the hidden costs of break-fix IT support

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a reliable and efficient IT system is crucial for success. From managing daily operations to handling customer data, businesses heavily rely on technology to keep their operations running smoothly. However, when it comes to IT support, many companies opt for a break-fix approach, thinking it will save them money. But in reality, this type of support can end up costing more in the long run.

What is Break-Fix IT Support?

Break-fix IT support is a reactive approach to managing IT issues. This means that when a problem arises, a company will call an IT support provider to fix the issue. This type of support is typically charged on an hourly basis, and companies only pay for the services they use. While this may seem like a cost-effective solution, it can lead to unexpected expenses and hidden costs.

The Hidden Costs of Break-Fix IT Support
1. Downtime
When an IT issue occurs, businesses can experience significant downtime while waiting for the issue to be resolved. During this time, employees may not be able to access essential systems or software, resulting in lost productivity and potential revenue. With break-fix IT support, there is no guarantee of a quick response time, and businesses may have to wait for hours or even days for a resolution.

2. Emergency Rates
In urgent situations, break-fix IT support providers may charge emergency rates, which can be significantly higher than standard rates. This can quickly add up, resulting in unexpected and expensive bills for businesses. Additionally, emergency rates may not be budgeted for, and this can cause financial strain for small and medium-sized businesses.

3. Frequent IT Issues
With break-fix IT support, there is no proactive monitoring or maintenance of a company’s IT system. This means that underlying issues may go undetected, leading to frequent IT problems. These issues can be time-consuming and costly to fix, resulting in a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.

4. Lack of IT Strategy
Break-fix IT support is a reactive approach, and there is no long-term IT strategy in place. Without a plan in place, businesses may miss out on opportunities to improve their IT infrastructure and processes, leading to inefficiencies and higher costs in the future.

The Benefits of Managed IT Services

Unlike break-fix IT support, managed IT services take a proactive approach to managing a company’s IT system. With a fixed monthly fee, businesses can enjoy unlimited support without worrying about unexpected costs. Additionally, managed IT services offer 24/7 monitoring and maintenance, ensuring that issues are identified and resolved before they become significant problems. This results in less downtime and minimal disruption to business operations.

Managed IT services also provide businesses with a dedicated IT team that can develop a long-term IT strategy tailored to their specific needs. This includes implementing the latest technology, ensuring data security, and providing proactive maintenance to prevent future issues. With a reliable IT system in place, businesses can focus on their core operations and achieve their goals without worrying about unexpected IT costs.

While break-fix IT support may seem like a cost-effective solution, it can lead to hidden costs and unexpected expenses for businesses. With managed IT services, companies can enjoy a proactive and strategic approach to managing their IT systems without the worry of unexpected costs. At Gnosys Networks, we offer reliable managed IT services in Gainesville, FL, tailored to meet the unique needs of each business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive with our managed IT services.

Alex Thomas – Lead Installer

Alex is our lead installer. A graduate of the 4-year Santa Fe College Apprentices program electrician by trade with 13 years of experience, he lends his years of training and experience in installation and hardware deployment to allow Gnosys to tackle a wide variety of installation projects, literally doing the heavy lifting.

While Alex’s primary focus with Gnosys is network cabling and IP camera installation, he is always ready and willing to jump in wherever he is needed.
Alex continues to develop his skills and brings more and more to the table every day.

Alex spends his free time practicing martial arts, playing table top strategy and collectable card games. He also paints miniatures.

Valeria Galland – Web Designer

Val is our resident web designer. Originally from Barcelona Spain, Val moved to the U.S. at a young age and began a lifelong interest in technology. Graduating top 10% from Lincoln Park Academy in 2017 he earned her HS and IB Diploma, she immediately shipped off to Gainesville to continue her education.

Her ongoing education and longtime hobbies have given Val a large swathe of technology and computer experience, including 5 programming languages, 2 self-run websites, Adobe certifications. She continues adding more notches to her belt here at Gnosys.
While not actually a part of the tech staff, its not uncommon for Val roll up her sleeves and jump in to assist with trouble tickets.
In her free time Val organizes and participates in multiple D&D games, paints miniatures, plays several instruments and generally just likes hanging out with her one-eyed cat named Davy Jones.

While not physically with us in Gainesville, Val continues to contribute as though she were.

Daniel Knebel – Lead Support Technician

Allow me to introduce you to Daniel, our lead support technician.

Daniel is one of our front-line technicians making certain that when our clients have an issue, it gets taken care of as quickly as possible.

Daniel is also responsible to making certain that the tools we need to deliver the support are in place, up to snuff and optimized for best performance.

