Do you have a full-time IT staff on hand to take care of all your technology needs? If not, you may want to consider one of the three main types of IT services: internal IT, break/fix, or managed IT. Each service has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand what each one entails before making a decision.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the pros and cons of each type of service so you can make an informed decision about which is best for your business.
Internal IT Services
If you have a small business with a limited budget, internal IT services may be the best option for you. With internal IT, you will have a dedicated staff member or team who is responsible for all of your company’s technology needs.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of having internal IT includes having complete control over your technology, being able to customize your systems, and saving money on IT costs. The customizable options of internal IT can help your business as you can tailor your systems to fit your specific needs.
You will also always have someone on hand to help with any technical issues that may arise. Additionally, your IT staff will get to know your business well and can customize your systems to meet your specific needs.
Drawbacks
However, there are also some drawbacks to internal IT. These include having to train and manage your own staff, as well as being responsible for all of the necessary equipment. Additionally, internal IT can be a time-consuming and stressful task.
Internal IT can also be very expensive. If something goes wrong with your technology, you are responsible for fixing it. This can be a very costly endeavor, particularly if you don’t have the necessary skill sets among your internal staff.
Finally, with a solely internal IT team, your resources are very limited. As a small company, you won’t have the resources of bigger businesses or outsourced managed IT companies, which can leave your business vulnerable and behind the competition.
Break/Fix Services
If you’re looking for a more hands-off approach to IT, break/fix services may be the right choice for you. With break/fix services, you will only pay for the repairs that are needed.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of break/fix services include only paying for what you need and not having to worry about managing your own IT staff. This can be beneficial if you have a limited budget and don’t want to pay for a comprehensive managed IT service.
Drawbacks
Drawbacks to break/fix services include not having anyone on staff to help with your technology needs and being responsible for finding someone to fix your problems. Additionally, you may end up paying more in the long run if you have to constantly call someone to fix your technology.
A significant drawback of break/fix IT services is that all your IT services are reactive instead of proactive. Your break/fix provider is not incentivized to put any extra effort into improving your systems against future issues or cyber attacks. You’re also once again left without the resources that a managed IT service provider could supply.
Managed IT Services
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to IT, managed IT services may be the right choice for you. With managed IT services, you will have a team of experts who will manage all of your company’s technology needs acting as an extension of your team.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of managed IT services include not having to train or manage your own staff, as well as being able to save money on IT costs. In addition to saving money, managed IT services can help you keep your systems up to date and running smoothly.
Managed IT services are proactive, since your IT provider is incentivized to help your IT systems run smoothly; the fewer problems you have, the less time they’ll have to spend fixing them at no extra cost.
Managed Service Providers focus on preventative security and maintenance that helps you remain secure and competitive. Additionally, with MSP services, your IT costs always remain predictable.
Drawbacks
Drawbacks of Managed IT Services include not having complete control over your technology and being reliant on someone else to manage your systems. Not having complete control over your technology can be difficult because you will need to trust that the team you are working with knows what they’re doing.
However, when you find an IT partner you can trust, you’ll find your MSP can free up your time to focus on your business without having to worry about constant technology problems. Additionally, co-managed IT solutions allow your internal team to work in tandem with an MSP, giving you the best of both worlds with hands-on, in-house staff that know your business and the extensive resources and support of an external IT company.
Which Option is Best For Your Business?
If you’re not sure which approach to IT is right for you, reach out to a professional to help you decide. The right approach for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. Internal IT, break/fix services, and managed IT services all have their own benefits and drawbacks. Choose the option that will best meet your needs and budget.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us and we would be happy to chat with you about your specific needs. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your business.
