Key Takeaways:
Managed IT is ideal for companies without internal IT teams or those that need fully outsourced, 24/7 IT management. Compare the roles here >
Co-Managed IT is the right fit for companies with internal IT teams that need additional support, whether it’s long-term leadership or short-term execution. See if co-managed IT fits your needs >
Choosing whether to onboard a managed or co-managed IT partner depends on your business’s unique needs and future goals. Find which one is right for you >
Choosing the right IT support can feel overwhelming. Do you go fully managed, giving up some control but gaining complete peace of mind? Or do you opt for co-managed IT, where you retain some in-house expertise while getting expert support for specific needs?
This guide will break down the key differences between co-managed IT and managed IT, helping you decide which model best fits your business and budget.
Co-Managed vs. Managed IT: Side-by-Side Comparison
There are several key differences between Managed IT and Co-Managed IT.
At SC&H, both services are led by CIOs/CTOs experienced in cybersecurity and technology. Plus, all our solutions are individually built for your company’s exact needs, unlike traditional, pre-set MSP plans. Learn more >
Here’s a high-level overview of our two adaptable offerings:
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of each option.
Managed IT Provides Comprehensive Support
Managed IT lets you and your team focus on strategic business aspects with 100% outsourced technology management, strategy, and support. A dedicated team leads every part of your company’s IT infrastructure.
Companies that opt for Managed IT don’t need any internal resources or staff because the MSP can handle:
- Provide 24/7 system monitoring, technical assistance, and troubleshoot
- Lead cybersecurity and compliance initiatives like managing firewalls, antivirus, and adherence to standards like HIPAA and GDPR
- Manage data with regular backups and create recovery plans to protect critical information
- Optimize cloud and network setup, then maintain cloud infrastructure and networks
- Align IT strategy with business goals and coordinate with third-party vendors
When is a Managed IT Partnership Most Effective?
Managed IT is perfect for companies that don’t have any internal IT support. If your team doesn’t have the expertise, resources, or time to manage the company’s technology infrastructure, a comprehensive partner is the best choice.
Here are a few scenarios where your company could benefit from working with a Managed IT partner:
- You need an expert to set up, handle, and lead your company’s IT initiatives
- Your business doesn’t have an in-house IT team
- Your business is in the healthcare, finance, or legal sector and needs ongoing help to ensure compliance with strict IT regulations
- You’re working with a fixed cost and need to predict a budget for the entire year instead of handling IT issues on an ad-hoc basis
- Your business operates outside standard office hours or in multiple time zones and needs around-the-clock IT monitoring and assistance
Co-Managed IT Collaborates on Technology Responsibilities
Think of a Co-Managed IT partner as an extension of your internal IT team. Your team gains access to specialized skills and can collaborate with IT experts for projects that would benefit from additional support.
A Co-Managed IT partnership can work with your IT team to:
- Provide expertise in areas like cybersecurity, cloud migration, strategic IT guidance, or network design
- Lead initiatives such as software implementation, system upgrades, or data center migrations
- Monitor networks, servers, and applications for potential issues 24/7
- Support your growing business by handling increased workloads or new technology deployments
- Act as an additional resource during staff shortages, vacations, or high-demand periods
When is a Co-Managed IT Partnership Most Impactful?
If you have a technology team that is stretched thin with responsibilities or lacks niche knowledge, Co-Managed IT may be the right choice.
These are just a few examples of when a collaborative IT partner can make a big impact:
- Your startup is rapidly expanding and needs flexible IT solutions to match increased demands
- Your organization is at high risk of cyberattacks or has already experienced data breaches, and you need to enhance your security
- Your team needs assistance with a specific initiative, like a system upgrade or a cybersecurity enhancement
- You want to optimize IT spending by utilizing external resources to complement your team
- You’re merging with another company or moving offices and need an IT partner to smoothly transition IT with minimal disruption
How to Choose the Right IT Service
To help with the decision-making process, we’ve created a comparison chart and developed specific questions that will help you assess which service is right for you.
As your leadership team researches technology solutions, these considerations can help you figure out the best partnership model:
Assess your internal technology team’s bandwidth and expertise.
- Is our team able to dedicate time to both day-to-day IT management and long-term strategic initiatives?
- Are there areas of IT where our team lacks advanced expertise?
- How effectively does our team respond to IT emergencies or downtime?
- Are any tasks or projects repeatedly delayed due to limited team resources?
- Is our team keeping up with the latest industry trends and advancements in technology?
Align IT with your business objectives.
- Are IT operations directly supporting revenue-generating activities?
- What measurable impact does our IT infrastructure have on achieving the company’s key performance indicators (KPIs)?
- How well does our IT team understand and align with the company’s overall business strategy?
Evaluating your budget.
- Would it be more cost-effective to supplement our team with external IT experts rather than hiring more full-time staff?
- How much are we currently spending on IT-related issues due to inefficiencies or knowledge gaps?
Plan for future growth.
- Does our internal team have the capacity to scale IT operations as the business grows?
- Are we planning to adopt new technologies or tools that will require specialized support?
- Do we anticipate any significant changes in our industry that will affect our IT needs?
You may realize you only need short-term additional support to supplement your enterprise IT Team, or you might find that fully outsourcing your IT team is the most budget-friendly option for your startup.
Get Technology Support That Works For You
We get it—you’ve been burned by other MSPs who didn’t show up when you needed them or were much too expensive for your needs. That’s why we built our process to work for you, not the other way around.
Your company’s IT needs are unique and you need a partner who will create a personalized technology plan. Our Managed IT and Co-Managed IT services are customizable to fit your company’s exact technology needs. Reach out today to learn how we can create a plan for your business.
