Expenses: Because IT issues are addressed before they escalate, so you can avoid unexpected repair costs.
- Lower Prices: You prevent costly problems (e.g., data loss, security breaches, and hardware failures) because issues are resolved before they become bigger.
- Scalability: As your business grows or changes, the service plan can be adjusted accordingly, ensuring costs align with the level of service required.
- No Extra Priority Fees: Many managed IT service agreements already include priority support, so there are no additional fees for urgent assistance.
- Up-to-Date Technology: If regular tech upgrades and replacements are part of the package, you avoid unexpected costs associated with aging equipment.
- Less Downtime: Being proactive helps minimise downtime, resulting in increased employee productivity and revenue generation.
- Reduced Recovery Expenses: Robust backup and disaster recovery solutions can lower the risk of data loss and the associated costs of data recovery efforts.
- Lower Consequential Costs: Managed IT services prioritise cyber security, reducing your security risks and removing the potential legal, regulatory, and reputational costs.
Break Away from Break-Fix IT
The business technology landscape today is light years away from what it was before.
Break-fix is a thing of the past and is no longer adequate for growing businesses. The new business IT paradigm needs a proactive approach called Managed IT Services. We break down the differences between the two models in this insightful datasheet, check it out now.
Got questions about managed IT and cybersecurity, get in touch today.