Break-fix IT support and managed IT support are two different approaches to providing technical support and maintenance services to businesses.
- Break-Fix IT Support:
- Reactive Approach: Break-fix IT support operates on a reactive model. This means that services are provided on an as-needed basis when something breaks or malfunctions.
- Billing Structure: Clients are typically billed on a per-incident or hourly basis. They pay for the service only when they require assistance or when an issue arises.
- No Ongoing Maintenance: There’s generally no proactive maintenance involved. The service provider intervenes only when there’s a problem reported by the client.
- No Monitoring or Management: The service provider isn’t responsible for monitoring the client’s systems or infrastructure continuously.
- Managed IT Support:
- Proactive Approach: Managed IT support operates on a proactive model. The service provider takes proactive measures to prevent issues from occurring in the first place.
- Fixed Monthly Fee: Clients typically pay a fixed monthly fee for managed IT support services. This fee often includes unlimited support for a predefined scope of services.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Managed service providers perform regular maintenance tasks such as software updates, security patches, and system monitoring to ensure the client’s systems are running smoothly.
- 24/7 Monitoring and Management: Managed service providers continuously monitor the client’s systems for potential issues and provide ongoing management to optimize performance and security.
In summary, break-fix IT support is reactive and transactional, while managed IT support is proactive and focused on ongoing maintenance and monitoring. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs and budget of the client.
