Managed IT vs break-fix IT: which is right for your business?
Break-fix means you call when something breaks and pay for the repair. Managed IT means a team prevents problems and supports you for one monthly price. Here is how they compare.
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How the two approaches compare
| What matters | Break-fix IT | Managed IT with CTEKS |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per incident. Bills swing from month to month. | One predictable monthly price. Plans starting at $80 per user per month. |
| When problems are found | After something breaks and work stops. | Monitoring and patching catch many problems early, before users notice. |
| Who answers | Whoever is available when you call. | A help desk that knows your setup, backed by monitoring. |
| Security | Added after a scare, or not at all. | Included by plan: MFA and endpoint protection. Email security and backups depend on your plan or are quoted separately. |
| Planning | None. You decide alone, one repair at a time. | Regular reviews and a written roadmap tied to your budget. |
| Incentives | The provider earns more when things break. | The provider earns more when things run well. |
| Documentation | Often lives in one technician’s head. | Documented, so any trained team member can help. |
| Risk of downtime | Higher, and recovery starts from zero. | Lower, with tested backups and a recovery plan. |
Who is responsible for uptime?
With break-fix, you carry the risk. You find out something is wrong when work stops, and the provider is paid after the damage is done.
With managed IT, the provider shares the goal of keeping you running. Problems are watched for, updates are applied on schedule, and security is part of the plan instead of an extra.
Be honest about what you need
Break-fix can work when
You have a handful of users, no sensitive data, no compliance duties and you can live with a day of downtime.
Managed IT fits when
Downtime costs real money, you handle client or patient data, you carry cyber insurance, or you have outgrown one person doing everything.
Co-managed fits when
You already have IT staff and want our team for the help desk overflow, security and projects.
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Is managed IT more expensive than break-fix?
Managed IT costs the same every month, so it is easier to budget. Break-fix can look cheaper until an outage, a security incident or a rush repair arrives. Use our cost calculator for a starting estimate.
Can I keep my current IT person?
Yes. Many clients use co-managed IT, where our team works alongside in-house staff.
How long does it take to switch?
Most switches follow a six step plan. We start with a free remote assessment so you know what you have before anything changes.
See which approach fits your business
Find out where your risks are before they become outages.
- Network, backup and security health check
- Plain-English report with a priority list
- Written quote if you want our help
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