Managing IT expenses effectively is crucial for businesses to maintain a competitive edge. However, many fall victim to technical debt and bait-and-switch tactics employed by traditional Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Unlike these MSPs, Bridgehead IT offers a full-service technology consulting approach that ensures sustainable cost savings and optimal performance – without the long-term contracts. The pitfalls of technical debt and bait-and-switch practices cost businesses significant capital each year. Technical debt amounts to 20% to 40% of the value of an organization’s entire technology estate before depreciation. [1]
Understanding Technical Debt
Technical debt refers to the long-term costs and inefficiencies that arise from quick-fix solutions and suboptimal technology choices. Tech debt is also largely made up of not investing in the tech for years. The “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mentality. Thus, businesses often accumulate technical debt when they prioritize short-term gains over long-term stability, leading to increased maintenance costs, reduced productivity, and security vulnerabilities. Studies estimate that the average organization wastes between 23% and 42% of their development time on technical debt. [2]
Technical debt can accumulate for various reasons, often stemming from the need to balance short-term project demands with long-term software quality. Some of the common causes include outdated technologies, information silos, and lack of experience.
The Bait-and-Switch Tactics of Traditional MSPs
Traditional MSPs often lure businesses with attractive initial offers, only to switch to more expensive services once the contract is signed. This bait-and-switch tactic can result in unexpected costs and subpar service quality, further exacerbating technical debt. Approximately 30% of CIOs believe that more than 20% of their technical budget, which is ostensibly dedicated to new products, is diverted to resolving issues related to technical debt. [1]
Common signs of bait-and-switch practices include:
- Hidden Fees: Unexpected charges for services that were initially promised as part of the package.
- Limited Support: Reduced service levels and support once the contract is in place.
- Outdated Technology: Continued use of outdated or incompatible technologies that require frequent upgrades and maintenance.
- Lack of Proactive Maintenance: No regimented maintenance routines to handle hardware cycles or software patching.
Our Comprehensive Approach to IT Expense Management
Bridgehead IT takes a different approach by providing comprehensive IT expense management that focuses on long-term cost savings and optimal performance. On average, Bridgehead IT saves its clients 59.4% by eliminating technical debt following a comprehensive assessment and elimination of ‘tech trash’. Our approach is to conduct thorough assessments to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize communication systems. Similarly, Bridgehead IT saves its clients 31.4% and 42.8% on software and cloud costs respectively. By evaluating software usage, and licensing to eliminate unnecessary expenses and optimizing expenditures to align with business demands we ensure cost efficiency.

Why Choose Bridgehead IT For IT Expense Management
By partnering with Bridgehead IT, businesses can avoid the pitfalls of technical debt and bait-and-switch tactics. Bridgehead IT’s full-service technology consulting ensures:
Efficient Deployments: Bridgehead IT’s professional services deliver efficient project deployment to ensure your technical debt is lowered not raised.
Transparent Pricing: Clear and upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
Comprehensive Support: Consistent and high-quality support throughout the partnership.
Future-Proof Solutions: Adoption of the latest technologies and best practices to minimize technical debt.
The Takeaway
Technical debt and bait-and-switch tactics can significantly impact a business’s bottom line and operational efficiency. Revenue Growth Correlation reveals that companies in the 80th percentile for managing technical debt (Tech Debt Score) have revenue growth that is 20% higher than those in the bottom 20th percentile and 10% higher than the average. [1]
Bridgehead IT’s expertise in IT expense management provides a reliable and sustainable solution, delivering substantial cost savings and optimal performance. Contact Bridgehead IT today to learn how we can help your business achieve its IT goals and avoid the common pitfalls of traditional MSPs.
References
[1] A new standard to measure and tame technical debt | McKinsey
[2] Measuring And Managing Technical Debt – Forbes