Whatever the size of your business or industry it represents, finding a suitable, cost-efficient solution for your organization’s IT needs can be challenging.
When deciding on the ideal way to manage IT processes, most companies are led down one of two paths. You can hire managed IT services, or maintain an internal break-fix approach.
While both of these solutions have their own pros and cons, finding ways to incorporate a more proactive approach to your IT requirements is the way to succeed.
Here are the differences between managed IT services and break-fix models, and why it’s high time for your company to switch strategies.
What’s a Break-Fix IT Support Model?
In many traditional organizational settings, IT departments are usually associated with a “call us to fix it” mentality. It’s a reactive and typically cost-ineffective way to manage IT support needs as they arise.
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Rather than deploying too many preventative maintenance measures, organizations that utilize this break-fix approach wait for problems to surface before going down taking a good look at the root of the problem.
When Does Break-Fix Work?
A break-fix IT approach can be useful for certain types of organizations. For example, if the majority of your processes are without the use of technology, then suffering from system downtime may not be a huge concern.
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Typically, break-fix methods take longer to diagnose and solve IT-related issues, so availability of your systems will be more limited than if you hired a team to manage your IT services ahead of time.
Break-fix can also present a more economical solution in some cases. However, having a budget in place for unexpected IT issues isn’t ideal. It’s hard to budget for problems, and it leaves you at the mercy of your equipment’s willingness to work.
What About Managed IT Services?
Unlike the break-fix method, managed IT services are the proactive approach to handling your IT needs. While break-fix waits for problems to occur in your systems, hiring proactive managed IT services ensure your systems are running at full capacity, 24 hours a day.
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Before any IT issues arise, service providers detect potential issues through the use of active monitoring software. It quickly informs them of potential problems that need to be addressed.
This proactive planning guarantees minimal downtime, both when it comes to fixing issues or upgrading IT systems and components.
Which Type of Support Should You Use?
When companies decide on which type of IT solution they prefer to go with, managing operational costs typically is the deciding factor on whether they choose managed IT services or break-fix methods.
However, when considering the downtime risks and long-term costs associated with break-fix IT models, the vast majority of people prefer to switch to managed IT services.
Although you’re making an investment in one form or another, having a customized solution in place for managing and maintaining your company’s infrastructure is extremely valuable. Managed IT services ensure that your IT infrastructure is running at full capacity and driving maximum productivity with minimal or zero downtime.
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In short, managed IT services are absolutely critical for any organization wishing to scale its business model and achieve success.
Keeping Up with the Times
Years ago, break-fix models were an elegant solution to handling the needs of a company. Modern infrastructures and advanced technologies demand a more proactive approach to the management of your IT support.
By switching to managed IT services, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with advanced system maintenance, system planning, and 24/7 monitoring of your day-to-day operations.
