What Are Co-Managed IT Services?

More than 600,000 new businesses are formed in the United States each year. Unfortunately, not all of these have staying power in their industries. One of the most important aspects of running a business is choosing the right managed IT services company.

However, many people are unfamiliar with the benefits they can experience from co-managed IT services. We’ve created a brief guide that has key information you need to know.

Let’s take a deeper look at co-managed IT.

Co-Managed IT Services Defined

Co-managed IT services are a partnership between a managed service provider (MSP) and an internal team. The MSP will provide the technical expertise, support, and resources necessary to maintain your IT infrastructure. The internal team will be responsible for making sure that all areas of the company are working together efficiently.

In context, this type of IT service functions as an outsourced IT department. The MSP will manage the day-to-day operations of your network and ensure that everything is running smoothly. The internal team focuses on strategic initiatives and long-term goals.

The Benefits

Your MSP will handle the management of your IT environment. This will free up time and resources that would otherwise be spent maintaining it. It also allows the internal team to focus on the core aspects of their business. The MSP can provide access to a variety of resources and services that would typically require extra spending.

This includes cloud hosting and data management services.

Co-managed IT solutions are more cost-effective than other types of setups since they don’t require the team to hire and train additional IT staff. Businesses can save money on salaries, benefits, and other associated costs.

These services provide a higher level of reliability than traditional setups. The MSP takes responsibility for maintaining the IT environment.

Doing so ensures that your systems are running optimally at all times and reduces the chances of downtime or security breaches. This is important to keep in mind, as the average data breach costs businesses over $4 million.

Finally, co-managed IT services can help businesses stay ahead of the competition. The MSP will provide access to the latest technology and tools so that you can keep up with industry trends.

As a result, your business operations will remain efficient and competitive.

Co-Managed Vs Managed

As the name implies, co-managed IT services differ from managed IT services in that they involve the collaboration between an internal team and a service provider.

With managed IT, the MSP will take full responsibility for managing your IT infrastructure. All decisions regarding hardware and software are made by the MSP. With co-managed IT, some of the decision-making power is given to the internal team.

This allows them to customize solutions to meet their specific needs and take advantage of opportunities that are not available with managed IT services.

Are They Right For Me?

To decide if co-managed IT is right for your business, consider your current IT environment and the resources at hand. If you have an internal team that is knowledgeable in IT and willing to work with a service provider, then this type of arrangement may be a good fit.

If not, it may be better to use managed services instead.

Another factor to consider is budget. Co-managed IT can be more cost-effective than managed services since it doesn’t require additional staff or hardware investments.

This can make it a great choice for businesses that are looking to reduce costs without sacrificing reliability.

Businesses That Could Benefit

There are many businesses that could benefit from co-managed IT solutions. Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, can take advantage of the cost savings and improved reliability offered by this type of setup.

Companies that are growing rapidly or are undergoing digital transformation may also find co-managed IT beneficial. Specifically, companies that work in the tech, healthcare, or pharmaceutical industries can benefit greatly.

Leveraging co-managed cloud services can help increase productivity and minimize risk. Be sure to carefully evaluate all of your options before settling on a particular IT solution.

While co-managed IT can be a great choice for many businesses, it may not be the right fit for everyone.

Choosing a Provider

Not all providers are created equal.

When selecting a service provider for your co-managed IT setup, it’s important to consider their reputation, experience, and customer service. Look for references and reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality of the services they offer. You should also ask about their technology stack and data security measures.

Make sure that the provider is using the latest tools and technologies to ensure that your data is secure.

Always ask about their pricing structure. Many providers offer custom plans, so make sure you understand the costs associated with each option before making a decision. Some providers may also offer discounts or special offers, so be sure to inquire about them.

As long as you do your due diligence, you’ll find the right provider for your co-managed IT needs.

Choose Co-Managed IT Today

Making the right decision might seem difficult at first. However, there are plenty of benefits that co-managed IT services can provide that you won’t find elsewhere. Keep the above information in mind so you can make the decision that is best for your company.

Looking for more information on how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.