Any business with growing technology demands typically has two options: either build a well-equipped in-house IT department, which shifts precious time, resources and focus away from the company’s strategic goals. Or, outsource its technology needs to a third-party, fully managed IT service such as Welsh Consulting. But there is a third option. One that offers the best of both worlds by bridging the gap between your existing IT department and a managed service provider in Boston.
Co-managed IT services are gaining traction, not as replacement for in-house IT staff, but as a cost-effective addition to their capabilities. This article highlights the benefits growing business managers and IT executives need to know about co-managed IT services before hiring one.
Key Takeaways
- More than ever, businesses are facing an unprecedented number of obstacles. Cybersecurity threats have never been greater, while costs have never been higher.
- Technical debt is not unheard of nowadays, and as your organization’s tech stack gradually becomes outpaced and outdated, a small in-house staff is no longer enough to resuscitate legacy systems and reconfigure them to meet your increasingly complex business needs.
- Co-managed IT services are not a replacement for internal IT staff, but an extension of their operational bandwidth. Where certain specialized skill sets are in shortage, your co-managed IT partner steps up to fill in the void.
- As with many business decisions, there is no clear-cut selection when it comes to co-managed IT. Conflicting opinions among key decision-makers, varying needs, the available in-house IT firepower, and external factors shape vital decisions regarding the best co-managed IT provider for your needs.
How Does Co-Managed IT Work?
In the ether of IT administration, over-reliance on understaffed in-house teams for infrastructure management, network monitoring, system maintenance, and repair could stretch your IT resources to breaking point.
Small businesses with ballooning needs find it time-consuming to build everything up from scratch on their own. And thanks to skyrocketing IT costs, some IT executives opt to maintain the status quo and hope that their IT department has it covered. If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that prevention is better than cure, and that proactive beats the reactive “break-fix” approach every time.
The co-managed IT framework takes on a collaborative approach to IT management. Rather than a full outsourcing arrangement, the shared responsibility between outsourced IT specialists and in-house staff provides adequate IT support in the required quantities.
Some service offerings covered by co-managed IT SLAs include (but not limited to the following):
- Network configuration and monitoring
- Hardware repair and maintenance
- Advanced threat detection and prevention
- Security patch management
- New hardware and software installation
- Data backup and disaster recovery services
Co-managed IT providers also offer secure cloud solutions for client data. A self-service selection of diverse skills and expertise is a privilege synonymous with co-managed contracts.
Co-managed IT providers pursue technical and iterative tasks while internal staff maintain focus on strategic duties directly tied to the business’s success. Subsequently, these services help rein in costs and get the highest returns for your investment.
Benefits of Co-Managed IT for Growing Businesses
Often, small businesses face budgetary constraints when it comes to investing and equipping an in-house team. That’s because the ROI of IT departments can be difficult to quantify.
Each hire comes with an assortment of additional costs for the company, not to mention the looming risk of losing new recruits to churn. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimated that the cost of hiring a new employee stands at $4,700 and this does not include monthly wages and benefits.
Some larger companies experience vast needs and often resort to outsourcing the entire IT management function. While this could spell lower IT administration costs, on the downside, it could also get in the way of customized solutions that better meet the company’s unique needs.
Here are some benefits worth considering:
Unlimited Access to the Latest Solutions at Reasonable Cost
In the discharge of their duties, co-managed IT providers are kept up-to-date with recent developments in the tech industry. Cutting-edge tools and new, powerful software products are launched every day. It takes an engaged IT professional who understands how software can best be used to the organization’s advantage.
Take cloud computing, for instance. 94% of companies around the globe use some kind of cloud computing service according to recent reports. Implementing cloud services from reliable manufacturers is a straightforward process. However, it takes a proficient cloud specialist to restore corrupted data, repair damaged systems, and prevent downtime associated with cloud facilities before it happens.
