As a co-managed IT service provider, we are often asked, “How are the services provided?” So, let’s dig into what co-managed IT is, how the right provider will deliver services, and how it benefits small and mid-sized businesses.
Spoiler alert: It’s a whole different approach than fully managed IT services.
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Is Your In-house IT Team Overwhelmed? Here’s How Co-managed IT Can Help
Small businesses manage their technology in various ways, from relying on tech-savvy employees to employing dedicated IT managers or small teams.
Regardless of your setup, a solid IT strategy is critical for success.
When your IT team is stretched thin or has gaps in expertise, co-managed IT services can provide you with scalable support to complement your internal resources.
But what are co-managed IT services exactly? And what does it mean for organizations and their in-house IT team? Let’s take a look!
What is Co-managed IT?
Co-managed IT is a collaborative partnership between IT teams and an external IT provider, typically a managed services provider (MSP).
IT leaders turn to managed service providers when they (or their teams) become overwhelmed with daily operations and the fast pace of technological change.
The approach strengthens your internal capabilities by adding expertise and resources to optimize your IT operations.
Its benefits include:
- Efficient operations
- Improved security
- Scalable growth
- Cost-effectiveness
Peruse our on-demand IT video collection for more expert insights, tips and strategies.
Together, you and the outsourced IT provider can deliver comprehensive IT support for your organization, such as:
- 24/7 Network Monitoring
- Automated Software Updates
- Compliance
- Automation Engineering
- Hardware Maintenance
- Robust Cybersecurity
This partnership enables you to focus on higher-level, revenue-generating strategies, while the provider handles things like routine maintenance or cybersecurity support.
Ultimately, this collaboration boosts productivity, reduces burnout, and increases job satisfaction for you and your team. In turn, it empowers you to be able to work more effectively. As a result, the organization can be more innovative, efficient, and competitive.
Myths About Co-managed IT Services
There are quite a few co-managed IT myths that are talked about among SMBs. But the truth is that hiring full-time IT professionals is expensive, especially when budgets are already tight.
Co-managed IT is a more efficient way to give your team access to expertise, advanced tools, and scalability – without the high costs of building an entire IT department.
So, don’t let misconceptions hold you back.
How Support is Delivered
How your support looks depends on you and the construct of your current IT team. A trustworthy IT provider will work closely with your team to understand your challenges. By doing this, they can create and offer a tailored solution that aligns with your goals.
You define how your co-managed IT service works. Your approach gets documented in a service level agreement (SLA) to ensure everyone understands and upholds their responsibilities.
There are a few common approaches to co-managed IT:
- Your team drives the long-term business strategy.
- Your team manages the day-to-day tactical operations.
- Or a custom-fit approach to meet your nuanced needs.
Every business will choose a route that best suits them. So, it’s essential to understand you and your team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Be wary of any provider that tries to convince you to choose an option you do not stand behind. If you cannot agree on the terms while discussing services, it’s time to look at other options.
Choosing the right co-managed IT partner is crucial to the success and security of your business. Don’t let common red flags go unnoticed!
Benefits of Co-managed IT Support
Choosing to partner with a co-managed service provider has many benefits. Here are just seven advantages you can enjoy.
1. Greater Efficiency
A co-managed structure removes bottlenecks by blending in-house context with external specialists who can take on complex or time-consuming tasks. This frees you up IT to focus on strategic initiatives instead of being buried in daily maintenance.
2. Stronger Security Posture
Organizations gain immediate access to modern security tools, continuous monitoring, and expertise that may not exist internally – which strengthens protection against evolving threats without needing to build those capabilities from scratch.
3. Proactive Support
Instead of reacting to issues, the co-managed team keeps an eye on your environment and resolves problems before they interrupt operations. This creates a more stable, predictable infrastructure.
4. Expanded Technical Depth
Co-managed IT adds a bench of experienced engineers with proficiencies across cloud, cybersecurity, infrastructure, compliance, automation, and enterprise applications – broadening what your team can accomplish.
5. Scales As Fast As Your Needs Change
Whether you’re expanding locations, adopting new systems, or modernizing infrastructure, co-managed IT flexes with your pace. This lets you increase or decrease support without hiring or restructuring.
6. Less Downtime & Faster Issue Resolution
With additional hands watching critical systems, organizations experience fewer outages and faster recovery when something goes wrong, ensuring your environment stays reliable.
A Partnership That Drives Success
Co-managed IT support provides your organization with expanded expertise and resources. When done right, it is a collaborative partnership that leads to improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Teal Co-managed is proud to offer co-managed IT support to small and medium-sized organizations. We offer responsive and secure IT services to businesses nationally, with local headquarters based in:
Teal Co-managed IT Services Success Story
Since 2011, Teal Co-managed has partnered with a life sciences consulting company to provide co-managed IT services, improving their efficiency and technology infrastructure. This collaboration enabled their in-house IT team to focus on strategic initiatives, while Teal managed critical areas like device management, patching, and overall support.
The company chose Teal for our strong expertise, responsive service, and ability to integrate seamlessly with their internal team.
“They’re focused on making their customers happy.”
– IT Director
If you’re interested in learning how our co-managed IT services can help your business, contact a business technology advisor today.
