Managed IT vs Break-Fix: Which Support Model Saves More?

When it comes to dealing with IT issues, many businesses rely on a break-fix model rather than having a support plan in place. Is this the best solution, or would you find that a managed IT model would actually save you money? While break-fix certainly works, it also creates downtime that reduces productivity and puts your bottom line at risk.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive break-fix and managed IT services comparison, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve taken a closer look at both support models and explained why managed IT is the preferred choice if you’re looking to save money.

The dedicated team at The Owl IT Services offers a range of managed IT services designed to keep your business moving forward. From cloud solutions and disaster recovery strategies to IT security and hardware procurement, we’ve got you covered. Contact us for more information.

What is Managed IT Support?

Managed IT support involves a third-party provider who takes responsibility for the day-to-day IT operations and management of a business’s technology infrastructure for a fixed monthly fee.
This is a proactive approach that includes services such as network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup and recovery, help desk support, and IT strategy development. It allows the businesses’ internal staff to focus on strategic business goals rather than routine maintenance.

• Managed IT is a proactive approach that focuses on preventing problems through ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and updates.
• It has predictable costs through a fixed, consistent monthly fee that covers a wide range of services for budget stability.
• There is reduced risk, as it significantly minimises costly downtime, improves system stability, and provides faster issue resolution.
• Support is comprehensive, as it includes proactive security, strategic IT planning, and disaster recovery tools.

What is Break-Fix IT Support?

Break-fix support is a reactive, pay-as-you-go approach where business owners call service providers to resolve issues only when they arise (rather than utilising proactive maintenance or ongoing management).
Under this model, businesses are billed per job or per hour of services, which could include hardware repairs, virus removal, or network troubleshooting. While it’s convenient for addressing immediate, unforeseen issues, it’s generally seen as a more costly approach.

• Break-fix IT is a reactive approach, meaning you only pay for support when something breaks or an issue arises.
• It has higher variable costs, and they can fluctuate from month to month, with potentially high expenses for emergencies.
• There is a higher risk of downtime, productivity loss, and security vulnerabilities because issues are not addressed proactively.
• Support is limited, as it doesn’t include ongoing monitoring, strategic planning, or proactive maintenance.

How Break-Fix IT Costs Can Add Up

As break-fix support is billed per job or per hour, it can sound cost-effective… until it isn’t.

Costs are often inflated by:

• Emergency service premiums (for after-hours or emergency support)
• Projects whose budgets balloon once issues are diagnosed
• Multiple visits for repeat issues (as they may only be temporarily resolved)
• Downtime-related losses (that aren’t reflected on an invoice)

Also, consider that the provider will often need to spend more time diagnosing the issue, as they aren’t aware of your systems or infrastructure. This can also lead to a higher bill at the end of the day.

The Hidden Costs of Downtime

Downtime, particularly when it’s unplanned, can be disastrous for any business. Every minute that your systems are down, you’re losing potential revenue, employee productivity, and customer trust.
How does downtime cost you?

• Missed sales or stalled operations can cost you in lost revenue
• Employees are unable to work during outages, but you still need to pay them for their time
• Unreliable service can affect customer confidence and loyalty, damaging your reputation
• Without proper backups in place, data recovery can be expensive or even impossible

Is Break-Fix IT Support Ever A Good Option?

While any business that relies on its IT systems or has a complex IT environment should choose managed IT support, this doesn’t mean that break-fix support doesn’t have its place.

If you have a small operation with minimal IT reliance, your IT issues are rare and not critical to your business, or you have a very limited budget and high risk tolerance, then break-fix IT may work just fine for your needs.

Choose The Owl IT Services for Reliable Managed IT Support

Managed IT services save more money in the long run than the break-fix model by offering proactive maintenance, preventing downtime, and improving security. This reduces the high costs associated with unexpected emergencies, productivity loss, and potential data breaches.
While break-fix appears cheaper with no upfront monthly fees, its variable costs, significant downtime, and lack of strategic support make it less economical and more risky for most businesses.

If you’re interested in exploring managed IT for your business, get in touch with the skilled team at The Owl IT Services today. We’re here to help.

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