How Co-Managed IT Services Can Change the Way You Do IT
By Larry Gray
Dec 14, 2023
Re-Thinking IT: Upping Your Tech Game With Co-Managed IT Services
Your IT team consists of one, maybe two really hard-working people. Every day, you watch them running from desk to desk putting out all the little fires, leaving no time for the bigger projects that have been sitting in the queue for far too long.
So, why not hire another IT specialist? For most companies, it comes down to budget. Not only is the hiring process expensive, but your annual budget may not support another salary.
Co-managed IT services may be the solution you’re looking for. We’ll show you how you can ease the workload your IT team is experiencing and better position your company to get ahead on the bigger projects.
Table of Contents
What Are Co-Managed IT Services?
Co-managed IT services provide a collaborative partnership between your organization’s internal IT department and an external managed services provider (MSP). One of the key benefits of co-managed IT services is that they’re not typically industry-specific, so any organization can take advantage of the added support at a fraction of the cost of hiring someone in-house.
In many cases, companies rush to hire a second or third IT support person when outsourcing is the better solution.
For example, let’s say your organization has reached 100 to 150 employees and you decide it’s time to hire another IT support person to help manage your day-to-day needs. But, what happens when that person is out sick or takes vacation? Not to mention, they’re likely spending their days dealing with minor tech issues, like password resets, rather than focusing on managing and securing your larger systems.
Co-managed IT services offer flexibility, scalability, and access to specialized expertise, all at a fraction of the cost of hiring another in-house IT support person.
With co-managed IT services, your internal team can focus on strategic initiatives, while the MSP handles routine tasks, proactive monitoring, and maintenance.
What Industries Can Benefit From Co-Managed IT Services?
The benefits of co-managed IT services are less industry-specific and more related to the size of the organization.
Businesses in any sector, such as finance, manufacturing, professional services, education, and more can leverage co-managed IT services to enhance their operational efficiency and maintain a robust IT infrastructure.
However, larger organizations with a fully operational IT department may benefit less than small to mid-sized companies. Typically, organizations with 100 to 500 employees find co-managed IT services highly advantageous. In this size range, companies have sufficient IT needs to justify the presence of an internal IT team, yet they may face challenges in handling the full scope of IT responsibilities.
Any industry, large or small, that’s looking for a strategic and collaborative approach to IT management can find value in this model. At Fixed Fee IT in Portland, we offer co-managed IT services to help you scale your IT department without committing to the time and expense of hiring a new employee.
5 Irrefutable Reasons To Use Co-Managed IT Services
#1: They're Experienced
Co-managed IT services provide organizations with access to a diverse pool of specialized expertise and skills. External managed service providers often bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and emerging technologies, augmenting the capabilities of the internal IT team.
#2: They Provide Consistency
Do you see your IT team running around like headless chickens trying to manage all the little problems that pop up throughout the day? With co-managed IT, you can put an end to this.
Co-managed IT services deliver consistency by implementing standardized processes, leveraging advanced monitoring tools, and fostering effective communication between internal teams and external providers.
This collaborative approach:
Ensures uniformity in IT operations
Promotes reliability; and
Facilitates knowledge transfer through comprehensive documentation
Overall, co-managed IT services contribute to a consistent and secure IT environment that aligns with your organization’s goals.
#3: They’re Cost-Effective
Instead of fully outsourcing all IT functions, businesses can selectively delegate specific tasks or responsibilities to external providers, paying for services only as needed. This flexibility allows organizations to scale their IT support based on fluctuating demands, avoiding the need for a significant internal infrastructure overhaul.
External providers bring specialized expertise, reducing the need for extensive training or hiring additional in-house staff for niche areas such as cybersecurity or advanced technology integration.
