In this article
The price of managed IT services depends on measurable factors: number of workstations and servers, service level (SLA), infrastructure complexity and services included. At DataRoad - IT Services and Consulting, IT Unlimited plans start from €395 (Essential), €750 (Premium) and €1,200 (Premium 365) per month + VAT, with the final figure set out in writing in the proposal.
Three ways to pay for IT
| Model | How it works | Weak point |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly retainer | Fixed monthly fee for a defined scope, with priority handling | Requires the scope to be well defined from the outset |
| Hourly or hour bundle | You only pay when you use it | Unpredictable and with no prevention |
| Per workstation or user | The fee tracks the number of computers or people managed | Needs an up-to-date inventory |
In the Portuguese market, the three models often appear in combination. The retainer is the most common.
What pushes the price up or down
- Size Number of workstations and servers.
- Service level Shorter response times and extended cover cost more; 24/7 support is only available on Premium 365.
- Complexity Cloud, multiple sites, specialist software.
- Scope Whether cybersecurity, backups, monitoring and supplier management are included.
That is why two companies of the same size may pay different amounts.
Retainer or hourly: which pays off?
For a company that depends on IT, a retainer almost always pays off. The hourly model looks cheaper, but it only acts after a failure, and every hour of downtime carries a hidden cost in productivity. A retainer includes prevention and monitoring, reduces incidents and avoids emergency invoices.
DataRoad IT Unlimited
Talk to DataRoad. We assess your operation and propose the right plan.
How to compare proposals
Compare the scope, not just the price. A very cheap proposal usually leaves out the essentials.
- Is the SLA in writing, with response and resolution times?
- Does it include tested backups and cybersecurity?
- Are on-site visits included or always extra?
- Is there a lock-in period?
The IT Unlimited plans
- Essential, from €395/month + VAT From 10 workstations; remote and telephone support; no on-site visits.
- Premium, from €750/month + VAT Unlimited on-site support.
- Premium 365, from €1,200/month + VAT Unlimited on-site support, plus nights, weekends and public holidays.
Annual contract, automatic renewal, 60 days' notice and no lock-in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a retainer?
It varies greatly with workstations, services and SLA, so any generic figure is misleading. The right approach is a proposal based on your situation, with a well-defined scope; the “from” prices above serve as a reference.
Can small companies have a retainer too?
Yes. At DataRoad, plans start at 10 workstations and scale with the number of users, at a fixed and predictable cost.
Is there a lock-in?
It depends on the provider. DataRoad does not require a lock-in: the contract is annual, with automatic renewal and 60 days' notice.
What would it cost for your company?
Request a no-obligation proposal, tailored to your case. More than 10 workstations · support contract · remote, on-site and telephone support.
