Managed IT vs break-fix: which is right for your business?
How the two support models differ and what to ask a provider before you sign.
Two ways to pay for IT support
Break-fix means you call when something breaks and pay for the repair. Managed IT means a provider monitors and maintains your systems for a fixed monthly fee, so many problems are fixed before staff notice.
How they compare
| Break-fix | Managed IT | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Pay per incident, unpredictable | Fixed monthly fee |
| Approach | Reactive | Preventative, with monitoring |
| Downtime | Starts when something fails | Often avoided or shortened |
| Best for | Very small setups with few devices | Teams that depend on their systems every day |
What a managed plan should include
- Monitoring of your network, servers and devices
- Backups, with regular restore tests
- Security updates and protection
- A help desk for staff, remote and on-site
- Clear documentation of your systems
Questions to ask a provider
- What exactly is covered by the monthly fee, and what is billed extra?
- How fast do you respond, and do you offer emergency support?
- Who is on site, and who answers the phone?
- What happens to my documentation if I leave?
Learn what we offer on our managed IT services page.
Common questions
Is managed IT only for large companies?
No. Small and medium businesses benefit most, because they often have no in-house IT staff.
Can I switch from break-fix to managed IT?
Yes. A good provider starts by documenting your current systems, then fixes the weak spots before ongoing monitoring begins.
Do managed plans cover urgent problems?
It depends on the provider. Ask us what is covered and how urgent problems are handled.
Planning a cabling, camera or IT project?
Tell us about the site and we will come back with a clear quote.