By sharing the responsibility between internal and external teams, co-managed IT services:
Optimize costs
Enhance operational efficiency; and
Provide a tailored approach to IT management that aligns with the organization's budgetary constraints
#4: They Provide Access to a Larger Team
By collaborating with an external managed service provider, your business can tap into a pool of specialists with a broad range of expertise. This extends the capabilities of the internal IT team, providing access to skills that may not be readily available in-house. Whether it's cybersecurity, cloud computing, or emerging technologies, the external team brings specialized knowledge to address specific challenges.
The larger team also ensures continuity of support during peak periods or for specific projects without the need for hiring additional full-time staff. This scalability and access to diverse skills empower your organization to navigate complex IT landscapes effectively.
Co-managed IT services allow you to stay ahead of technological advancements and optimize your IT infrastructure with a well-rounded team.
#5: They Boost Morale
One survey suggests that 83% of workers said finding meaning in their day-to-day work was their number one priority. With co-managed IT services, routine tasks and specific functions are handled by external experts, so your internal IT professionals can focus on more strategic and innovative initiatives. This shift in responsibility allows your team members to engage in projects that align with their skills and career aspirations.
The collaboration between internal and external teams also creates opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill development, fostering a culture of continuous learning. The availability of external support also helps prevent burnout by distributing the workload and ensuring that your internal teams are not overwhelmed during high-demand periods.
Are Co-Managed IT Services a Threat To In-House IT Teams?
Co-managed IT services are not inherently a threat to in-house IT teams; rather, they become a complementary and collaborative extension.
The entire model is built around partnering with internal IT personnel to work together to optimize IT functions. In-house teams benefit from additional support, specialized expertise, and maintenance consistency, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives while routine tasks and specific functions are handled by the external provider.
This collaboration is meant to enhance overall IT efficiency and effectiveness. Rather than posing a threat, co-managed IT services empower in-house teams to:
Adapt to evolving technologies
Address complex challenges; and
Ensure the organization's IT infrastructure remains robust and secure
The key lies in effective communication, clearly defined roles, and a shared commitment to the organization's IT goals. Trust us, your IT team will thank you!
How To Choose the Right Co-Managed IT Services Partner
Choosing the right co-managed IT services partner isn’t a decision to take lightly. The company you choose to partner with can significantly impact your organization's efficiency and technology infrastructure.
Here are key considerations to guide your selection process:
- Expertise and specialization: Assess the provider's expertise and specialization in areas relevant to your organization's needs, such as:
Cybersecurity
Cloud services; or
Industry-specific technologies
Scalability and flexibility: Ensure that the provider can scale their services according to your organization's evolving needs. Look for flexibility in adjusting support levels and resources as required.
Service level agreements (SLAs): Review SLAs carefully to understand the level of service and response times offered. Clearly defined SLAs help set expectations and ensure accountability.
Security measures: Evaluate the provider's security protocols, certifications, and compliance standards to ensure that your organization's data and systems will be adequately protected.
Communication and collaboration: Assess the provider's communication processes and tools. Effective collaboration is crucial for successful co-management, so ensure that there are clear channels for updates, reporting, and issue resolution.
Cost structure and transparency: Understand the provider's pricing structure and ensure transparency in billing. Hidden fees or unclear pricing can lead to unexpected costs.
When you consider all of the above factors, your organization can make an informed decision when selecting a co-managed IT services partner that aligns with your goals, enhances your IT capabilities, and supports your overall business objectives.
Fixed Fee IT: Co-Managed IT Services You Can Count On
Fixed Fee IT recognizes that your business is unique. That’s why we collaborate directly with your in-house IT team to optimize your existing IT operations. We make sure all of your IT bases are covered with services like:
Cloud support
Helpdesk assistance
Advanced security management
Our co-managed IT services give companies much-needed IT relief by reducing the current workload on your internal staff, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that further the success of your organization.
You can count on a co-managed model that offers a transparent, per person, per month fixed fee. With predictable costs and scalable services, Fixed Fee IT is the smart solution to support your organization as it evolves and grows.
