Co-Managed IT Services: What an MSP Partnership Should Look Like

Managing and maintaining your IT systems can be a daunting task, especially if the company you work for lacks the expertise or resources to do so effectively. Luckily, many third-party providers can be hired to fully manage an organization’s IT infrastructure. But what we have found is that many companies fall into a gap — they don’t have the budget or need to fully outsource their IT department, and they need more hands-on help than what an IT consultant could provide.  

This is where co-managed IT services come in. In this blog, we will discuss what co-managed IT services are and how to know if you need them. 

What are Co-Managed IT Services? 

Co-managed IT services refer to a collaborative approach to managing your IT infrastructure. Instead of outsourcing all your IT services to a third-party provider, co-managed IT services allow you to work with a managed service provider (MSP) to supplement your existing IT team's capacity and knowledge base.  
 

This partnership enables you to share the responsibility for managing and maintaining your IT systems while giving you more control over your IT operations. 
 

With co-managed IT services, you can choose which IT services to outsource to your MSP and which ones to keep in-house. This gives your organization flexibility with your IT budget, allowing you to turn it up or down, like a dial, depending on your current IT needs.  

4 Reasons to Choose Co-Managed IT Services 

Co-managed IT services is a relatively new term for managed service providers, so how can you tell if this is the right partnership for you? Here are 4 reasons why co-managed IT service customers have decided this to be the perfect IT partner for their company.  

1. Your IT team requires specific expertise to manage your IT infrastructure effectively 

If your IT team lacks the time, specific skill set, or experience needed to manage and implement your IT needs effectively, partnering with an MSP can help you fill in the gaps. Your MSP can provide you with specialized expertise in areas such as network security, cloud computing, and data backup and recovery. 
 

2. Your IT team is overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks 

If your IT team is overwhelmed with daily tasks such as system maintenance, troubleshooting, and user support, co-managed IT services can help alleviate the workload. Your MSP can take over these routine tasks, freeing up your IT team's time to focus on strategic initiatives that add value to your business. 

3. You need to improve your IT infrastructure's performance and reliability 

If you are experiencing frequent downtime, slow network speeds, or other IT-related issues, co-managed IT services can help you improve your IT infrastructure's performance and reliability. Your MSP can conduct a thorough assessment of your IT systems, identify areas of weakness, and implement solutions to address them. 

4. You need to reduce your IT costs 

Co-managed IT services can help you reduce your IT costs by providing you with a flexible, scalable IT infrastructure that can grow and adapt to your business's changing needs. Your MSP can also help you optimize your IT spending by identifying areas where you can cut costs without sacrificing performance or security. 
 

Where to Start 

Co-managed IT services can be an excellent option for businesses that want to improve their IT infrastructure's performance and reliability while reducing costs and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. If you are considering co-managed IT services, it is essential to partner with a reputable MSP that has the expertise and experience needed to meet your unique IT needs.