Trades companies work out of the shop, the truck and the job site. IT support for that usually comes one of two ways: you call someone after something has failed, or you pay a monthly plan that looks after your systems between those calls.
Break/fix still makes sense for some shops, and managed IT fits others. This page lays out the differences so you can decide which fits yours.
Our job-site IT checklist covers the same ground as a printable list. 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?
Backup and on-site work come with our Professional and Premium plans. Current prices are on the pricing page.
| Question | Break/fix | Managed (MSP) |
|---|---|---|
| When do you pay? | After something fails | A fixed monthly fee per user |
| Who watches systems between calls? | Nobody | Monitoring and patching included |
| Job-file backup | Arranged separately, if at all | Included on Professional and Premium |
| On-site when the shop needs it | Extra charge, if available | Included on our Professional and Premium plans |
| Best fit | One-off fixes, tiny footprint | Crews, multiple sites, files that must survive a lost phone |
When does break/fix still fit?
- A very small shop with one or two computers and not much change
- Good backups already in place, and someone in-house who keeps things updated
- A one-time project, with no need for ongoing support
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 someone watching your systems between problems
Where our plans fit
Essential, Professional and Premium are all managed plans. The pricing page has current per-user prices in Canadian dollars, plus GST.
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
Everything in Professional, plus advanced security, staff security training and IT planning.
Published websites for electrical contractors
- Able Electrical LTD is a Surrey electrical contractor. We rebuilt their website and branding and set up their local SEO. Able Electrical LTD website case study.
- Trends Electrical LTD is a Lower Mainland electrical contractor. We designed 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