Field trades run from the shop, to the truck, to the job site. IT support is either a call after something has already failed, or a monthly managed plan that covers the systems between those calls.
This page is an honest comparison. Break/fix still fits some shops. Managed IT fits others. It is not a dunk on break/fix.
It is written for owners comparing IT support in Surrey, BC, and managed coverage for crews who move around the Lower Mainland.
The same ideas show up on the job-site IT checklist. For what a managed plan includes day to day, see managed IT for electrical contractors.
How do break/fix and managed IT compare for field trades?
Same questions, two ways of paying for IT. Fuller Astro plans are the ones that add backup and on-site work. Current amounts are on the pricing page.
| Question | Break/fix | Managed (MSP) |
|---|---|---|
| When do you pay? | After something fails | Predictable monthly per user |
| Who watches systems between calls? | Nobody on contract | Monitoring and patching included |
| Job-file backup | Usually extra / your problem | Included on fuller plans |
| On-site when the shop needs it | Extra charge, if available | Included on fuller Astro plans (Professional+) |
| Best when… | One-off fixes, tiny footprint | Crews, multiple sites, files that must survive a lost phone |
When does break/fix still fit?
- Very small shop, 1–2 devices, low change rate
- Strong in-house backup and someone who patches
- One-time project only (no day-to-day outsourcing)
When does managed IT usually fit?
- Multiple trucks or personal phones holding company work
- Drawings, permits, and quotes must survive a lost device
- You want monitoring between emergencies
How do Astro plans map to break/fix and managed IT?
Essential, Professional, and Premium are all managed plans. None of them is break/fix. See pricing for the current per-user amounts in CAD. GST is added as that page shows.
Essential
Still managed IT: remote help desk, monitoring, and patching. Backup and on-site visits are not included.
Professional
Adds cloud backup and on-site support when the shop needs it, on top of Essential.
Premium
Includes Professional, plus the additional security and planning items listed on the pricing page.
Published websites for electrical contractors
- Able Electrical LTD is a Surrey electrical contractor. The public case covers their website, branding, and local SEO. Able Electrical LTD website case study.
- Trends Electrical LTD is a Lower Mainland electrical contractor. The public case covers their website and brand positioning. Trends Electrical LTD website case study.
Astro Developments · Surrey, BC · 778-895-6072 · https://astrodevelopments.ca
Book a free IT assessment: https://astrodevelopments.ca/contact?intent=msp#book