Break/Fix Technology Strategies Set Businesses Back

Imagine owning an elevator that you would only service if it broke down? Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, that’s exactly what businesses do when they rely on a break/fix IT strategy.

Break/fix IT means waiting until something goes wrong before calling in the experts. While this might seem like a cost-saving move, in reality, it’s a fast track to frustration, downtime, and lost revenue. Let’s break down why this approach makes no sense in today’s business world.

Downtime is Expensive

Think about all the things your business relies on technology for: email, customer management, transactions, inventory, communication. Now, imagine all of that coming to a screeching halt because a server crashed or your network went down. Every hour of downtime means lost productivity, missed opportunities, and unhappy customers. Fixing problems after they’ve already disrupted your business isn’t just inconvenient, it can be extraordinarily expensive.

Small Problems Turn Into Big Disasters

In IT, small issues rarely stay small. A minor security vulnerability can turn into a full-blown data breach pretty quickly. A slow system today could completely fail tomorrow. With a break/fix strategy, there’s no proactive maintenance, which means you’re always at risk of a minor hiccup turning into a major catastrophe.

Leaking Cash

Break/fix IT might seem cost-effective at first because you’re only paying for services when something goes wrong. When it does, however, the costs can be unpredictable. Emergency IT fixes are often more expensive than regular maintenance, and there’s no way to budget for them. You are at the mercy of your provider’s availability. Instead of a steady, manageable IT expense, you’re left dealing with unexpected costs that can seriously mess with your organization’s finances.

Security Risks Are Everywhere

Cyberthreats aren’t waiting for you to be ready. They are everywhere and are actively looking to undermine your attempts to subvert them. Hackers and malware exploit unpatched systems, outdated software, and weak security settings, all things a proactive IT strategy would address. A break/fix approach means your business is constantly on the defensive, only reacting to threats after they’ve already done damage. If you’re handling sensitive customer data, it can open up your business to a lot of problems, including legal action and breaches in compliance.

Technology Moves Fast 

Always keeping up with the latest tech trends is tough for any organization. For an SMB, it can be prohibitive to the efforts to turn a profit. Cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and more are constantly and rapidly changing. Businesses that rely on break/fix IT are always a step behind because they’re not regularly updating and optimizing their systems. Any business that employs a proactive IT strategy immediately enjoys a competitive edge instead of constantly playing catch-up.

What’s the Better Alternative?

Instead of break/fix, businesses looking to avoid downtime and stay ahead of their IT troubles should give the professional technicians at Preferred a call. Our approach is focused on preventing problems before they happen. Think of it as having a fully-equipped IT department that is actively monitoring, updating, and optimizing your technology so it is available and working when you need it. 

If you would like to talk to one of our consultants about what’s best for your business’ technology, give us a call today at 708-781-7110.