A break fix model refers to only calling in professional IT services if there is a problem in an IT system, or when an upgrade is required. It sounds like a good idea on paper, but there are plenty of disadvantages to using a break fix model for your IT. The IT industry is filled with people who understand that the break fix model is outdated, ineffective and should not be used anymore. It is for this reason that most companies are using managed services rather than a break fix model for their IT.

A managed service provider is a third-party IT provider that can manage the IT needs of a company from a distance, and they can often do it 24/7. The services of an MSP range from 24/7 security monitoring to IT software upgrades when they are necessary. So, what are the reasons you should not use a break fix model for data backups and other IT fixes?

Disadvantages of The Break Fix Model

The cons of a break fix model typically outweigh the advantages of using one. Some of the disadvantages of a break fix model include:

• High Costs. When you use a break fix model, you get charged for every consultation, repair and hour spent on labor. It is not easy to budget for this type of fix for your IT, and you can’t predict when your system may break down or when there may be holes in the system. With the break fix model, you leave yourself wide open to costs you would not be able to cover.
• No Prevention. You can only call in the experts case by case, which means that you have no preventative measures for your IT. You cannot expect that they would put in any measures that prevent you from needing to call them again without a more advanced managed service.
• Lax Security. With no one monitoring your systems 24/7, you will not know if there are any hidden issues that are buried, as no one is looking for them. With a managed service provider, this is not a problem.

Why Choose Managed Services

Managed services offer your business far more than a break fix model ever could. Alongside all of the advantages out there, a managed service provider gives you the access you need to a team of IT experts at all times. There are plenty of advantages to using managed services over break fix, and these include:

• High Security. You have IT experts watching your systems day and night when you are using a managed services provider. They look for threats and irregularities, with potential threats immediately squashed. If you are not open and there a security issue with your business systems, a managed service provider has the software to keep your business safe no matter what.
• Preventative Care. Managed service providers do so much more than monitor and resolve any issues. They work to prevent any issues happening in the first place. MSPs use cutting edge technology to make sure that you have the proper care against potential threats and damages that could affect your business.
• Updates & Upgrades. The updates for your computer systems are important if you hope to keep up with the competition. Managed services providers work to ensure that software remains up to date, with regular data backups and refresh schedules. On top of that, a good managed service provider will manage third-party apps and upgrade those, too.
• Support. Unwavering IT support is a must for a business, and a managed services provider can give you exactly that. You can access IT support 24/7/365 whenever you need to. You can reach out to discuss scaling your business, too, and a managed services provider will work with you to make this happen.
• Costs. Unlike the break fix model, a managed services provider comes with predictable costs. Each month, you can budget for your IT needs and not worry about surprise costs coming out of the woodwork. You can work with a plan that fits the needs of your business.

Choosing A Managed Service Provider

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which is the best for your business. The break fix model is not the optimum way to go for your business if you want it to succeed. You need to have someone working with you at all times to manage your IT, repair breaks and prevent further issues. You will only find this with the best managed services provider around. Give us a call for a free consultation.

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The introduction of video conferencing technology enables us to have remote meetings without having to leave the house and the office. While we prefer to meet in person and allow a conversation to flow, we also appreciate being able to utilize this technology while dealing with lockdown! Below, we have put together a mini analysis of some of the top video conferencing software options out right now. You need video conferencing software that is going to embrace the newest technology and convenient access to your next remote meeting. So, lets check out the best!

Zoom

Zoom was solidified as a leader in video conferencing technology in 2019. There have been some privacy concerns lately with Zoom, but it’s got the conferencing software that enables both one to one sessions and group video conferences. Zoom has proven to be a leader in video meetings with up to 1,000 people at a time, and it does very well with up to 50 screens at the same time! You can choose to use Zoom with the app or via a web browser, and with end to end encryption, it’s designed for safety. The calendar system integrates easily with the meeting invitations, which means that you can schedule meetings easily with others. Zoom can be used for free, but it’s only for 1:1 meetings. The group meetings are limited to 40 minutes, and you can only host up to 40 people. If you want to pay for Zoom, you can pay $15 a month and scale right up the Business and Enterprise Plans.

Pros

• Conducts live video chats easily
• Offers tiered payment plans
• Access live, in-depth support
• Has an on-screen whiteboard feature.

Cons

• Can be expensive depending on the tier you use
• Video quality isn’t always great
• Has been known to fail in security.

