When IT issues strike, who do you turn to? Many businesses see IT support and Managed IT as the same thing—but they offer two very different levels of service.

Think of it like maintaining a car. IT support is like calling a mechanic when your car breaks down—it gets you back on the road, but only after the damage is done. Managed IT, on the other hand, is like having a trusted mechanic regularly servicing your car, spotting issues before they cause a breakdown, and keeping everything running smoothly.

At razorblue, we take the proactive approach. Instead of waiting for problems, we prevent them. But what does that actually mean for your business? Let’s break it down.

What Is IT Support?

Traditional IT support, often called break-fix IT, is a reactive service. If something goes wrong—your systems crash, a device won’t connect, or you’re hit with a security breach—you call an IT support team to fix the problem.

This approach can work for smaller businesses with simple IT needs, but it comes with limitations:

Unpredictable costs – You only pay for help when something breaks, but those emergency fixes can be expensive and unplanned.
Downtime and lost productivity – When IT issues stop your business in its tracks, every minute waiting for a fix means lost revenue.
Short-term solutions – Break-fix IT focuses on solving immediate problems, rather than identifying the root cause to stop them happening again.

This model puts businesses in a constant cycle of IT firefighting—waiting for things to go wrong and then scrambling for a fix.

What Is Managed IT?

Managed IT takes a proactive and strategic approach to technology, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and fit for purpose. Instead of waiting for problems to occur, a Managed IT partner continuously monitors and maintains systems, reducing downtime and preventing issues before they escalate.

At razorblue, our Managed IT service provides:

24/7 Support – UK-based engineers are available around the clock, ensuring IT issues can be resolved whenever they arise.

Proactive Monitoring – Our systems automatically detect and resolve many issues before they cause disruption, helping to keep businesses running smoothly.

Transparent, Fixed-Cost Pricing – Support is fully inclusive, with no cap on support tickets and no additional charges for mileage on site visits, so costs remain predictable.

End-to-End IT Management – We cover everything from infrastructure and cybersecurity to connectivity and software, simplifying IT management under a single provider.

Account Management – A dedicated account manager provides guidance and ensures IT solutions align with business objectives.

Support for Internal IT Teams – Whether acting as a full outsourced IT department or providing additional expertise alongside an in-house team, services are tailored to fit business needs.

Solutions Architects – Managed IT Complete now includes a named solutions architect, working alongside your account manager to provide expert advice and technical competence.

Cybersecurity solutions – We have a number of fully qualified cybersecurity experts who work with clients to provide proactive solutions that prevent a breach from even happening in the first place.

Annual IT Strategy – Our service includes an annual IT strategy, a joint project delivered by your account manager and solutions architect, covering IT security, reliability, availability, productivity, end user devices, and more.

Deep Microsoft Expertise – Our team holds a record number of Microsoft certifications, ensuring high qualification standards and expertise in the technologies we manage.

Field Engineers – We have a dedicated team of field engineers based across the UK, reaching most locations within one hour and carrying commonly used spare parts to reduce downtime.

Contactability – Improved call answer times with an average of less than 8 seconds, and access to live chat rolling out from spring 2025.

Supportal – Our unique, internally developed client portal has been completely overhauled with more than 100 new features, enhancing user experience and service efficiency.

Real Human Guarantee – We guarantee you’ll always be able to speak to a human when you want to, without being forced to interact with AI assistants or chatbots.

Performance Driven – Our recent deployment of NinjaOne has allowed us to automate and monitor more tasks, improving standardisation and user experience. We also use Genesys, the world’s number one contact centre platform, to route calls and live chat sessions to the most suitable engineer based on interaction history and required skillset.

Rather than reacting to IT issues, Managed IT ensures technology is always working efficiently, allowing businesses to focus on operations without the distraction of ongoing IT problems.

Which One Is Right for You?

If your business only needs occasional IT fixes, traditional IT support might be enough. But if you rely on technology and want to avoid downtime, security risks, and unpredictable costs, Managed IT is the smarter investment.

At razorblue, we don’t just fix IT problems—we prevent them, manage them, and help your business get the most out of technology. With a team of highly skilled experts, industry-leading cybersecurity, and a proactive approach, we keep businesses across the UK ahead of the curve.

Want to stop firefighting IT issues?

Find out how razorblue can help your business reduce downtime, enhance security, and improve efficiency with a fully managed IT partnership. Get in touch to find out more about how our services can help your business thrive.