Whether you’re putting out IT fires or you’re looking to proactively prevent them, it helps to know your options when issues do arise. Discover the difference between the two most common approaches—break fix and managed IT services.
Which IT Service Model is Most Suitable for Your Small- to Medium-Sized Business?
When things go wrong, most people turn on problem-solving mode. However, preventing problems is much easier than fixing them, especially when they may have already gotten out of hand. Luckily, the main purpose of managed IT is to monitor your networks and take preventative measures to ward off tech issues from the start. This service model can also be thought of as proactive maintenance. In other words, managed IT is hypervigilant, so you don’t have to be. On the other hand, break fix takes an opposite approach by solving problems as they arise.
Is Managed IT Right for Your Business?
Small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) tend to lean towards the managed IT option, mainly due to the customized support that is tailored to each company’s unique needs. Managed IT also offers a level of convenience and advanced customer support; it’s a tech service model that instantly diminishes a company’s likelihood of encountering IT issues in the first place.
Some of the other perks of managed IT include:
- Around-the-clock network monitoring and security
- Live help desk support
- A monthly flat fee—no surprise charges
- Software updates
- Consistent system upkeep
Is Break Fix Right for Your Business?
Some SMBs may still find break fix services to be beneficial. With break fix services, there’s no contractual agreement, which is what some companies prefer. With this tech service model, problem solving only begins after an issue has been brought to your attention. Once you’ve identified the problem, you still have to find someone to fix it.
Break fix service starts once you report the IT issue to your company’s vendor. If manual troubleshooting efforts fail to resolve the problem, a technician will be sent to your location. Technicians may be knowledgeable in the IT field, but they aren’t necessarily experts with your system. The most common break fix issues technicians solve include:
- Hardware upgrades or installations
- Network repairs
- Installation of privacy or preventative software
As a result, there’s more of a transactional experience between your company and the IT company since the technician has no commitment to your ongoing success.
Planning IT Expenses
You’ll also want to consider the fees you may accumulate when choosing an IT service model. Break fix services can lead to unexpected expenses. Financial uncertainty is a stressor you can eliminate when you invest in managed IT services. With a break fix service model, everything from the consultation to the analysis and diagnosis to the technician’s trip to your location can quickly become costly.
Break fix fees are also just as recurrent as the tech issues you face, causing you to experience overages on your company’s monthly budget. Ultimately, you save more than you spend with managed IT since this option gives you complete control over your business’s expenditures. SMBs can think of managed IT as a way to tell their money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
How Do I Choose What’s Best for My Business?
You don’t have a cookie-cutter business, so you shouldn’t be expected to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach for your cyber support and protection. With managed IT, your business experience is automatically enhanced with services and safety parameters that keep your system in pristine condition. Furthermore, you have access to a range of customizable service sets for your company, in addition to the support of a dedicated IT help desk.
Prioritizing your business’s reputability starts with forming a partnership with professionals who specialize in superior tech solutions. If you recognize the value in building a professional relationship and rapport with another company, you would most likely be satisfied with a managed IT service model for your company. The entirety of your business’s IT ecosystem can rely on the proven expertise and certification of an outsourced third-party service provider.
Providing the Best IT Solutions for Your Business
ZenGroup holds true to our name. We assure you an experience that is both peaceful and professional from start to finish. Put your trust in ZenGroup to take the hassle out of making the proper selection for IT support and security. Breathe a sigh of relief during your decision-making process and throughout your day-to-day tech procedures as well. You deserve the zen of ZenGroup.
