Discover why break-fix models cost more than you think—and how MSPs can save you money and headaches.
Your business relies on I.T. for everything from operations to growth. But are you spending strategically—or throwing money at problems that could have been avoided?
This brings us to the big question: Are you better off with managed I.T. services (MSPs) or the break-fix model? Which approach minimizes I.T. maintenance costs, provides predictable expenses, and supports long-term growth?
Let’s break it down.
MSP vs. Break-Fix: What’s the Difference?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party company that will look after your I.T. infrastructure and system for you with a suite of offerings from which you can choose.
The services can include network monitoring, infrastructure management, cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management, technical support, and much more.
While many major corporations keep I.T. services in-house, small to medium businesses (SMBs), government agencies, and non-profit organizations tend to rely on the services and expertise of MSPs to manage their I.T. requirements. While help and support are often provided remotely, on-site support can also be an option for different plans.
Many organizations select monthly plans with flat rates, so they know exactly what services they will receive at a fixed monthly cost, which makes budgeting easy.
Sometimes, clients may opt for break-fix or “as-needed” services, basically paying for work as it arises. Typically, a company will turn to an I.T. provider for break-fix help if they encounter a problem that they cannot resolve themselves, such as a system malfunction causing serious downtime. With this model and its unpredictable costs, budget planning is difficult for a company.
The Benefits of MSPs
A good I.T. provider can provide flat-rate or customized plans tailored to your business needs and potential cost savings. These services take a proactive approach to I.T. challenges, often solving disruptive problems before they arise and providing long-term I.T. savings that avoid significant issues.
Furthermore, 24/7 system monitoring and rapid responses help ensure that any disruptions to your business’s flow are minimal, helping to provide cost-effective I.T. management.
Other MSP costs and other benefits include:
- Better-managed I.T. infrastructure
- Improved security
- Regular data backups
- Improved productivity
Finally, there is the matter of ownership. With managed services, the provider assumes almost complete control of your network and technology, becoming accountable for how it functions. This is one reason why that MSP is better than break-fix options. The latter only assumes as much control as is needed to fix a specific problem.
The Real Cost of Break-Fix Services
When it comes to break-fix I.T. vs. managed services, the former may seem like a good idea, as you only pay for things when they go wrong. But if problems do arise, costs can escalate far more quickly than your budget can absorb.
Its proactive nature is another reason why MSP is better than break-fix, which is primarily a reactive solution. The former anticipates and solves problems before they arise. However, break-fix I.T. disadvantages can include soaring maintenance, repair, and patching costs that could have been avoided or minimized with the right help.
Similarly, it’s far better to create strong cybersecurity defenses with a managed solution than to deal with a data breach after the fact. While managed flat-payment solutions help to control risks, the break-fix approach puts you at the mercy of huge unexpected costs, reputational damage, and service interruptions that can be caused by a major I.T. meltdown.
This is not to say that the break-fix model doesn’t have advantages. The model represents a good deal if your I.T. system has few problems and you are relatively optimistic that this situation will continue.
You might also value the greater control you have over your own I.T., only calling the experts as needed for emergencies.
Managed Services ROI
To understand your return on investment with your I.T. costs, you can consider a few different factors. For example, you could take the percentage of your gross revenue paid on I.T. costs and calculate the percentage, comparing it to other businesses in your sector of similar size.
Also, when calculating ROI, you can look at staff savings. For the fixed rate of an MSP, you might be able to forego in-house employees such as hiring help desk staff, network administrators, database administrators, security administrators, and the managers needed to run them.
The ROI would also include the money saved by avoiding prolonged downtime and outages. At the same time, the increased productivity of staff using reliable systems has a value that needs to be calculated as part of ROI.
ROI can also come through increased competitive advantage, the ability to quickly scale as your business grows, and keeping data safe from breaches, with their associated costs.
Reducing I.T. Costs and Downtime With Proactive Help From Attentus
Attentus Technologies is devoted to providing companies in the Pacific Northwest with the I.T. services they need at predictable, reasonable prices that they can count on. One of our core values is to deliver exceptional results, ensuring that the services we provide you are the absolutely best they can be.
We pride ourselves on reducing your downtime because we know that when our proactive services work seamlessly, everyone benefits. By addressing potential issues before they become problems, we help your business stay productive and efficient, minimizing disruptions to your operations.
Optimizing your budget, saving money, and obtaining the I.T. services you require begins with a conversation with one of our experts. Talk to us, and we can help you get the help you need at a price you can manage.
