A break/fix service model is when an information technology (IT) provider solely delivers services based on when needed.
The name originated from the idea that when something breaks, an IT provider has to be summoned to fix it.
With the usage of this model, your IT provider would only be able to perform service as required to sustain normal network operations.
Such services include upgrades, installations, network management, repairs, and component management.
Once things are up and running again, the IT services provider takes a hands-off approach to the daily technology needs of your organization.
It is then up to your team to properly handle network operations, and you call them again when needed.
However, this break/fix mentality used to make sense. But not anymore, as it tends to restrict the success of your business. Let’s discuss why the break/fix model has lost its cause.
Why Running Technology on the Break/Fix Model is a Lost Cause
Hinders Overall Productivity
Once anything goes wrong with a break/fix IT service model and your network goes down, your team’s productivity is consequently impacted.
After that, you will have to contact your IT provider to describe the nature of the problem to them. Nevertheless, their availability to attend to your problem is dependent on their schedule.
Since your network issue is probably not their topmost priority, it may take them several hours or even days to get to you.
When they arrive, and it happens that they are not familiar with your IT system, it may take time for them to get acquainted with it before they finally start to tackle the problem at hand.
Meanwhile, every second an enterprise IT system remains down costs the business money.
During the period of network downtime, you and your workers would likely not be able to get any work done, and it could result in missed golden opportunities, lost revenue, and unsatisfied clients.
You could also lose specific important clients every time you experience downtime.
Unforeseen and Uncontrolled IT Expenses
The break/fix model does not allow a fixed time budget for IT needs, whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
This is because the break/fix is usually carried out case-by-case, that is, as it arises, and your network operations will always seem to be working perfectly.
As a result, you will always believe that no problem can appear anytime soon.
Unfortunately, at any time, any problem can arise from your network operations, and the cost of fixing it may be much higher than the amount you may have saved up for emergencies.
Though the break-in, fix-it service model may appear cost-effective at first, the realization will eventually hit that the cost of IT consultation, hourly labor, and repairs is highly significant.
In addition, the cost of your surprise and unpredictable IT expenses could be more frustrating when you fixed a problem not long ago and then another issue surfaces.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), this can feel like experiencing a disaster, especially without insurance.
As a matter of fact, uncontrolled IT expenses can bankrupt a company that highly relies on technology for operations.
And if you can not afford the cost of an emergency repair or replacement at a particular time, how will you be able to restore normal network operations that will help your business keep running?
Moreover, break-it, fix-it service providers benefit from IT problems.
The more callouts they have, the better for them since it may even be their primary source of income.
They will handle every problem on a case-by-case basis, leading to invoices with unpredictable costs.
Poor Network Performance
A break/fix model usually finds it difficult to search for ways to leverage the latest technology and optimize the performance of a network.
Instead, the performance and reliability of the network are always either static or worse over time because a network constantly calls for an increase.
Consequently, the poor performance of your network will lead to unhappy clients, dissatisfied employees, and ultimately reduced productivity.
Flaky Network
Apart from poor network performance, a break/fix service model also leads to an unreliable network.
It cannot usually identify ongoing upgrades and replacements and therefore cannot minimize the probability of a network outage or even a mere disruption.
A break/fix service model leaves you to guess if your network will go down or when your network will probably go down, so as to make necessary repairs.
Unreliable Security and Unexpected Data Loss
One of the risks attached to this technologically-linked environment is cybercrime.
Any perceived vulnerability from an online operation poses a significant danger to a company’s image and its collection of data, especially when they are aware that the company makes use of the break-it, fix-it model.
Hackers will most likely be on the lookout for the best time to commit their crimes.
Furthermore, too frequent network downtime can lead to losing critical data. And indeed, this could be a red flag to clients, preventing them from closing more deals with your company.
Managed Service Providers
As discussed in this article, the break/fix model is a reactive approach to maintaining information technology infrastructure, which is the summarized reason the model is a lost cause.
And it is not ideal for watching a critical component fail before you address it.
If your business heavily relies on technology, it is best to use a proactive approach to maintenance, security, updates, and help desk support through what is known as managed service providers (MSPs).
Managed Service Providers is directly the opposite of the break/fix model, which means you will be privileged always to get a consistent and reliable source of IT assistance, which will prevent you from experiencing constant network downtime that can shut your business down.