Companies in Miami have a lot of IT decisions to make. One of the most crucial decisions is whether to use break/fix IT support or managed IT services. Both of these options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it can be challenging to determine which one is right for your business.
In this blog, we’ll tackle both types so that you’ll know which IT support is best for your Miami business.
What is break/fix IT support?
This is the traditional IT support model wherein a company contracts a technician when they encounter an IT problem. The technician then resolves the issue and bills the company afterward.
What are managed IT services?
This is the newer IT support model in which businesses pay a flat monthly fee for access to all the IT services they need. This typically includes:
- 24/7 remote and on-site IT support
- Round-the-clock network monitoring
- Proactive IT systems maintenance
What are the pros and cons of break/fix IT support?
Break/fix IT support can be advantageous for businesses that don’t use their IT infrastructure very often. If a company rarely uses IT resources, they’re unlikely to experience regular IT issues. This means they won’t need to get in touch with a break/fix technician often. However, it would be difficult to find a company today that doesn’t rely heavily on IT for their daily operations.
One of the biggest disadvantages of break/fix IT support is that it can be more shockingly expensive. This is because you have to pay each time to resolve an IT issue, rather than paying a flat monthly support fee. So if you experience multiple problems in a month, you may have to keep running to a technician for help and get billed each time.
And if they take a long time to fix an issue, you may wind up with an enormous bill that can mess up your cash flow. Not only that, but with your IT under repair, you may also experience IT downtime that can negatively impact your operations. For example, if your retail website goes down, you may miss out on potential sales and disappoint potential customers. If your website is down for too long, these potential customers may take their business elsewhere.
What are the pros and cons of managed IT services?
By partnering with a managed IT services provider (MSP), you get to save a lot of money in the long run. This is because you pay only a fixed monthly fee for all your IT requirements. Even if you encounter a hundred issues or a thousand in one month, you still pay the same fee.
You also get to enjoy proactive support and maintenance. This means that an MSP will regularly monitor and maintain your IT infrastructure, so you can avoid problems before they happen. And if an issue does arise, the MSP is available 24/7 to resolve the problem quickly. This way, you can avoid costly downtime and keep your operations running smoothly.
The only potential downside of managed IT services is that you usually have to commit to a year-long contract. This can be difficult for companies that are cash-strapped or have unpredictable IT needs. But if you’re willing to commit to a managed IT services contract, you’ll be able to enjoy all the aforementioned benefits.
So, what’s the best IT support for Miami businesses?
The type of IT support that’s best for your company depends on your specific needs and budget. But generally, managed IT services are the better option for most companies.
