If your small Rehoboth business is looking for reliable IT support, you may be wondering whether you need a break/fix provider or a managed IT services provider. Both options have their pros and cons, so how do you choose which one is right for your business?

Below are some of the key differences, pros, and cons between these two types of IT support.

Break/Fix IT Support

Break/fix providers only offer support when something goes wrong. This means that you’ll have to wait for a problem to occur before you can get any help. Break/fix providers usually charge by the hour, so IT costs are unpredictable, and you may end up overspending on your IT budget, especially if you suffer significant issues.

Managed IT Service Providers

Managed IT service providers offer proactive support, which means your technology will be monitored and maintained at all times. This reduces the risk of a problem occurring in the first place, so you won’t have to worry about an unexpected breakdown that’s going to cost you time and money. They operate on a subscription model, meaning you pay per month for constant support. 

Cost Differences Between Break/Fix and Managed IT Services

As mentioned above, break/fix providers charge by the hour, while managed IT services are typically billed on a monthly or yearly basis. Managed IT services keep IT costs predictable, as you’ll never be charged extra if you need more support hours one month.

Additionally, with managed IT services, you’ll have a team of experts working to proactively prevent problems from occurring. This will save you even more, as you won’t have to deal with the downtime and lost productivity that comes with a technology breakdown.

Finally, the cost of managed IT services is often around the cost of one salaried in-house IT employee. If you’re only using break/fix IT, you likely need someone on staff anyway to take care of all your day-to-day maintenance that a break/fix provider doesn’t take care of. Managed IT services can supplement your in-house team so you don’t have to hire more staff, or replace the need for hiring an in-house team in the first place, while break/fix IT will never be able to replace the same level of constant support and expertise.

The Pros and Cons of Break/Fix IT Support

Break/fix IT support can be an option for businesses that only need occasional support and don’t want to pay for managed IT services. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll only be able to get help when something goes wrong, which can be costly and disruptive to your business.

More and more businesses are switching to a managed services model because they recognize the importance of protecting against cyber threats. Break/fix models leave you without the proactive support and IT strategy that integrate your technology with your business goals, often leaving you with an IT setup that’s more of an annoyance than an asset.

The Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are a good option for businesses that want to avoid the cost and disruption of technology problems. Additionally, with managed IT services, you’ll have a team of experts working to proactively prevent problems from occurring. However, managed IT services can be more expensive than break/fix support in the short-term.

With a managed service model, your IT provider is incentivized to work proactively to prevent downtime and technology snags, since the better your initial setup and protection is, the fewer times you’ll have to call them for help!

Some of the biggest benefits of managed IT services are the proactive cybersecurity management and system monitoring you get, access to a team of specialists and enterprise-level technology tools you may not be able to afford on your own, and the goal-oriented IT strategy provided.

Deciding Between Break/Fix vs. Managed IT

So, which option is best for your small business in Rehoboth? Only you can decide which type of IT support is the right fit for your specific needs and budget. But by understanding the differences between these two options, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that will help keep your technology running smoothly and protect your bottom line.

Telewire’s Managed IT Services in Rehoboth

If you’re looking for managed IT services in Rehoboth, look no further than Telewire. We offer a variety of managed IT services that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. And, our team of experts will work proactively to prevent problems before they occur.

To learn more about our managed IT services or to get a free quote, visit us online or call Telewire today!