How To Pay For IT Support: Is Fixed Price Best?
If you’re trying to run an IT-dependent business, you’ll need a reasonably accurate prediction of your costs. However, there’s no way of knowing when your IT hardware will break down. Can you be certain that software, servers and networks will be as reliable tomorrow as they are today?
Naturally, no, and that uncertainty is why IT support can be difficult to budget for. Most IT support contracts are of the “break-fix” type: if something goes wrong, you foot the cost.
However, it’s now possible to arrange fixed price IT support instead, which helps you avoid that dilemma.
Here are the four good reasons for opting for fixed-price instead of break-fix support:
Straightforward budgeting
When IT issues arise, you won’t need to call the bank manager before you ring your IT support company for help. It’s a simple decision to call on your computer engineers when you know that the price you’ll pay is the same no matter the complexity of your IT problem.
Same standard of support for each client
You don’t have to wonder whether the company down the road with deeper pockets is receiving a higher level of IT support than you. Fixed price support reassures you of a uniform level of dedication from your computer experts on call.
No invoice worries
No matter how much support you need, your accountants can rest assured that they won’t receive next month’s invoices and faint because of the amount. The ‘no nasty shocks’ aspect of IT support at fixed prices is why finance directors love this kind of contract.
Covers all your extras
Don’t be shocked if most IT support companies charge separately for any ancillary items causing the problem: USB drives, wireless keyboards and so forth. By contrast, on a fixed-price support contract it’ll be clear from the start what IT equipment and software is covered, usually including ancillary items as well.
Finding a fixed-price IT support company
You might find genuinely fixed price IT support hard to track down. But if you appreciate the ability to budget with no dramatic costs on the horizon, it’s well worth taking a look at fixed price IT support.