Why smart businesses are ditching break/fix for good

Picture this, you’re driving a car that only receives attention when it breaks down. Sounds risky, right? That's the approach many businesses take with their IT systems when they rely on reactive maintenance. In today’s fast-paced digital economy, where about 45% of businesses suffer unexpected downtime annually, the smarter move is preventative maintenance. It’s like having a top-notch mechanic fine-tune your car regularly, so it runs smoothly and never lets you down when you need it most.

Preventative maintenance, especially with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), aligns more closely with the needs of businesses in the UK and Jersey. It reduces downtimes by up to 40%, increases productivity by 25%, and ensures compliance with tough regulations like GDPR—a vital safeguard that could prevent fines which soared over €150 million in 2021.

Why reactive maintenance is out

The traditional break/fix model is like playing IT roulette: it might hold up today, but tomorrow could bring a costly breakdown. Here’s why reactive maintenance is becoming a thing of the past for savvy businesses:

• Emergency repairs can be three times more expensive than scheduled ones. More importantly, they come with high stakes due to the unpredictability and severe impact of downtimes, which can cripple operations and customer trust overnight.
• With reactive maintenance, every system failure poses a risk of data breaches and non-compliance penalties, especially under GDPR. These aren’t just operational headaches but financial nightmares, with fines that can hit the millions.
• New regulations become much easier to comply to, as your IT landscape is already modern, efficient and innovative.

The proactive power of preventative maintenance

Switching to an MSP for preventative maintenance isn’t just a safety measure—it’s a strategic upgrade.

Imagine having an IT guardian angel who not only fixes issues but anticipates them. That’s what MSPs do. They provide:

• 24/7 Monitoring: Like CCTV for your IT, constantly watching over your systems.
• Regular Updates and Patches: Keeping your IT ‘immune system’ strong against viruses and malware.
• Predictive Maintenance: Using data analytics to forecast and fix issues before they escalate.

Unlike the traditional break/fix service providers who stand to gain more during IT disasters, MSPs profit from the health and efficiency of your systems.

Their business model is based on preventing problems before they occur, which means their financial success is directly tied to providing you with a smooth, uninterrupted operation. This alignment of incentives is crucial for maintaining not just the performance but also the reliability of your IT infrastructure, ensuring that both parties strive for the same goal: operational excellence without disruptions.

What does an MSP actually do?

An MSP focuses on many aspects of your IT landscape, in short, they become your trusted IT advisor and guide.

You can find out more about the services we offer below:

• Governance: IT governance ensures that an organisation's IT strategies and systems align with its business goals. read more
• Security: We view the provision of security services not just as a task but as a core mission to protect and empower your organisation. read more
• Reliability: We understand the profound impact that IT reliability can have on your business's bottom line and operational success. read more
• Enablement: Our mission is to guide your team to digital excellence. read more

But I already have an IT team?

MSPs equip in-house staff with modern tools and advanced systems that streamline operations and enhance efficiency. By automating routine tasks and integrating cutting-edge technologies, MSPs free up your IT team to focus on strategic growth initiatives, and being a faster point of contact than the MSP.

Additionally, MSPs bring specialised expertise in areas like cybersecurity and compliance, fortifying your IT infrastructure against evolving threats and ensuring regulatory compliance. This collaboration not only accelerates IT processes but also broadens the capabilities of your IT operations, making it a vital strategy for maintaining competitive edge in the digital era.

The smart shift

In the competitive environments where business pace is relentless and compliance is critical, preventative maintenance isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. It’s about making a strategic decision to upgrade from a risky, costly break/fix model to a reliable, cost-effective, and compliant MSP model.

By choosing preventative maintenance, you’re not just avoiding problems; you’re enhancing performance, streamlining operations, and safeguarding your future. So, isn’t it time your IT maintenance got an upgrade?