Break Fix vs Managed Services: Which One Supports Your IT Needs Best?

by ComputersMadeEasy | Jun 28, 2023

In today’s technologically-driven world, IT services are indispensable for businesses to thrive.

An estimated 60% of companies go out of business within six months of a cyber attack, according to a report by the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance, as reported by Fundera.

It’s a stark reminder of how the right IT support can make or break a business.

In this blog, we will (pardon the pun) break down break-fix vs managed services. Covering what each one does, their respective pros and cons, and give you all the info you need to make an informed decision about which one might be right for your business.

Understanding Break-Fix Services

When technology breaks, you need a solution and fast.

The break-fix model, as its name suggests, works by fixing issues as they occur. When your system goes down or your software fails, you call in an IT specialist to identify and fix the problem.

The Break-fix Model: Pros and Cons

The most significant advantage of break-fix services is its ‘no service, no charge’ principle. You only pay when you use the service, making it seem like a cost-effective choice, particularly for smaller businesses or startups.

However, this model comes with significant risks. It’s reactive, not proactive, meaning problems are only addressed when they’ve already occurred.

According to Gartner, downtime can cost businesses an average of $5,600 per minute. When you factor in this potential downtime, the break-fix model can be significantly more costly than initially anticipated.

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Understanding Managed IT Services

On the other hand, managed IT services operate under a proactive model.

As a business, you partner with a service provider who actively manages and maintains your IT systems. They anticipate and prevent IT issues before they can negatively impact your business.

The Managed IT Services Model: Pros and Cons

Managed IT services can offer you predictable monthly costs, improved system stability, and reduced downtime, resulting in improved productivity and reduced stress for your team.

But it’s not all rosy.

One potential drawback of managed IT services is the upfront cost. This model generally operates on a subscription basis, so there can be larger regular payments compared to the as-needed break-fix model.

Get so familiar with managed IT services as a topic your co-workers will think you’re working for them:

Break-fix vs Managed Services: A Comparative Analysis

When comparing cost-effectiveness, the break-fix model may initially seem cheaper. However, when you factor in the potential cost of downtime, managed IT services often emerge as the more financially prudent choice.

Furthermore, managed IT services offer a proactive approach, working to prevent issues before they occur, compared to the reactive nature of break-fix services.

Here’s a convenient table that compares the two models for small, medium and large businesses:

Business Size	Break-fix Services	Managed IT Services
Small	Lower upfront costs but risk of higher long-term costs due to potential downtime	Predictable monthly costs, improved system stability
Medium	Reactive support may not suffice for growing IT needs	Scalable support, better alignment with business growth
Large	High downtime costs can outweigh benefits	Proactive, strategic IT approach aligns with business goals

As you can see here, managed IT services appear to be the better long-term option for any business.

Case Studies Illustrating the Difference between Break-fix vs Managed Services

A 2018 case study by the Ponemon Institute highlighted an instance where a business following the break-fix model experienced a data breach. The reactive nature of the model resulted in significant costs related to downtime and customer trust erosion.

On the flip side, a 2020 case study by Gartner demonstrated how a company employing managed IT services avoided a potential ransomware attack. The proactive monitoring systems identified the threat early, preventing significant disruption and potential financial loss.

Choose Managed IT Services as the Better Option with Computers Made Easy as Your IT Partner

Given the rising digital threats and the need for stable IT systems, it’s clear that the benefits of choosing managed IT services over break-fix services are significant.

Discover our managed IT services in these other locations today:

As an industry leader, Computers Made Easy can provide robust, round-the-clock IT support, mitigating risks and ensuring your business’s smooth operation. Remember, it’s not just about solving problems, it’s about preventing them.

So if managed IT services seem to be what your business needs, don’t feel you need to decide immediately.

Instead, reach out to us for a free consultation where we’ll diagnose your IT needs together and devise a solution that gives you exactly what you need without going over budget.