When searching for IT assistance companies usually encounter two basic kinds of IT service providers. One is Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the other is Break/Fix service providers. Although they may appear similar on the surface, there are important differences.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
MSPs typically are involved in maintaining a company’s technology infrastructure on a continual basis. This can involve monitoring systems, doing data backups, providing held desk support, applying cybersecurity protections, managing software, specifying hardware, and more. Effectively they function as on outside IT department. It’s essentially a proactive approach that seeks to ensure that technology-related systems are running, smoothly, efficiently, securely, and continuously.
Key Characteristics
Function: Proactive services designed to prevent issues and ensure system health. Provider functions as an outside IT department or an extension of the existing team.
How Delivered: On-going basis
What Is Covered: Comprehensive system management
Compensation: On-going subscription, monthly service fee
Cost Effectiveness: Monthly service fees are consistent and predictable. Allows for better expense management.
Best Suited For Companies That:
- Are concerned about managing long-term system health and stability.
- Are looking for on-going expertise to help manage growth and scalability.
- Don’t have internal resources
- Want to replace or supplement existing internal IT resources
Break/Fix Service Providers
Break/Fix companies typically provide services on an as-needed basis or individual project basis. When something goes wrong they are called upon to come in and resolve a specific issue. Break/Fix is essentially a reactive approach to a business’s IT needs.
Key Characteristics
Function: Reactive services designed to fix specific issues or projects.
How Delivered: As-needed basis
What Is Covered: Technology-related issues as they occur.
Compensation: Hourly or pay-per-incident.
Cost Effectiveness: Costs seem lower on the surface, but can spike unpredictably and mount up as incidents or emergencies occur. Hard to plan for and budget.
Best Suited For Companies That:
- Have small staffs with minimal IT needs.
- Have in-house IT staff and only need to supplement workload.
- Need to tackle specific short-term projects.
- Have an emergency.
For more information about what type of IT service provider is right for you, check out wedoIT at wedoIT.co or call 844-635-5925.