At Clouddle, we’ve seen businesses struggle with managing their IT infrastructure effectively. Many companies find themselves caught between the high costs of fully managed IT and the limitations of in-house teams.
Co-managed IT support offers a compelling middle ground, combining the best of both worlds. This approach allows businesses to leverage external expertise while maintaining control over their IT operations.
In this post, we’ll explore whether co-managed IT support is the right fit for your organization and how it can potentially transform your IT strategy.
What is Co-Managed IT Support?
A Collaborative Approach to IT Management
Co-Managed IT is a service model that lets organizations customize their IT management. By blending the expertise and resources of an external managed service provider (MSP) with your in-house IT team, it creates a flexible strategy for managing your organization’s technology infrastructure.
Distinguishing Co-Managed IT from Other Models
Unlike fully managed IT, where an external provider takes complete control of your IT operations, co-managed IT preserves your internal IT team. This model benefits mid-sized businesses with some IT capabilities but require additional support in specific areas.
Core Components of Co-Managed IT Services
Co-managed IT services typically encompass:
- Round-the-clock monitoring and support
- Robust cybersecurity measures
- Efficient cloud services management
- Proactive network infrastructure maintenance
- Comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity planning
These services adapt to your specific needs. For instance, you might handle day-to-day operations internally but rely on your MSP for advanced security measures or complex cloud migrations.
The Financial Advantage of Co-Managed IT
One of the most compelling benefits of co-managed IT is its cost-effectiveness. This cost efficiency stems from avoiding the expense of a full-time, in-house team of specialists, while also not outsourcing everything at a premium.
Adaptability and Growth Potential
As your business expands, your IT needs will evolve. Co-managed IT offers the flexibility to adjust your support levels as needed. This adaptability proves particularly valuable for businesses experiencing rapid growth or seasonal fluctuations in demand.
During peak seasons, you can increase reliance on your MSP for additional support. In slower periods, you can scale back to your in-house team. This flexibility ensures you always receive the right level of support without overpaying for unnecessary services.
The benefits of co-managed IT support extend beyond cost savings and flexibility. In the next section, we’ll explore how this model can enhance your organization’s security posture and compliance measures.
Why Co-Managed IT Support Boosts Your Business
Optimizing Costs While Maximizing Expertise
Co-managed IT support allows you to access specialized skills without the high cost of a full-time, in-house team of experts. MSPs increase network stability, but they also save you money. From fully managed solutions to co-managed IT, this model enables you to allocate your IT budget more efficiently, focusing on areas that need the most attention while reducing unnecessary expenses.
Leveraging Cutting-Edge Technologies
Co-managed IT provides access to state-of-the-art tools and technologies that might otherwise be out of reach. Advanced security solutions (like AI-powered threat detection) or comprehensive cloud management platforms become readily available. Managed Services are still viewed as key to technology modernization and digital transformation, leading to enhanced productivity and competitiveness.
Strengthening Your Security Posture
Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. Co-managed IT support provides robust security measures that can significantly reduce your risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. Co-managed IT allows you to implement advanced security protocols, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Scaling Your IT Infrastructure Effortlessly
As your business grows, your IT needs evolve. Co-managed IT support offers the flexibility to scale your infrastructure up or down as needed. This adaptability proves particularly valuable for businesses experiencing rapid growth or seasonal fluctuations.
Enhancing Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer
Co-managed IT fosters a collaborative environment where your in-house team works alongside external experts. This collaboration leads to knowledge transfer, skill enhancement, and improved problem-solving capabilities. Your internal team can learn from the expertise of the managed service provider (MSP), while the MSP gains valuable insights into your specific business needs and processes.
The next chapter will help you determine if co-managed IT support aligns with your business needs and goals.
Is Co-Managed IT Right for Your Business?
Evaluate Your Current IT Setup
Start with a comprehensive audit of your existing IT infrastructure. This includes an assessment of your hardware, software, network capabilities, and security measures. Identify areas where your current setup excels and where it falls short. You might have a robust internal network but lack advanced cybersecurity measures.
Co-managed IT partnerships are increasingly seen as mutually beneficial, with business and government leaders open to collaborative regulation, according to survey respondents from both 2022 and 2023.
Assess Your In-House IT Team
Evaluate the skills and capacity of your current IT staff. Are they overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks? Do they lack expertise in certain areas crucial for your business growth?
A study by CompTIA revealed that 46% of companies adopted co-managed IT to complement their in-house team’s skills. This approach allows your internal staff to focus on core business functions while leveraging external expertise for specialized tasks.
Align with Business Objectives
Consider your short-term and long-term business goals. Are you planning to expand to new locations? Launch new products or services? Enter new markets? Your IT infrastructure needs to support these objectives.
If you’re in the hospitality industry and plan to open new properties, you’ll need scalable IT solutions. Co-managed IT can provide the flexibility to expand your IT capabilities in line with your business growth.
Calculate Potential ROI
Analyze the return on investment (ROI) of co-managed IT. While exact figures vary, many businesses report significant cost savings.
To calculate ROI of co-managed IT, consider factors like reduced downtime, improved productivity, and access to advanced technologies. Tools like CloudZero can help you pinpoint where to reduce usage or increase investment to cut costs or increase ROI.
Assess Your Security Needs
In today’s digital landscape, robust cybersecurity is essential. If your current setup lacks advanced security measures, co-managed IT could transform your security posture. The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses (many of which lack sophisticated security infrastructure).
Co-managed IT providers often offer enterprise-grade security solutions that might be out of reach for smaller in-house teams. This includes 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and rapid incident response capabilities.
Final Thoughts
Co-managed IT support offers a powerful solution for businesses to optimize their IT operations. Organizations can achieve a balance of control, flexibility, and specialized knowledge by combining the strengths of in-house teams with external expertise. The advantages of co-managed IT include cost-effectiveness, access to advanced technologies, enhanced security measures, and the ability to scale as your business grows.
The decision to adopt co-managed IT support requires careful consideration of your current IT infrastructure, in-house capabilities, business objectives, and potential return on investment. Each organization’s needs are unique, and what works for one may not be the best fit for another. You should conduct a thorough assessment of your current IT setup and future needs before engaging with potential service providers.
At Clouddle, we provide tailored IT solutions for various industries. Our approach to co-managed IT support focuses on delivering technology solutions that enhance your operations, increase revenue, and provide seamless connectivity and security. The right co-managed IT support should feel like an extension of your team, not a replacement (it should empower your in-house staff, enhance your IT capabilities, and drive your business forward).
