When something breaks, you call someone to fix it. Simple, right? That's the break-fix model, and on the surface it looks like the cheapest way to handle IT. You only pay when there's a problem.
But here's what that math misses: the cost of the problem itself.
What Break-Fix Actually Costs
Every time a system goes down, the meter is running in ways that don't show up on the repair invoice:
- Downtime losses. Employees can't work, customers can't buy, and operations grind to a halt. For most small businesses, an hour of downtime costs anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000+.
- Emergency rates. Break-fix technicians charge premium rates for urgent issues. A problem at 4pm on a Friday? That's after-hours pricing.
- Data loss risk. Without proactive backup monitoring, a hardware failure can mean lost files, lost records, and costly recovery efforts — if recovery is even possible.
- Security gaps. No one is watching for threats between incidents. Patches go uninstalled, antivirus goes unmonitored, and vulnerabilities pile up silently.
How Managed IT Changes the Equation
Managed IT flips the model from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for things to break, a managed provider monitors your systems around the clock, applies updates, and catches small issues before they become big ones.
The key differences:
- Predictable monthly cost instead of surprise invoices
- 24/7 monitoring catches problems before your team notices them
- Regular patching and updates close security gaps automatically
- Strategic planning helps you budget for upgrades and avoid emergency replacements
- Faster response times because your provider already knows your environment
The Real Comparison
When you factor in downtime, emergency rates, security incidents, and lost productivity, most businesses find that managed IT costs less than break-fix — and delivers dramatically better uptime and peace of mind.
The businesses that thrive aren't the ones with the fewest IT problems. They're the ones whose IT problems get solved before anyone notices.