Fractional IT vs a classic MSP provider

What fractional IT is

Fractional IT means you have one person who actually knows your system, your industry and your people. That person keeps a limited number of clients (usually up to 10), which guarantees depth of work and availability.

At ČrtaIT that person is Črt Kranjc: one person, one number, one responsibility. No tickets, no handing off between technicians, no foreign call centre.

What a classic MSP is

A classic MSP (Managed Service Provider) is an IT company with five to fifty employees, a ticketing system and a helpdesk. Your case is picked up by whoever is currently available. The system is optimised for volume, not for depth.

That model works for larger organisations where standardisation matters more than personal delivery. In small companies it often leaves you feeling like a number in a system.

When to choose which

A practical rule:

• Fractional IT: 1 to 50 employees, you want one person who knows you and clear pricing
• Classic MSP: 50+ employees, multiple locations, a need for a 24/7 helpdesk with several technicians
• Fractional IT: you value a personal relationship and a long term partnership
• Classic MSP: you value an SLA with guaranteed 24/7 response times

Frequently asked questions

• What if the fractional IT partner is ill or leaves? A professional fractional IT partner maintains complete documentation (passwords, systems, procedures) that is your property. If they drop out, handover to another provider is possible without data loss.
• Does fractional IT cover everything? For a standard small company IT environment (computers, Microsoft 365, security, websites) absolutely. For very specific systems (production lines, custom ERP) a combination with a specialist makes sense.
• How many clients does a fractional IT partner have? In my case a maximum of 10 at a time. It is a deliberate limit that guarantees I have time for every client.