Our Pricing Models for Managed IT Services
ScienceSoft provides clients with the maximum cost predictability during collaboration. We offer flexible pricing models and are ready to combine any of the following:
- Subscription-based services
- Fixed-price services
- Per-ticket fees
- Time and materials (T&M) approach
Minimizing Financial Risks with ScienceSoft
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How it might go |
How it goes with ScienceSoft |
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Risk #1: Hidden costs
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Some MSPs offer seemingly low prices. However, upon a closer look, this price may corresponding to low-tier services, while other activities are charged additionally. For example, a price is given for 12/5 L1 support. All the “extras” (24/7 time coverage, implementing software updates) are calculated on the T&M pricing model and cause unpredictable monthly spending. |
To calculate an accurate estimate based on the optimal pricing model, ScienceSoft identifies the real scope of work by assessing your infrastructure components and its users, defining time coverage, etc. |
Risk #2: Rigid service packages
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For example, a starter help desk package may include a certain number of L2 tickets, which a business doesn’t need at this point. |
We don't have standard packages bound to a rigid service scope, specific software platforms, or mandatory time coverage. Instead, we shape our services to suit each client's requirements, ensuring optimized costs for each case. |
Risk #3: Long-term contracts with exit costs
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Some providers insist on signing long-term contracts. On the one hand, it's reasonable: the longer an MSP deals with your infrastructure, the better they know it. However, some MSPs impose high exit fees, making it impossible for clients to switch to another provider without major financial losses. |
While a long-term contract benefits both parties, we don't insist on it. We are ready to sign a short-term agreement to let you test our strengths as an MSP. Besides, we don't have an exit fee as long as a client gives us a 30-day notice. |
Managed IT Pricing Models We Rely On
Subscription-based model
When and why:
This model gives clients maximum cost control by defining their monthly subscription fee, which excludes the chance of budgetary surprises. We calculate the fixed monthly payment by analyzing the scope of work, which usually depends on the number of users, infrastructure components, tickets, etc.
As a rule, a subscription is more cost-effective than paying for the hours actually spent by the support team or the number of tickets submitted during a month.
Perfect for:
- IT infrastructure management (data center and network management, software configuration, cloud resource optimization, etc.).
- Managed security services (security monitoring, regular vulnerability scanning, compliance management, etc.).
- L1–L3 help desk (resolving a specific number of tickets per month).
- A combination of several services described above.
Fixed-price model
When and why:
We recommend this model when a client needs us to handle a task with a clearly defined scope that can’t be divided into smaller portions over time. We calculate the final price in advance by determining the exact resources necessary for the task.
Perfect for:
- Application and infrastructure changes with a defined scope (shifting to a new firewall, setting up a small network, adding new app functionality with a defined scope, etc.).
- Cybersecurity (one-time or repeated penetration tests).
- One-time consulting services (tech stack selection, creating a risk mitigation plan for cloud migration, advising on app and infrastructure security measures, etc.).
Per-ticket model
When and why:
We recommend this model to companies with varying monthly volumes of help desk tickets. We charge the client based on the number of tickets processed and resolved within a specific period.
Perfect for:
- Help desk.
- Security incident detection and alerting (per incident).
Time and materials (T&M) model
When and why:
We use T&M when a customer’s requirements are subject to change due to the evolving IT environment or other factors. As it is hard to predict the exact scope of work, the cost is based on the number of hours our specialists spend on the given tasks, so the client only pays for the actual expended effort.
Also, to safeguard the client from unexpected expenses, we establish a cap — the maximum amount of hours ScienceSoft may charge for.
Perfect for:
- Large-scale infrastructure changes with undefined scope.
- Software evolution, redevelopment, bug fixing.
- DevOps and CI/CD setup.
- Knowledge transfer and training activities.
Mixed model
When and why:
We don’t confine our clients to one model — we are ready to mix several pricing approaches depending on the situation. For example, a client has a 24/7 infrastructure management subscription. At some point, the company needs to migrate a database or a web app to the cloud — for that, we apply the T&M model.
Perfect for:
- Several services at once.