● Guide
Managed IT vs. break-fix IT support
One model pays someone to fix things after they break. The other pays someone to keep them from breaking. Here is how they compare.
What is the difference between managed IT and break-fix IT?
With break-fix IT, you call a technician when something breaks and pay for that visit or project. With managed IT, you pay a predictable monthly amount for ongoing support, monitoring, updates, security basics and planning, and the provider works to prevent problems before they stop your team.
Break-fix can work for a very small office with simple needs. Once a business depends on its network, email, files and phones every day, managed IT usually costs less in downtime and surprises.
- Break-fixPay per issue or project
- Managed ITPredictable monthly support
- FocusFixing problems vs. preventing them
- Best forTiny simple offices vs. growing teams
Managed IT and break-fix compared
| Break-fix IT | Managed IT | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per visit, per hour or per project | A predictable monthly agreement |
| When work happens | After something breaks | Ongoing, before and after problems |
| Updates and patches | Often missed until something fails | Handled on a regular schedule |
| Monitoring | None | Systems watched for issues and failures |
| Help desk | Call and wait for availability | Included support for your users |
| Security and backup | Up to you to remember | Part of the ongoing plan |
| Planning | Rare | Regular planning for upgrades and growth |
When break-fix still makes sense
A very small office with a few computers, cloud email and little else may only need help a few times a year. Paying as you go can be reasonable there.
- A handful of users and devices
- No servers or complex network
- Downtime is an inconvenience, not a crisis
When managed IT pays for itself
As soon as your team can't work without the network, files, email and phones, the cost of downtime outweighs the cost of prevention. Managed IT also gives you one team that knows your systems, instead of explaining everything again on every call.
- You are adding people, devices or locations
- You have a server, shared files or line-of-business apps
- You are not sure backups are working
- Security and compliance matter to your customers
Common questions
What does managed IT include?
Typically day-to-day help desk support, monitoring and maintenance of your computers and network, updates and patching, security basics like firewalls and endpoint protection, backup, and planning for upgrades.
Is managed IT worth it for a small business?
For most small businesses that depend on their technology every day, yes. Preventing downtime and security problems usually costs less than paying to recover from them.
Can you fix problems remotely?
Often, yes. TechCore's help desk resolves many issues remotely, and a technician comes on site when hands-on work is needed.
Can I switch from my current IT provider?
Yes. We start with an assessment of your network, users, devices and systems, then plan a clean handoff so nothing is lost in the switch.
Need cameras, access control or alarms?
Commercial security is handled by our sister company, Turner Security. Same owners, same offices, on the same network you already trust us with.
- Security cameras
- Access control
- Live video monitoring
- Fire alarms
Five-star reviews from real customers
We used Turner Security when our business transferred to a new location and they went above and beyond to make sure we were up and running for business as quickly as possible. Jamie, Mike, Reid, Nathan, Greg, TJ and Dan were all very polite, professional, and friendly. I highly recommend them for all your IT needs!
TechCore takes care of our IT and we could not be more pleased with Jamie, Chris and everyone at Turner Security. They are quick to respond and fix any IT issues.
I am a manager for 4 locations of Express Employment Professionals and we've recently used TechCore for our phone service. Our installation was easy and fast! Jamie and Alex took extra care to make sure all of our needs were met in each office, they had everything installed and running on the same day and Alex has been incredibly helpful for any changes we've needed with staff changes. I would highly recommend TechCore's phone and networking service.
Want to see what managed IT would cover?
We'll review your network, users and devices and send a practical plan.