Zoho Meetings

Zoho has been around for almost 25 years, and in that time has grown massively, with 50 million people using it worldwide. Zoho Meetings offers users the chance to host training sessions, webinars, and online meetings. The plans are cheap, starting low at $10 per host a month. The price is excellent as it includes support that covers up to 100 people, and it also stores up to 10 recorded meetings. This gives you the chance to keep hold of valuable information as you need it. Zoho is based on the browser if you on a PC or a Mac, and there are no downloads required when you use it. There are even in-session chat and audio participants that can be added for an additional cost. Zoho is a GDPR-compliant option, and there are excellent privacy tools for moderators to use. Zoho can integrate with Google Calendar, too, but it’s better for businesses that have the Zoho CRM.

Pros

• Cheap, which is excellent if you don’t want to spend too much at first.
• You can set reminders for important meetings
• The Zoho CRM makes it exceptionally easy to connect.

Cons

• Will log out a user when there is a dip in usage
• Integrating with the CRM can be complex
• Requires support help to create reports

Google Hangouts

Google does so many different things for different people. From email and instant messaging to documents and more, Google has brought Hangouts Meet – the business side of the meeting online. Purely for G Suite subscribers, Google Hangout Meet will allow video conferences and even allow outsiders to log in. It’s designed to work in Chrome more than any other platform, and if you have a business that uses Google for most things, you need Hangout Meet to complete the set and give you the video conferencing you need.

Pros

• Excellent for casual chatting
• Promotes conversation face to face between coworkers
• Allows the sending of images and gifs

Cons

• Doesn’t enable group chatting
• Requires excellent internet connection

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft teams is part of the Office 365 suite and is one of the most widely used enterprise video conferencing tools on the market today. Backed by the one of the biggest names in the tech industry there aren’t many things teams leaves the user left desiring.

Pros

• Conducts live video chats easily
• Access to enterprise level support from Microsoft
• Supported as part of managed services from many IT providers
• Allows sharing of the screen from presenters

Cons

• Not the most user friendly
• Requires excellent internet connection

Cisco Webex

Cisco Webex is part of the Cisco family of products and is certainly of the enterprise level when it comes to quality and features. It has three price ranges that will depend on the number of participants required in meetings. It even has an offering that can support a meeting with up to 1000 participants.

Pros

• Low bandwidth requirements
• High quality video and audio
• Access to enterprise level support from Cisco and your IT provider
• Allows sharing of the screen from presenters plus many more sharing options

Cons

• Can be a bit clunky for basic users
• Pricing is not the cheapest
• Inability to create meetings on behalf of another user

Although there are many more pros and cons of each, we wanted to touch on some of the main things we have seen with several of these products. If your business is in need of an IT provider to help you navigate using and supporting these software’s, please don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact page.

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1. Data Backup Plans

Businesses should aim for success while planning for failure. Indeed, using data backup plans is detrimental to the recovery of your business files in case of an unexpected disruption. Because you can’t afford to lose your data, you need to invest in secure data storage that you can recover easily and rapidly. According to experts, 70% of all businesses experience data loss as a result of human error, hardware failure, data breach, and natural disasters. Your data backup strategy is the emergency plan that maintains continuity in the event of a data loss or corruption.

2. Scalable Email Software/Hosting

Microsoft Outlook Office 365 is one of the most famous email clients. It allows your team to manage emails, tasks, and calendar events across multiple devices.  Your team needs a tool that makes it easy to filter emails, search through a large volume of data, and create automated rules for sending, receiving, or organizing your mailbox. Microsoft Outlook Office 365 is not only one of the most popular choices on the market today, it is also surprisingly affordable.

3. Reliable Phone System

You need to make sure your team is reachable throughout the day. However, when your day grows, the operational costs for phone systems can be difficult to manage. VOIP is not only a tech solution that makes calls cheaper altogether, but that also provides a secure and portable solution for your entire team. Indeed, receiving calls from multiple devices ensures team members who work remotely can be connected to the same system.

4. Updated Computers & Tablets

Investing in new computers and tablets is not a vanity cost. More recent devices run updated operative systems that can deploy the latest and most relevant security patches. As such, your IT assets are more likely to be protected against cyber-attacks. Additionally, old devices may not be compatible with modern software tools, affecting your team performance and productivity. Remote employees also should receive the latest equipment for security and connectivity reasons.

5. Good Internet Connection 

In 2020, you need to have a good internet connection. Unreliable WiFi and a saturated broadband connection can create unnecessary downtime and slow your team down. Additionally, essential everyday functions rely on your good internet connectivity, from data storage to a VOIP phone system. Your employees and your customers don’t want to wait for you to upgrade your Internet solution. Get better now or lose them forever.

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