A Guide to Co-Managed IT Services

In today’s blog, we will walk through the important aspects of co-managed IT services, including definitions, benefits and drawbacks. Let’s get started.

What are Co-Managed IT Service

In co-managed IT, you get support from both your IT department and outside IT service. In other words, it is teaming up your company’s own IT experts with outside help from a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

You get to decide what tasks your IT team handles and what you want to team up on with an outside IT service. It’s a smart way to combine the strengths of both sides: your experts and the extra skills and tools from the outside service.

This setup lets you be flexible, picking and choosing what help you need when you need it. It’s all about teaming up to make your IT work even better.

While this idea isn’t brand new, it’s become super popular lately, especially since the world flipped upside down in the past year and a half.

When to Choose Co-Managed IT Services

When You Have Small or Overworked IT Departments:

Small IT teams often face challenges when dealing with increased workloads or unexpected spikes in demand.

Hiring additional staff might not always be feasible due to budget constraints or time limitations. Co-managed IT services provide a practical solution by supplementing existing IT departments with external expertise.

This ensures that crucial tasks are completed efficiently without overwhelming internal resources.

When Your Organizations Are Undertaking New Projects:

Launching a new project can put additional strain on existing IT resources, potentially leading to delays or disruptions in core operations.

Co-managed IT services enable businesses to allocate dedicated support for new projects without compromising ongoing activities.

By collaborating with external IT partners, organizations can ensure a smooth transition and timely project delivery.

When You are Addressing Knowledge Gaps:

Even highly skilled IT teams may encounter challenges beyond their expertise, especially when dealing with specialized tasks or emerging technologies.

Co-managed IT services offer access to niche expertise, bridging knowledge gaps and empowering internal teams to tackle complex issues effectively.

Leveraging the specialized knowledge of external partners can accelerate problem-solving and enhance overall IT performance.

When You are Looking for a Monitoring and Management Platform:

A good monitoring and management platform is key for keeping your IT systems running smoothly. With the right tools and processes in place, you can optimize your IT setup and boost productivity for everyone using it.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have these platforms ready to go, so teaming up with them in a co-managed IT setup gives you access to top-notch management tools without having to build them from scratch.

It’s a win-win situation that ensures your IT environment stays in top shape while making life easier for your team.

What are The Benefits of Co-Managed IT Services

Flexibility and Scalability:

Co-managed IT services provide organizations with the flexibility to scale resources based on fluctuating demands.

Whether it’s handling seasonal peaks or supporting growth initiatives, businesses can access additional expertise as needed without committing to long-term contracts or extensive hiring processes.

Cost-Efficiency:

Opting for co-managed IT services can be a cost-effective solution compared to maintaining a large in-house IT team.

By outsourcing specific tasks or projects, organizations can reduce overhead costs associated with recruitment, training, and employee benefits.

This allows businesses to allocate resources more efficiently and focus on core objectives.

Access to Specialized Skills:

External IT partners bring diverse skill sets and industry experience to the table, enriching the capabilities of internal IT departments.

Whether it’s cybersecurity, cloud computing, or software development, co-managed IT services offer access to specialized skills that may not be readily available within the organization.

This collaborative approach enables businesses to leverage cutting-edge technologies and stay ahead of the curve.

Enhanced Support and Response Times:

With co-managed IT services, organizations benefit from enhanced support and faster response times.

External partners can provide round-the-clock monitoring, proactive maintenance, and rapid troubleshooting, minimizing downtime and optimizing system performance.

This proactive approach to IT management ensures continuity of operations and enhances overall productivity.

What are the Disadvantages of Co-Managed IT Services?

Navigating Software Requirements:

Another potential disadvantage of co-managed IT services is the risk of encountering compatibility issues between your existing systems and those of the IT partner.

Before entering into a co-management arrangement, it’s essential to thoroughly assess the compatibility of software applications, infrastructure components, and network configurations.

Upfront Fees:

While co-managed IT services offer cost-saving benefits over traditional IT management models, organizations must be prepared to incur upfront fees associated with establishing the partnership.

Unlike pay-as-you-go models, where expenses are incurred based on actual usage, co-management arrangements typically involve fixed upfront costs for provisioning resources and services.

Sharing Confidential Information:

Organizations may be required to disclose sensitive data, such as proprietary technology, intellectual property, or customer information, to facilitate effective collaboration with the IT partner.

However, sharing such information can pose security risks and raise concerns about data privacy and confidentiality.

Provider Availability

In the event of an IT infrastructure issue or emergency requiring immediate attention, organizations may face challenges if the service provider is not accessible or responsive round-the-clock.

Friction between IT Groups

The introduction of an external IT provider may be perceived as a threat by in-house IT staff, leading to feelings of insecurity, resentment, or resistance to change.

The Conclusion:

Co-managed IT services are beneficial for organizations looking to integrate the expertise of an outside IT solution provider with their in-house team.

It leads to flexibility, cost savings and enhanced support. Although it may come with some downsides like upfront fees or sharing confidential data, you can minimize the associated concerns by choosing a managed IT service provider who can understand your requirements.

Clear protocols for sharing confidential information, robust compatibility assessments, and transparent discussions about upfront fees can help