Why the Break/Fix IT Model is Costing Your Business More Than You Think
For many business owners, the traditional “break/fix” model has been their long-term solution. This approach involves calling IT support only when something goes wrong—when you’re already in trouble.
While the break/fix approach may have served its purpose in the past, tech needs have grown more complex. We’re facing more cyber threats, software vulnerabilities, and rapidly evolving technologies than ever before. Relying on a 100% reactive strategy can leave you vulnerable to costly downtime, data breaches, and customer dissatisfaction.
Let’s look at the pitfalls of the break/fix approach.
Downtime
When a critical IT issue arises, you’re forced to wait for help to arrive, often leading to significant downtime. Every minute your systems are down, your business loses money and potentially damages its reputation.
Unpredictable costs
Break/fix support comes with unpredictable costs. You can’t anticipate when problems will occur or how much they’ll cost to fix, which can wreak havoc on your budget.
Data loss
Data loss is a nightmare for any business. Relying on break/fix means you risk losing valuable data if a problem escalates before anyone can start helping.
No familiarity
In this model, your IT support provider is like a distant relative you only hear from when things go wrong. They may not fully understand your business needs and goals or even be up to date on your current setup, which can hinder effective problem-solving.
Security vulnerabilities
Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Relying on a reactive approach may leave your systems vulnerable to attacks, as you may not get timely security updates or patches.
Move beyond a transactional relationship.
With the break/fix model, your interactions with IT support can often feel transactional. It’s a “call when you need help” scenario, with little room for developing a deeper understanding of your business’s unique needs and goals. In contrast, a contract-based IT support model creates a partnership where your IT team becomes an extension of your business.
Your IT support partner takes the time to get to know your business inside and out. They learn about your processes, workflows, and objectives, allowing them to offer solutions tailored to your specific requirements.
With a contract in place, you have a direct line to your IT professionals. There’s no need to navigate a maze of automated systems or wait hours on hold. Your IT partner is just a phone call or email away, ready to assist you promptly.
Instead of waiting for IT issues to arise, your IT support partner actively collaborates with you. They seek opportunities to optimize your technology infrastructure, improve efficiency, and ensure that your systems always perform at their best.
The bottom line
One of the primary challenges of the break/fix approach is the unpredictability of costs. When you rely on calling IT support only when things go wrong, you play a financial guessing game. You can never be sure when a major issue will strike or how much it will cost to resolve.
With a contract-based IT support model, you say farewell to these financial uncertainties. You pay a fixed, monthly fee that covers all your IT support, including the routine proactive work and fixes. This predictability allows you to budget effectively, allocate resources wisely, and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
Running a successful business requires your undivided attention. Dealing with IT issues on a case-by-case basis can be a big distraction. Choosing a contract-based IT support model allows you to focus on your core business activities while your IT professionals handle the technical aspects.
This increased focus can increase efficiency, growth, and profitability, as IT-related interruptions and headaches no longer bog you down.
So, are you ready to:
- Better protect your data
- Make things run more smoothly
- And save money … at the same time?
We’d love to talk. Get in touch.
Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.