Before I launched Cranfield IT Solutions, I worked across a range of IT environments — from ad-hoc support setups to fully managed service providers, and even specialist IT roles in manufacturing 🏭💻.
And here’s what I learned about most (not all) managed IT providers I worked with:
👉 The glossy promises rarely matched the reality.
You’re promised proactive care, constant monitoring, and peace of mind
But here’s what often actually happens:
- 💸 You’re locked into monthly fees whether you use the service or not.
- 🔁 You get generic check-ins and automated updates that don’t solve real problems.
- ⏳ You wait in queues behind bigger clients while your issue quietly simmers.
- 📦 You’re tied to a one-size-fits-all plan that doesn’t reflect how you use tech.
- 📞 You’re told your systems are “monitored” — but when something goes down, who picks up the phone? You do.
- ❓ No one explains what’s actually being watched, or what “proactive” really means in practice.
- ❓ Your sold new tech because your told it’s what your business needs, it changes everything and causes more problems for your business than good.
And when you finally need help?
- 🧾 You’re met with ticket portals, SLA jargon, and support that feels more corporate than caring.
- 🚗 Need someone onsite? Expect a surcharge — or worse, no one available.
I’ve worked for an MSP where I was the only tech with a driving licence. That’s not proactive support — that’s a logistical nightmare dressed up as a service plan.
They’ll tell you break-fix support is outdated. That managed IT is the only way to stay protected. That monthly fees and monitoring are your safety net 🛟. They mention cyber security, and scare you with the risks.
But let’s be honest:
- ⚠️ Something breaks.
- 📞 You call.
- 🧾 You raise a ticket.
- ⏳ You wait.
Sound familiar?
That’s break-fix — just with a contract attached.
What you really want is fast, personal, expert help when you actually need it.
You want support that’s flexible, jargon-free, and tailored to your setup. You want someone who knows your systems, your quirks, and your priorities — not a faceless helpdesk.
You want to pay for value, not vague promises. You want results!
That’s why our Ad-hoc, Block Hour Support and Emergency Ad-Hoc Service are what you should be looking at.
🔧 Block Hour Support: No contracts. No fluff. Just expert help on tap.
Buy hours upfront, use them when you need. No expiry, no pressure. Whether it’s a remote rescue, a site visit, or a quick bit of advice, you’ve got priority access to real support — without the monthly drain.
- ✅ Predictable costs
- ✅ Use for remote or onsite support
- ✅ No contracts, No monthly fees draining your cashflow
- ✅ Ideal for home users, freelancers, and small businesses
- ✅ You stay in control.
It’s like having a trusted tech guru on standby — without the overhead.
🚨 Emergency Ad-Hoc Support: When tech hits the fan, we hit the ground running.
For those “I need help now” moments, our emergency service is built to respond fast. No waiting, no waffle — just clear, expert support when it matters most.
- ⚡ Rapid response – with same day appointments, evening and weekend.
- 🧠 Proper diagnostics, not guesswork
- 💬 Clear communication every step of the way
Whether it’s a crashed laptop, a rogue update, or a network meltdown, we’re here to get you back on track. You can use us just for one off jobs when you need. save yourself the ongoing monthly cost of a managed IT Contract.
If you’re tired of rigid contracts, slow responses, and support that feels more like a subscription than a solution…
Then we should have a chat.
Let’s make tech support feel personal to you and your business, practical, and actually useful.
Cranfield IT Solutions is here to keep your tech running smoothly, your stress levels down, and your business moving — all on your terms. We don’t push bloated packages or upsell things you’ll never use. We focus on what you actually need, skip what you don’t, and deliver expert support that’s clear, honest, and built around you.