IT services are a reality for pretty much any business these days. We live in an always-online world, and technology needs constant care. But how do you know when it’s time to graduate from a pay-as-you-go model to a trusted, strategic IT partner?

In late 2023, Hill Country Tech Guys onboarded a large property management company with more than 40 properties. They were growing fast, but their IT support wasn’t keeping pace. What resulted was frustration fueled by chaos.

Their former IT provider operated on a break-fix model: no proactive monitoring, no patching, no strategic guidance. Their network was outdated, unsupported, and physically a mess. They had clearly outgrown the break-fix model; it was costing them more than it was helping them. Maybe your business has outgrown this model, too.

What is Break-Fix IT and When Does it Fall Short?

Break-fix generally refers to a pay-as-you-go model. This model is ideal for smaller or newer companies, as you only pay for what you need. When things are running smoothly, you won’t hear from your break-fix IT company. When a device stops working, a printer stops printing, or a network stops functioning, you reach out and are charged either a per-incident or (usually) an hourly rate.

It worked at first, but as their business scaled, so did the complexity of their network and the risks of downtime. They needed more than a bandage, and you might too.

Top Signs Your Business Has Outgrown Break-Fix IT Services

You’re constantly putting out fires:

The property management staff was frustrated with slow computers, printers that didn’t print, and spotty Wi-Fi. While these problems can be unavoidable, they shouldn’t be part of your day-to-day. You have bigger things to worry about than printers.

You’re operating blind:

There was no reporting, no visibility into system help, and no guidance on what needed to be replaced or upgraded. They didn’t have a partner; they had a reactive service that only did the troubleshooting. You should be able to clearly see and understand the value that your IT partner brings to your company. Without clear reporting, delivered on a scheduled basis, how can you truly know what’s happening?

Your infrastructure is outdated or out of warranty:

Their network closets were disorganized; their hardware was unsupported. No one had touched the patching schedule in who knows how long. They weren’t just flying blind they were unsecured. A growing business needs up-to-date infrastructure. You also need a partner who can install and maintain that hardware so you can remain secure and compliant.

You’re growing but your IT can’t keep up:

Managing 40+ properties takes coordination and uptime. Their IT setup was slowing them down tremendously. You need a partner that can keep up with you, help you see and reach the next steps on your journey.

The Managed IT Difference: What They Got with Hill Country Tech Guys

Managed IT means you have an ongoing relationship, usually with a managed service provider, like Hill Country Tech Guys, that provides you with ongoing support, monitors your network and devices, and does routine maintenance like updates and patches.

Hands-On Onboarding

We spent weeks in their network closets and business offices organizing cables, standardizing hardware and equipment, updating firmware, and cleaning up the chaos. We also spent time talking to people, getting to know them, and finding out how their business runs best so we could tailor our support to meet their needs.

Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)

Their account manager with Hill Country Tech Guys meets with them quarterly to review:

• Ticket trends
• Common issues that may be costing them time or money
• Budget planning for hardware lifecycle
• Strategic improvements

Now, their leadership has a clear picture of where their technology is and how it will support taking their business to new heights.

24/7 Monitoring and Proactive Maintenance

Issues are identified and resolved before they become problems. Their team can focus on tenants and property management, not tech headaches.

The Results: Less Stress, More Productivity

Today, their systems are up to date, documented, and running smoothly. Their team no longer loses time on avoidable issues. They’re equipped to grow, and their It strategy grows with them.

In fact, since they’ve onboarded with us, they’ve added an additional six properties. All of which Hill Country Tech Guys has standardized and reorganized to help them keep growing, securely.

Break-Fix Got You Started, But It Won’t Get You to the Next Level

If your business is facing similar frustrations, it might be time to level up from break-fix IT. Managed services give you more than tech support. They give you peace of mind, predictability, and the freedom to focus on your business.

Ready to graduate from break-fix IT? Let Hill Country Tech Guys focus on your technology needs so you can focus on what you do best.