The Best Business IT Solution for You: Break-Fix or Managed Services?

More than 75% of recently surveyed business owners have resolved to make long-term changes to their business IT solutions in 2021, according to SWZD. The pandemic of 2020 was a major catalyst for business transformation as millions of employees went home to work, leaving offices vacant. Business owners now realize the future of their companies and work culture will require proactive IT solutions to move and grow their businesses.

Matching the talent of your internal staff members, along with their IT support abilities, to your company’s operational needs will help you decide if you need an on-call helpdesk or a managed service provider (MSP).

IT Support and Your Portland Business

The type of IT support you select depends upon your in-house staff’s abilities to ensure your network is protected and well maintained. Caring for your information technology is much like maintaining your vehicle. When you have an issue with your car, you’ll probably take it to a mechanic where the problem is quickly diagnosed and fixed.

Often, mechanics find your car’s problem isn’t a broken part or a malfunctioning system but a maintenance issue instead. For example, if the vehicle’s oil isn’t changed regularly, dirty oil eventually damages the engine which causes more headaches – and a bigger repair bill – than if you had just taken the time to change the oil in the first place.

Your IT network is similar in that all parts must be in working order for optimal performance. Just one part not working up to par, and your entire system can be compromised or stop working altogether. And, just as problems with your vehicle can be prevented with a regular maintenance schedule, serious problems in your network also can be prevented with regular monitoring and maintenance.

If you have IT support people employed, your network may be in good shape. If you don’t – or your internal IT team is overwhelmed with day-to-day user problems and projects – your network may not be getting the maintenance necessary to keep it running efficiently and securely. In this situation, major issues are fixed when they are broken.

Break-Fix vs Managed Services

Break-Fix Is More Expensive

The model above is known as a “break-fix” solution which means businesses call on external IT support only when something breaks. You can imagine what problems your “engine” can have if its oil hasn’t been changed in a while. IT solutions are much the same way. The break-fix model generally results in higher IT costs overall and can have a severe impact on your company’s bottom line when productivity comes to a screeching halt for repairs.

Many companies, especially small-to mid-sized businesses, do not have the budget or in-house IT talent to adequately develop, maintain and secure their IT networks and end up relying on break fix maintenance.

Managed Services Is 24/7

Temporary fixes provided by break-fix services don’t take into account the many maintenance issues required to keep information technology networks working smoothly and securely. Regular upgrades and diagnostics testing along with cybersecurity assessments and 24/7 monitoring are hallmarks of the business IT solutions provided by a managed services provider, like Compass Computing Group.

Managed service providers (MSPs) spot problems when they start and begin repairs immediately as compared to break-fix providers who just fix what’s broken at that specific time. There are no prevention practices such as installing patches and managing backups in the break-fix model.

MSPs act proactively to ensure your network works the way it should every day, preventing costly downtime.

MSPs Are a Bargain

You don’t keep a mechanic on retainer to maintain your car, so why would you keep an MSP on retainer to check your network every time you use it? Well, for one thing, your network doesn’t sit idle in the parking lot. Your network is working 24/7 even if you’re office isn’t open – and so are hackers. Since your network is running every day, you need a team dedicated to maintaining and securing your network so that you can keep your business running smoothly.

What about cybersecurity?

Cybercrime has risen steadily every year, culminating in a new attack every 39 seconds, all day, every day in 2020. MSPs secure your network with ‘round-the-clock monitoring and ongoing maintenance.  At Compass Computing Group, we offer comprehensive IT security services designed for your business with customized cybersecurity solutions.

Reduce downtime; increase productivity

Your time is valuable, and network uptime is even more valuable to your bottom line. Here’s how our managed IT support solutions work for you:

• Replace the need for an IT department

Your in-house team can focus on revenue-increasing activities instead of constantly putting out fires.

• Prevent lost revenue and productivity

Our engineers and best-of-breed IT solutions fix problems before they take down your network.

• Maximize your IT investment

Break-fix solutions are unpredictable and can eat up your operating expenses. Our customized-for-you plan keeps your IT investment predictable and stable throughout the year.

• Prevent catastrophic problems

Failed backups and malware infiltration often go unnoticed when your business uses a break-fix model. With our 24/7 monitoring systems, we can detect data breaches sooner: often before damage is done.

Has your Portland business had turnover in your IT department, overextended your budget or become concerned about cybersecurity and compliance? Then give us a call today to schedule your free consultation for better business IT solutions.