By Jack Parsons, Jr.
I've been in the IT business since 1984, back when I was in high school. With over 25 years of running METROGEEK, I've seen a monumental shift in how businesses handle their technology. Just a decade ago, most small businesses relied on a “break/fix” model: you had a computer problem, you called a guy, he came to your office, and you paid him to fix it. Today, the landscape is almost unrecognizable.
In fact, my team at METROGEEK began our migration to a Managed Service Platform in 2016, well before it became the industry standard. As a business owner, you're constantly making choices about how to run your operations. When it comes to technology, two critical decisions stand out: should you prioritize on-site or remote support, and are you using a reactive break/fix model or a proactive managed service provider (MSP)? What we've found is that the future of IT isn't about being physically present—it’s about being proactively prepared.
The Old Way: Break/Fix
The break/fix model is built on a simple premise: you call for a technician only when something is broken. This is a purely reactive approach.
- Pros:
- No Monthly Fees: You only pay for a technician's time and parts when you have a problem.
- Cons:
- Unpredictable Costs: A major system failure can lead to a large, unexpected bill.
- High Risk: A lack of proactive security and monitoring leaves your business vulnerable to cyberattacks and data loss.
- Downtime: Your business is at a complete standstill while you wait for a technician to respond and arrive, leading to lost productivity and revenue.
The New Way: Managed Services
Managed Services is a proactive solution. It’s like having a dedicated IT team that works behind the scenes to keep your systems running smoothly, secure, and up-to-date. Instead of waiting for a breakdown, an MSP uses tools to monitor and manage your systems 24/7.
- Pros:
- Predictable Costs: You pay a single monthly fee for comprehensive support.
- Increased Security: Continuous monitoring and patching prevent problems before they start, protecting you from modern threats like ransomware.
- Improved Productivity: Minimizing downtime and ensuring your systems are optimized keeps your team working efficiently.
- Cons:
- Perceived High Cost: Clients may feel they are "paying for what they don't use" during months with no issues.
- Lack of Flexibility: A fixed-rate plan can sometimes be too rigid for businesses with fluctuating needs.
Our Solution: The "Pay for What You Use" Hybrid
Many of our clients tell us, "I don't want to pay for what I'm not using." We hear you. That's why we’ve designed a flexible hybrid solution that combines the proactive benefits of managed services with the cost-efficiency of on-demand support. We call it our "Pay for What You Use" solution.
Here’s how it works:
- You pay a low subscription rate per workstation. This covers the essential tools and automated services that are working for you 24/7.
- When labor is actually needed, you pay a reduced labor rate. You are only paying for the hands-on time when you need it.
Your subscription includes crucial services like our Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), remote access for our team, and automated maintenance and monitoring. You can also add on other services like advanced cybersecurity and our Microsoft 365 solutions.
Pros and Cons of Our Hybrid Solution
Pros:
- Predictable Baseline Costs: You get the benefits of a managed service (24/7 monitoring, security tools) for a fixed, low monthly rate.
- Cost Efficiency: You avoid paying for a full-time, all-inclusive managed service plan during months with little to no issues.
- Flexibility: It gives you the option to scale your labor needs up or down, depending on your business cycle or a sudden IT emergency.
Cons:
- Variable Monthly Cost: Unlike a fixed-rate, all-inclusive plan, your total bill can fluctuate depending on how many hours of labor you need in a given month.
- Requires Trust: This model works best when there is a strong partnership and understanding between you and your IT provider, as it relies on clear communication about when labor is needed.
The Future is Proactive & Partner-Driven
As the IT services industry continues to grow, it's clear that the future is with proactive, remote-first partnerships. For B2B companies like ours, it's a win-win: we can provide top-tier, proactive security and support to our clients while they can focus on what they do best—running their business.
Your IT strategy shouldn't be about waiting for a problem. It should be about partnering with someone who’s watching your systems 24/7, catching issues before they start, and empowering you to grow with confidence.
That is the future of IT services, and it's the METROGEEK way.
