Managed IT services vs break-fix support: which fits a small business
Most outsourced IT falls into two models. Knowing how each works makes quotes easier to compare.
| Break-fix | Managed services | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Hourly or per job, when something breaks | A recurring monthly fee for a defined scope |
| Incentive | Provider earns more when things break | Provider benefits when systems run smoothly |
| Budget | Hard to predict | Easier to predict |
| Prevention | Usually limited | Updates, monitoring and backups are part of the scope |
| Best for | Very small setups with few devices and low risk | Businesses that depend on computers every day |
What a managed agreement usually includes
- Help desk for employees, with stated hours and response targets.
- Monitoring and software updates for computers and servers.
- Backup management and a tested way to restore.
- Security tools, account management and onboarding or offboarding of staff.
- Planning and advice, such as when to replace equipment.
Where costs hide
- Projects such as office moves or migrations billed separately.
- Charges for after-hours or on-site visits.
- Software licenses billed on top of the service.
- Fees to leave, or to receive your own documentation.
How to decide
If an outage would stop your business, choose managed services and write the scope down. If you have a handful of devices and nothing critical, break-fix with a trusted provider can be enough. Use the quote comparison to put both on the same footing.
Sources and further reading
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