Business owners seeking IT support must choose between two options: managed services and break/fix services. Both are meant to address issues relating to IT, however, their methods, prices, and advantages are not the same. Knowing these gaps can help you choose what’s best for your organization.
What Are Managed Services?
Managed services can be defined as a form of IT support that seeks to undertake every aspect of management in a rather proactive manner. To this end, businesses team up with managed service providers. They take on the hard work of monitoring, maintaining, and managing all IT systems.
Major Benefits of Managed Services
- Proactive Monitoring: It watches IT systems 24/7. It fixes any problems before they disrupt operations.
- Predictable Costs: Allow for budgets to be set as a standard service fee is charged every month to cover several services.
- Comprehensive Support: It includes offers like cover for IT infrastructure, security, data storage, and backups. It also includes installing system updates.
- Focus on Prevention: Managed service providers are proactive. They prevent problems before they occur, rather than fix them after the fact.
Who Benefits from Managed Services?
Managed services are a popular replacement for businesses seeking a comprehensive IT solution that is cost-effective and ensures minimal interruptions and trouble. It is suitable for companies expecting long-term IT support and development.
What Are Break/Fix Services?
Break/Fix Services offers IT support based on responding to customers’ needs. In short, businesses call an IT provider only when there is a problem. The provider charges a flat fee to fix it.
The Key Characteristics of Break/Fix Services
- Support as Needed: Services are limited to instances where there are existing or potential problems.
- Cost is not fixed: There can be wide variations in the cost depending on the type of issue and how long it takes to resolve it.
- Limited Scope: It does not consider the general state of the system; rather, it aims to solve urgent client requests.
- There is no provision for monitoring: There is no such thing as monitoring IT systems, and they will not be monitored unless there is a request.
Who can take advantage of break/fix services?
This model works quite well for a business that has very little IT requirements or those that would prefer a model that lets them pay for services only when needed. Such a model works best in instances where even issues are not so common.
Key Differences Between Managed Services and Break/Fix Services
Approach
- Managed Services: This service type is proactive and ensures constant monitoring with preventive efforts.
- Break/Fix Services: Customers use the services on an urgent basis and do not pay for anything until it is needed.
Cost Structure
- Managed Services: This type has a fee that covers everything every month.
- Break/Fix Services: There are charges for each problem, which makes the costs volatile.
Scope of Services
- Managed Services: These types of services are more extensive as they include all spheres of IT, such as security, backup, upgrades, etc.
- Break/Fix Services: This type will only help in meeting the particular needs that arise at one point in time.
Business Continuity
- Managed Services: This one comes to ensure maximum uptime and guarantee seamless running of operations.
- Break/Fix Services: There is equal machinery of emphasis for operational disruptions and damage restoration.
Long-Term Benefits
- Managed Services: Enables growth with an end-business objective through a well-thought-out IT partnership.
- Break/Fix Services: The benefits that are enjoyed are the operational ones but without any expectation or direction.
Choosing the Right Model for Your Business
Managed Services: A Practical Option
Managed services are a good option for IT-dependent businesses that want to lower their chances of risking downtime. They give assurance with standard monitoring, up-to-date maintenance, and professional assistance all the time.
Break/Fix Services: Effective Cost Option
As for companies with low dependence on IT resources or those that only experience occasional problems, break/fix services may prove to be reasonably cost-effective for them. Still, one can never forget the risks involved in systems that are not monitored.
Why Managed Services Are Gaining Popularity
As managed services prove to be advantageous, several companies in this regard have shifted from break/fix services to managed services. They include the following:
- Minimized Downtime: Problems are solved beforehand so as not to interfere with operations.
- Enhanced Security: The system is updated constantly, so there are no security breaches.
- Scalability: Managed services can expand with your company and meet its changing
- Cost Efficiency: No surprises due to fixed costs, and the repair cost is lowered through being proactive.
Conclusion
Geeks Worldwide Solutions knows the specific IT requirements of businesses and organizations. For those who would rather use managed services or would like to break/fix services as and when required, we are there to help you select the option that best suits your organization. Visit our website today for more details and consultation to enhance your IT operations!
Contact details: +1 949-996-3582
