Co-Managed IT Services: Is Sharing IT the Right Move for Your Business?

Thinking of outsourcing your IT support but not sure where to start? Learn how co-managed IT services may be the right move for your business.

If you’re unsure about a total commitment to an MSP (managed service provider), you could consider a hybrid or co-managed approach. Co-managed IT services allows for an MSP to do some of the work while your internal IT staff does the rest. Sharing IT with a co-managed/hybrid plan might be the right move for your business.

What Is Co-Managed IT Support (Hybrid IT)?

With a co-managed IT plan, you keep your internal IT team and supplement it with outsourced IT support. You know what’s working for you and what isn’t: So you decide how much you want in-house and what you want from your MSP.  Here are just a few ways co-managed or hybrid IT support can work:

• Your internal IT team handles day-to-day IT maintenance, but leans on the expertise of a managed service provider for advice and assistance.
• Your MSP becomes an outsourced CTO, helping you with strategy, planning and tool selection while your internal IT team executes those plans and manages your systems.
• An MSP can fill in the gaps when your in-house IT director is effective but having trouble hiring and training other IT personnel.

When Is Co-Managed IT Support the Right Move?

Managed service providers offer great value for small businesses. They provide a professional tech team with a suite of services and experience that easily meets or exceeds the IT needs of your business. Plus the cost of outsourcing  IT is typically less than the cost of housing an internal IT staff.

The cost of quality managed IT services is surprisingly reasonable for companies from 20 to 100 employees. There is a cost savings for companies with more than 100 employees as well, but it is typically more modest. Co-managed or hybrid IT support service may be the right move for larger companies in terms of larger financial gain and return on investment.

Co-Managed IT Support Customized to Your Business

A hybrid or co-managed IT plan is designed to fit the  particular needs of your company. This means IT fills gaps exactly where needed, as opposed to additional dollars being spent on areas you currently have covered. You also get all the traditional benefits of a managed service provider: predictable costs, 24/7/365 coverage and a wider knowledge base of professional expertise to draw from.

ArcLight Group provides both co-managed and fully managed IT support. Contact us or schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.