Daniel is a veteran of the US Navy where he served as a Nuclear Electronics Technician aboard the USS Eisenhower. The skills he acquired in the Navy combined with his natural aptitude for troubleshooting and problem solving make Daniel the guy when you need something figured out.

For fun, Daniel does all manner of things. Tabletop gaming, collectable card games, video games, disc golf and more. He is also the master of our resin printer, producing amazing prints.

Bradley Gilrane – Business Developer

Brad is our Business Developer and an integral part of our operations. He is responsible for new client acquisition and on-boarding as well as ensuring that our existing clients are satisfied with the support they are receiving.

Brad also assists in the development, testing and deployment of new service offerings.

Brad currently holds CJIS 3 certification and is working on his CompTIA A+ industry certification.

While a strong technician, Brad really shines at customer service. His focus on our client experience keeps a finger on the pulse of our business and makes certain that we are doing all we can do to deliver the service and support our clients deserve.

For fun, Brad plays a variety of video and table top games. He also enjoys science fiction and miniature painting

James Houston – System Support Manager

Meet James, our dedicated Support Manager. While he was born in Gainesville, Florida, he spent most of his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2008 he moved back to Gainesville with his family.

With 9 years of experience in Managed Services Delivery, James has a wide range of expertise and knowledge.
He is the beating heart of our support team. Focusing on ticket management, tech training and whatever projects come his way.

In his time at Gnosys, James has been instrumental our success, helping to create and improve systems and services, he has supervised projects ranging from small IP camera installations to huge cabling jobs.

James currently holds his CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ industry certifications as well as CJIS 3 certification. He is working toward several partner certifications and ITIL4.

His strength as a technician and determination to get the problem solved pair well with his dedication to making certain our clients receive the best possible support make him a valued asset.

When not at work, James enjoys a variety of card, table top and video games as well as painting miniatures.

Jim Houston: Owner

Jim was born in New Jersey but grew up in South Florida the son of a Dade County Deputy Sheriff. After serving 10 years in the US Army Special Operations Command he attended college at Murray State University and Washington University receiving a Master’s Degree in History.
After spending 10 years in Nashville, TN as Director of Information technology for Shoney’s corporation, Jim and his family returned to Gainesville where he founded PWH Technology Solutions, later rebranding as Gnosys Networks in memory of a friend that passed away at a very young age.

Jim has over twenty three years of IT experience with a focus in user support, virtualization and disaster recovery. He holds several industry certifications including MCSE, A+, Server + and Net +, as well as many software vendor specific certifications including Dell, VMware, 3CX, Seagate, GeoVision and EnGenius.

Jim spends his down time target shooting, playing tactical simulation games and wood working. He’s the proud owner Gnosys Networks

Are surprise IT expenses throwing off your budget?

Our predictable monthly pricing and proactive support model eliminate unexpected costs. At Gnosys, our motto is “No surprises. Ever.” With Gnosys, IT becomes a stable investment, not a financial wildcard.

Are you confident that your systems and data are truly secure?

Gnosys implements layered security including endpoint protection, patch management, and user training to defend against evolving threats. We continuously monitor your systems to ensure protection is always active and up-to-date. You’ll sleep better knowing your data is safe.

Does your team lack the compliance knowledge required to meet regulatory standards?

We work with regulated industries and understand the complexities of compliance requirements. Gnosys provides guidance, documentation, and system controls to help you meet standards like HIPAA, CJIS, CMMC, or NIST. Our expertise keeps you audit-ready and secure.

Are you uneasy about your current technology strategy?

We provide technology planning and regular reviews to make sure your systems align with your business goals. Gnosys takes the guesswork out of IT by giving you a clear, actionable plan. You’ll feel confident knowing there’s a roadmap and a team to guide you.

Is your IT team overwhelmed or stretched too thin?

We can plug into your existing IT structure wherever you need the most support, whether that’s taking over daily tasks like patching, monitoring, and helpdesk support, or stepping in to lead specific projects. Gnosys becomes a true IT partner, giving your internal team the freedom to focus where it matters most. Extra hands without extra headcount.

Do technical issues take too long to get resolved?

Our dedicated helpdesk and proactive monitoring ensure that issues are identified and resolved fast, often before you even notice them. Gnosys prioritizes fast, friendly support that keeps your team productive. No more waiting around for fixes.

Have your business needs outgrown the capabilities of your current IT provider?

We specialize in scalable solutions designed to grow with your business. Gnosys offers strategic planning, enterprise-grade tools, and responsive support that evolves with your needs. You’ll get the tech roadmap and expertise your growth demands.

Has your IT person recently left—or are they planning to leave soon?

Gnosys can step in immediately to stabilize your IT environment and prevent disruption. Our team provides comprehensive onboarding and takes over critical responsibilities with no downtime. You’ll never have to rely on a single point of failure again.