How do you transition from a break/fix model to managed services?

To transition from a break/fix model to Managed IT services, research appropriate new partners and ensure they would work with your core priorities. Arrange a thorough Technology Audit to establish the main issues with your current infrastructure and negotiate a bespoke solution. If you’re happy with this, your partners will start working to implement, maintain and innovate.

Managed IT Services vs Break/Fix

Q: What do Managed IT Services include?

Managed IT Services usually include DaaS (Device as a Service), Buy Back IT and Cybersecurity Services. There are other services you can tie in (from telecoms, to imaging services) depending on what your organisation would benefit from – they will arrange an audit to identify the key areas of improvement.

Q: When is break/fix still relevant or useful?

Break/Fix is still relevant for smaller businesses, who don’t rely much on IT. For organisations like these, the costs of calling technicians out for occasional fixes won’t be too high, and they won’t need the scalability and additional services that come with Managed IT support.

When it comes to IT support, there are two main ways to approach it: proactively and reactively.

Reactive support, or the break/fix support model, is focused around addressing problems when they arise. For IT-forward businesses, however, proactive support models like Managed IT Services are crucial, as they quash issues before they have the chance to cause problems.

Read on to learn how Break/Fix IT support compares with Managed IT Services, and which would suit your organisation more.

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Break/Fix

This is how the Break/Fix IT Support model works:

You report an issue.
A technician is called out to assess and resolve it.
You’re charged per issue.

Hardware failure troubleshooting, software repairs and updates, network connectivity issues, and device installation being some of the focuses.

Here is how Break/Fix measures up against key concerns for your organisation:

Factor	Break/Fix
Support Approach	Case-by-case; a technician only comes when an issue is reported, and they will only work to resolve that issue.
Cost Structure	You're charged per issue, which means costs can accumulate fast if your IT infrastructure is insufficient.
Monitoring	N/A – the responsibility to monitor issues falls on you.
Response Time	Technicians aim to respond quickly, usually within hours, but downtime is inevitable.
Security	N/A – you're responsible for implementing robust cybersecurity measures, and your technician can only help in the event of a breach.
Scalability	N/A – scaling a break/fix model is costly and inefficient.
IT Strategy	N/A – technicians may suggest broader ways to improve your IT, but they are not in charge of implementing or monitoring them.

In summary, break/fix is a suitable option for small businesses that don't rely too much on IT, but if you have broader ambitions to innovate or scale, proactive IT support is more appropriate.

Managed IT Services

With Managed IT Services, your IT partners regularly look for opportunities to improve your technological infrastructure. Monitoring and maintenance, data back up, cybersecurity, consultancy and training are the key focuses.

Here is how Managed IT support measures up against key concerns for your organisation:

Factor	Managed IT Services
Support Approach	Your IT partners ensure issues are solved before they arise by looking for weaknesses in your IT infrastructure.
Cost Structure	Subscription based; you pay a consistent cost each month, giving you clear visibility over what you’re spending.
Monitoring	Your IT partners will monitor for issues, running updates and backing up data quietly in the background.
Response Time	Fast; in most cases, you’ll be spared costly downtime because issues will be addressed before they impact the business.
Security	Your IT partners help build a robust cybersecurity infrastructure, from training employees to creating business continuity plans for the worst case scenario.
Scalability	The amount of support you receive can easily be scaled up and down, depending on your needs.
IT Strategy	Your IT partner takes your organisation’s needs and priorities into account to develop digital workflows and solutions that improve day-to-day efficiency and productivity.

Managed IT Services is great for businesses with complex IT needs, like strict compliance regulations or tons of information to manage. Public sector businesses, law firms, healthcare organisations and large retailers are good examples.

Is Break/Fix really still relevant?

In most cases, break/fix has become an outdated support model. As more organisations embrace digital workflows and hybrid/remote working, it’s become crucial that IT support goes beyond maintaining the status quo.

Break/Fix support is a constant source of stress and anxiety for businesses with technology and processes that don’t go far enough. There are various challenges to address: unpredictable expenses, extended downtime periods hindering productivity, and little flexibility.

Most importantly, organisations that rely on reactive support are missing massive opportunities to work smarter than their competitors. With no one focusing on finding ways to innovate, it’s impossible to build an IT infrastructure that won’t break under strain.

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Future Proofing Your Organisation

Managed IT Services has become a necessity for businesses championing digital transformation.

Issues affecting workplaces have changed drastically in the last decade; between a massive shift to remote working, navigating AI usage and automation, and increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats, innovating has become paramount to staying afloat.

With proactive IT support, you can lean on the expertise of professional partners to help you build resilient IT infrastructures that weather decades to come.

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FAQs

Can a small business afford Managed IT Services?

Yes, a small business can afford Managed IT Services. In fact, if your budget for IT support is tight, Managed IT Services can work in your favour – with a subscription model, you have complete visibility over what you’re paying for, and can personalise your package to focus on the services you need the most.

What do Managed IT Services include?

When is break/fix still relevant or useful?

Who should use managed cloud services?

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Managed IT Services with Apogee

While there’s still a limited need for break/fix in 2026, Managed IT Services is the ideal support model for growing businesses.

With Apogee Corporation, the transition to Managed IT support is seamless. After a conversation about your goals and priorities, we’ll run an audit to determine the best strategy we can implement with your budget. Support continues long after implementation.

Explore Apogee’s Managed IT Services now

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