When you are running a business, you need your technology to work not just sometimes but all the time. The only option you used to have was to fix what was broken. It’s called “Break-Fix” and it isn’t always the best route, especially when it comes to technology. The last thing you want to deal with is downtime, frustration and lost opportunities.
An alternative to the Break-Fix cycle is Managed IT Services. This takes a proactive rather than a reactive approach by looking for problems and resolving them before anyone even knows they are there. By performing network monitoring and helping to ensure that breakdowns and failures, as well as hardware maintenance, are constant and consistent, you are saving your organization from hassle. Managed IT Services may be the investment needed to keep your business running like a well-oiled machine.
Many businesses feel that they don’t need 24-hour monitoring of their networks or continuous hardware maintenance. Businesses think that it will cost too much to focus on the possibility of future issues and therefore remain in the continuous Break-Fix cycle. But much like regular maintenance from your mechanic on your car will help prevent major breakdowns and repairs later, that is what managed IT services do for your networks and hardware.
In a Break-Fix framework, it works something like this:
- You discover a problem and contact the IT service provider to report the problem
- IT service provider sends a technician to resolve the problem or the technician assesses the problem remotely
- The technician identifies the problem, diagnoses it, and resolves it, then sends you a bill for services rendered.
The downside to the Break-Fix model should be considered when making your decision. You could face things such as:
Unpredictable costs – While there are no monthly fees and no need for contracts or a monthly IT expenses budget, unpredictable issues will surface and there is no telling what the cost will be to fix these unwelcome surprises. When equipment breaks down, you are thinking about how to get things back up and running quickly rather than what this is doing to your budget. After all, downtime hits your bottom line too. You will likely not be spending precious time getting multiple quotes from providers. Emergencies of this type don’t allow the kind of time you need to find the best bang for your buck.
Increased downtime – When your organization cuts costs on network and monitoring, the chances of your business experiencing significant downtime increase. Under the Break-Fix model, there is no service level agreement in place, so no guarantee that you will receive the support you need in time. Services will be restored, but there will still not be any preventative measures in place to keep these issues from reoccurring.
Reduced productivity – When your business lacks proper IT support, it is likely that one or more of your employees will take on the role of an IT specialist or expert, whether or not that is in their job description. While this may seem like a practical method, the interruption to their regular duties or responsibilities can be damaging to productivity.
The Benefits of Managed IT Services
With managed IT services, networks are consistently monitored by a third party responsible for mitigating minor and major risks before problems arise. Services are billed monthly and are considered a proactive approach.
The major advantage of the managed IT model is predictability. The monthly costs generally include consistent technology monitoring and equipment maintenance. Your business or organization will also be equipped with the latest technologies and solutions. With a managed service provider (MSP) on your side, you will have the ability to easily expand your business when the time is right. There is no need to pull other team members in to act as IT services because your MSP will ensure that the solutions and technologies you need are in place.
In a Managed IT Services framework, it works like this:
- A problem comes to light
- The monitoring solution will alert the MSP that there is a problem before an employee is required to make a report or a call.
- The problem is identified and fixed
Transitioning from Break-Fix to Managed IT Services
A transition from a Break-Fix to an MSP will require a major shift within an organization. However, many businesses have immediately noticed the benefits of using a managed IT services model, which certainly outweighs the process it took to get there. With our managed IT services, we take a proactive approach to resolving issues before they occur to ensure the functionality of your systems. For more information on IT services, contact Rea & Associates. We would love to talk to you.
By: Jeff Rapp (Massillon office)