What’s the Difference Between Break/Fix IT Support and Managed Services?

If your IT approach is “call someone when it breaks,” you’re not alone—but you might be putting your business at risk. While break/fix IT support may seem cost-effective at first, it can quickly become unpredictable, inefficient, and expensive.

That’s why more Texas businesses are switching to managed IT services—a proactive, all-inclusive approach that simplifies your IT and keeps systems running smoothly around the clock.

Let’s break down the key differences between these two models so you can decide what’s best for your business.

What Is Break/Fix IT Support?

Break/fix support is a traditional model where you only call an IT technician when something goes wrong. You pay by the hour (or per incident), and there’s no ongoing relationship or monitoring between issues.

Pros:

• No monthly contract

• Pay only when problems arise

• May work for very small or non-critical systems

Cons:

• Unpredictable costs

• Reactive, not proactive

• No monitoring, security, or planning

• Downtime can be long and costly

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed services take a proactive, long-term approach. Instead of waiting for something to fail, your systems are constantly monitored, maintained, and supported by a dedicated IT team. You pay a fixed monthly fee for comprehensive coverage.

Included services often cover:

• 24/7 monitoring and issue prevention

• Help desk and remote support

• Backup and disaster recovery

• Cybersecurity tools and training

• Strategic IT planning and consulting

Key Differences: Break/Fix vs. Managed IT

Why Texas Businesses Are Moving to Managed Services

At Terminal B, we’ve helped dozens of businesses transition from break/fix frustration to reliable outsourced IT management. When you invest in proactive support, you:

• Reduce downtime with faster response times

• Protect your data with built-in cybersecurity

• Simplify your IT with a predictable monthly cost

• Get strategic insight instead of just tech fixes

• Stay compliant with industry-specific IT standards

Whether you’re a small business owner in Austin or a growing firm in Central Texas, the managed IT model ensures your tech supports your goals—not the other way around.

Make the Switch Before Something Breaks

If you’re still relying on break/fix support, it’s only a matter of time before a small issue becomes a big problem. With Terminal B’s managed IT services, your systems stay monitored, protected, and aligned with your business goals—every day.

Ready to simplify your IT in Texas? Reach out to Terminal B and let’s build an IT solution that works for you, not against you.