Every business handles IT somehow. These are the three most common models.

Break/fix

You call a technician when something breaks and pay for the time.

– Pros: no ongoing commitment, low cost if little goes wrong

– Cons: unpredictable bills, slow response, no proactive maintenance, and nobody responsible for the overall picture

In-house IT

You employ your own IT person or team.

– Pros: staff who know your business, on-site presence, and direct control

– Cons: salary and benefits, single points of failure (illness, vacation, resignation), limited range of skills, and difficulty covering after-hours

Managed service provider (MSP)

An external company manages your IT for a monthly fee.

– Pros: predictable cost, a team with many skills, proactive monitoring and security, documented processes, and coverage when individuals are away

– Cons: less day-to-day familiarity at first, and quality varies by provider

Quick comparison

	Break/fix	In-house	MSP
Cost pattern	Unpredictable	Fixed salaries	Predictable monthly
Proactive work	Rarely	Depends on capacity	Core feature
Skill range	Narrow	Narrow to moderate	Broad
Coverage	Business hours	Limited
Best for	Very small, low-risk	Larger, complex needs	Most small and mid-sized firms

A hybrid option

Co-managed IT lets an internal person handle daily matters while an MSP provides tools, security, after-hours coverage, and specialist help.

How to decide

Consider how much downtime costs you, how sensitive your data is, how many users you have, and whether you can find and keep skilled staff.

DBR Soft can walk you through the options and recommend what fits. Contact us for more information.