If you run an office in India, you've probably been offered a computer AMC — an annual maintenance contract. More IT companies now also offer managed IT services. They sound similar, but they work very differently. Here's how to tell which one your business actually needs.
What is an IT AMC?
An AMC is a yearly contract to maintain your computers, printers, servers and network equipment. It typically covers scheduled preventive-maintenance visits, repair of covered hardware and a number of breakdown calls. Spare parts may or may not be included — always check the fine print.
In practice, an AMC is break-fix support with a yearly price: when something stops working, you call, and an engineer comes.
What are managed IT services?
Managed IT is proactive. The provider monitors your systems continuously, applies security updates, manages backups and security, supports your staff and plans improvements — usually for a fixed monthly fee. The aim is fewer breakdowns in the first place. We explain it in detail in Managed IT services for small businesses.
AMC vs managed IT: side by side
| IT AMC | Managed IT services | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Reactive — fix when broken | Proactive — prevent problems |
| Billing | Yearly, usually per device | Monthly, per user or plan |
| Monitoring | Usually none | Continuous, with alerts |
| Security updates | Sometimes | Included |
| Backups | Rarely included | Managed and tested |
| Cloud & email | Usually not covered | Usually covered |
| Best for | Simple, stable setups | Businesses that rely on IT every day |
When an AMC makes sense
- Your setup is simple — a few PCs and a printer.
- Your main worry is hardware breaking down.
- You rarely add or change systems.
When managed IT makes sense
- Downtime directly costs you orders or production.
- You run a server, ERP or Tally shared by several users.
- You use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or cloud servers.
- You need backups and security handled properly.
- You're adding staff or opening new branches.
Can you have both?
Yes — and many businesses do. A common setup is managed IT for servers, network, security, email and cloud, with hardware covered by an AMC or the manufacturer's warranty. We offer both, so you only pay for the coverage you need.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which devices and systems are covered — and which aren't?
- Are spare parts included?
- What is the response time for a breakdown?
- How are backups and security updates handled?
- Will we get a monthly report?
- What happens if we want to cancel?
Frequently asked questions
What does AMC stand for in IT?
Annual Maintenance Contract — a yearly agreement to maintain and repair covered IT equipment such as computers, printers, servers and network devices.
Is managed IT more expensive than an AMC?
Month to month it can cost more, but it usually reduces downtime, emergency call-outs and the risk of data loss — which is where the real costs are.
Does InfraDecoded offer AMC?
Yes. We offer annual maintenance contracts as well as monthly managed IT plans, and can combine the two.
Not sure which one you need?
Tell us about your office — we'll recommend an AMC, managed IT or a mix of both, with a fixed quote.