When it comes to keeping your Baltimore small-to-midsize business running smoothly, your IT strategy matters. Your IT network is the backbone of your operations, so having a strategy can make all the difference when issues arise. Many business owners are torn between managed IT services and the break-fix model. Here, we are going to break down how each approach impacts your long-term costs, productivity and risk.
What Is the Difference?
Managed IT services refers to a company that you pay a fixed monthly fee to remotely manage your IT infrastructure. Services include ongoing monitoring, maintenance, support and guidance. They are there to prevent issues before they happen and are ready to step in promptly if problems occur. Break-fix IT services refers to an IT professional that you only call when something breaks. You only pay for services when something needs to be fixed and have no ongoing contracts or preventative maintenance.
Long Term Cost
At first glance, break-fix can seem like the cheaper option because you only pay for services when you need them. However, surprise downtime, emergency hourly rates and experiencing multiple issues simultaneously can add up fast. With managed IT services, paying a predictable monthly fee provides access to ongoing support, making budgeting easier. While the upfront fee may seem higher than the break-fix option, it can be the more cost-effective solution in the long run, especially if there is a security incident.
Productivity
Every hour that your team cannot access their files or email is money that is lost. Break-fix is a reactive approach, meaning that you have to wait until someone is able to come and fix something after it is already broken. This can cause prolonged downtime while you wait for a technician to become available. Managed IT services keep your network monitored 24/7 and can resolve any potential issues before it turns into downtime. For Baltimore businesses that have extensive IT needs, a managed IT service might be more suitable for you.
Risk
Cyber crimes are on the rise, and small business owners are the prime targets. Break-fix support does not include proactive security measures like firewalls, backups or critical updates. This can leave your business vulnerable to cyber attacks. Managed IT services include robust security measures to protect your data and systems. This can give business owners more peace of mind knowing that their information is constantly being monitored.
Real World Example
Here are two real world scenarios of a 25 person office, one with break-fix services and one with managed IT services:
Break-Fix Scenario
A law firm has 25 employees working with important files and strict deadlines. They do not have managed IT services and only call an IT technician when something breaks. One morning, their server crashes, leaving the entire office unable to access their files or email. The entire team has to wait two days for a technician to become available. During those two days of downtime, the team sits idly and or scrambling to work on outside tasks in order to move their project forward. This causes delays and frustrated clients. They face unpredictability in delays as well as billing each time a technician is called, as well as interruptions in their business operations.
Managed IT Services Scenario
Instead of waiting for issues to arise, this same law firm partners with a MSP that monitors their systems 24/7. When problems begin to occur in the firm’s server, the IT team catches it before the server crashes. The team is able to get support for any IT issues that may come up, like slow systems or applications, without having to wait days for a technician. As a result, the firm is able to access all their important files and meet all of their deadlines without worrying about IT problems.
ROI Advantage
While break-fix services seem more cost effective in the beginning, they lead to unpredictable costs and productivity losses that can outweigh their benefits. Managed IT services provide a clear return on investment by preventing downtime and providing a predictable monthly bill. This can reduce overall stress and stabilize your business.
For Baltimore small-to-midsize business owners, break-fix might feel like the cheaper option up front, but managed IT services protect your business, reduce risk and pay for themselves in uptime, productivity and peace of mind. Need help figuring out if managed IT services are the right fit for your business? Contact us today to find out how much we can save your business in the long run.
