Customised IT Service Models Designed to Turbocharge Businesses.
Co-managed IT services are a customised IT service model that combines the convenience of internal IT with the expertise of an managed service provider (MSP).
Co-managed otherwise known as co-sourced IT services are a collaborative approach to managing your organisations IT systems and technology reflected operations. This type of IT support is becoming increasingly popular around the world, and essentially integrates the in-house model with an externally sourced managed service model, providing the best of both worlds.
Having such a model allows businesses to transform their IT with scalable, cost-effective IT solutions which are beneficial to the growth and productivity of organisations. In today’s increasingly complex IT landscape, businesses need the flexibility of both their internal IT personnel and the expertise of a manage service provider.
Later in this blog, we explore the fundamental basics of a co-managed IT service and how organisations can benefit from them.
Why is Co-Managed IT becoming more popular?
Businesses face a plethora of challenges to compete and succeed in today's markets, with staunch competition at every turn. Traditionally, IT hasn't received the attention it deserves, with computer and network systems, servers, and email systems only being upgraded or replaced when something breaks or malfunctions. However, with the increasing digitisation as organisations strive to reduce their carbon footprint and costs, the demand for IT has started to rise. Additionally, the adoption of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), cloud storage, and application development, along with the evolution of IT, has been growing exponentially. The further integration of artificial intelligence has propelled IT into another stratosphere, and with all these advancements unfortunately comes the associated risk of criminal cyber activity and cyber-attacks, making IT a hot topic and, more importantly, a field that now requires proper strategies and processes in place for organisations to prosper.
How do co-managed IT services differ from traditional IT services?
In traditional managed IT services, the provider assumes complete responsibility for an organisation's entire IT infrastructure. Conversely, in co-managed IT, the responsibilities are confined to the specific services offered by the Managed Service Provider (MSP).
Co-managed IT services encompass various forms depending on the offered services. For example, a company might delegate its help desk support to an MSP. Alternatively, some companies engage MSPs solely for network management and security monitoring. In co-managed IT, a company seeks MSP assistance only when its internal IT department lacks the time or expertise to manage certain aspects independently.
How does co-managed IT operate?
Technology serves as the backbone of contemporary business operations. For businesses experiencing rapid growth, handling increased IT demands necessitates appropriate technological solutions. Building these solutions from scratch is time-intensive and often impractical. In such scenarios, co-managed IT emerges as the optimal solution to prevent overwhelming the internal IT department.
When faced with such requirements, businesses engage MSPs to manage specific IT operations. Prior to subscribing to co-managed IT services, evaluating the existing IT environment is essential to identify deficiencies.
Critical factors to assess include:
- Current technology, tools, workforce, and skill gaps.
- Required services.
- Business objectives and the role of IT in achieving them.
- Potential MSP partners capable of addressing identified gaps.
- Upon analysing these factors, engaging a managed service provider tailored to the organisation's needs becomes paramount. Co-managed IT offers the requisite flexibility for IT management, emphasising the selection of an appropriate partner to address technological needs.
Which services does co-managed IT encompass?
MSPs deliver a diverse range of services within the co-managed IT framework. The key lies in identifying services that bridge IT gaps while aligning with business objectives. Here's an overview of essential services covered under co-managed IT:
Project Management: Internal IT teams may possess solid technical skills but lack expertise in project planning and management. Leveraging an experienced MSP for project management enables the delegation of projects of varying scales, allowing internal staff to focus on core business projects.
End-User Support: Timely assistance for user issues is critical. Outsourcing this service to an MSP reduces the IT staff's workload, ensuring reliable support to prevent disruptions.
Digital Transformation: Transitioning IT operations to embrace modern technologies poses challenges for small and mid-sized organisations. Partnering with industry experts facilitates swift transformation without halting business operations.
Contract-Based IT Resources: Accessing skilled IT personnel for specific tasks can be daunting. Outsourcing to IT service contractors grants access to a diverse talent pool without extensive recruitment efforts.
Enterprise Tools Access: Limited budgets may hinder investments in advanced IT tools. Engaging the right MSP provides access to robust enterprise tools, enhancing competitiveness.
IT Security: Cybersecurity is a paramount concern in today's landscape. Outsourcing to MSPs specialising in security alleviates the burden of managing digital assets and infrastructure.
IT Consulting: Despite adequate resources, assistance in areas like knowledge transfer and strategy building may be necessary. Outsourcing such services to expert MSPs enhances business performance.
Co-managed IT services encompass various forms depending on the offered services. For example, a company might delegate its help desk support to an MSP. Alternatively, some companies engage MSPs solely for network management and security monitoring. In co-managed IT, a company seeks MSP assistance only when its internal IT department lacks the time or expertise to manage certain aspects independently.
What are the benefits of co-managed IT?
Businesses considering co-managed IT services stand to gain several advantages:
- Operational Control: Co-managed IT allows organisations to retain control over IT operations, selectively engaging partners based on specific needs.
- 24/7 Support: Businesses can rely on MSPs for round-the-clock support, even during staffing shortages or holidays.
- Tailored Solutions: Co-managed IT enables customised support, addressing specific technological or skill gaps.
- Rapid Implementation: Implementation is swift, bypassing extensive hiring and training processes associated with internal projects.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Co-managed IT often proves cost-effective, eliminating the need for substantial investments in infrastructure and technologies.
- Reduced Workload and Morale Boost: External assistance alleviates the burden on internal IT teams, improving morale and productivity.
What are the drawbacks of co-managed IT?
Despite its advantages, co-managed IT could entails certain limitations:
Internal-External Staff Conflicts: Friction may arise between internal and external IT teams, necessitating clear delineation of roles and expectations and ensure the MSP holds values similar to your own.
Finding Suitable MSPs: Identifying compatible MSP partners requires thorough evaluation to ensure alignment with business goals and technology.
Compatibility Issues: Misalignments between MSP solutions and business needs may impede operations, necessitating proactive resolution. In this situation it’s important to have a clear IT roadmap set out from the start.
Upfront Costs: With some MSP providers, initial investments for co-managed IT can be substantial, requiring careful budget considerations. An alternative to this traditional MSP model is the modern, flexible and scalable subscription model, which provides simple per user per month pricing, avoiding the heavy burden of up front investments, and allows for simplified budgeting and scaling as and when your organisation requires.
How else can co-managed IT support internal IT teams?
Co-managed IT aids Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) in managing various daily challenges, such as cybersecurity threats and downtime in addition to:
- Difficulty in Hiring Tech Talent
- Rapid Business Growth
- Urgent Technology Adoption
- Specialised IT Expertise Needs
- Assistance for Inexperienced IT Teams
To discuss Co-Managed IT Support Services further, or if you wish to explore how it could benefit your organisation book a complimentary discovery call below, and one of our friendly experts will be ready to assist.