Another survey indicated that over half of businesses use artificial intelligence for customer service, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention. Seasoned IT consultants can step in to help your in-house IT department identify and implement the right tools for the right cause, maximizing value and minimizing wastage. And since MSP resources are distributed across a wide client base, you can expect a reasonable cost for the IT services rendered.
Tighter Cybersecurity Fuelled by Proactive Measures
Matters of security and integrity of existing infrastructure are subject to regular review in light of the rapidly evolving threats in today’s business environment. In 2023 alone, 73% of small businesses reported facing cybersecurity incidents. While 85% of the respondents expressed their readiness to respond to an incident, it doesn’t rule out the importance of early prevention as the better solution.
Security-first co-managed IT service providers adopt zero-trust policies alongside proactive maintenance to stop perpetrators in their tracks. Whenever things go wrong, you have a ready team of experts at your beck and call. Regular employee training programs provided by your co-managed IT partner take your cybersecurity posture to an even greater height.
Expertise and Specialized Knowledge Delivered at Scale
Shared responsibilities with a co-managed IT vendor are distributed based on needs and budget. Peak seasons, for example, draw a hefty amount of time investment in customer service, help desk support, and network support. Co-managed IT services can quickly adjust resources and talent for the peak season.
As such, additional overhead costs and prolonged overhauls become a thing of the past, as your co-managed IT partner offers flexibility that allows you to accommodate changes in workforce size or shifts in business priorities while remaining agile and responsive to future challenges.
While on the look out for a co-managed partner, consider one with the following:
- Relevant qualifications and certifications – Certified MSPs undergo rigorous training and retraining to keep their skills updated and relevant to your industry. Where applicable, your ideal co-managed IT partner will hold additional certifications in your industry.
- Experience – Evaluate the vendor’s performance and capacity in a team setting. Since support will be rendered in collaboration with an existing team, it lies in your best interests to hire a vendor that can work in sync with your in-house team.
- Flexibility and availability – Underlying IT issues may surface at any time, and your provider should demonstrate their ability to take on these challenges even on short notice.
Co-managed IT services also deliver on the required skill set at scale, without running the risk of losing employees to untimely churn. After-hour requests may constitute a significant portion of the workload. Ask your provider about their availability to meet such requests.
Conclusion
With technology now at the heart of business operations, business managers are scrambling to find ways to balance costs while getting the most out of their investments. Co-managed IT services offer growing companies a strategic advantage with a dedicated focus on their core operations while leveraging specialized knowledge and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does co-managed IT support help in aligning IT strategies with business goals for growing companies?
By teaming up with IT and other departments, co-managed IT services are able to evaluate the business’s needs and goals and project the required solutions to reach these goals with greater accuracy. Co-managed IT vendors also offer valuable advice as strategic consultants, giving your business the competitive edge it needs to thrive.
Can co-managed IT providers assist in developing a disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity in case of emergencies?
Absolutely! Co-managed IT providers can assist in developing a robust disaster recovery plan and keep your business running during emergencies. They bring a wealth of expertise, resources, and proactive strategies to reinforce your IT staff’s commitment to safeguarding your company’s operations.
What types of training and support do co-managed IT providers offer to employees to enhance their digital skills and productivity?
Co-managed IT providers offer comprehensive training and support to employees aided by workshops, multi-format online resources, and personalized assistance so they can better leverage technology effectively in their role.
How do co-managed IT services help in integrating and managing multiple cloud solutions for growing businesses?
To support growing businesses, co-managed IT vendors sync diverse cloud-based platforms with seamless data flow and security at the top of mind. Optimized cloud resources increase productivity at multiple levels throughout the organization.
What role does a co-managed IT provider play in ensuring compliance with industry regulations and data protection laws for growing companies?
Co-managed IT providers implement a mix of policy controls to ensure compliance with industry and federal regulations. Among these measures is the proactive approach, which is an important element of cybersecurity and IT management. Proactive IT management sets the foundations for regular security audits, which reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited by ill-intended actors.
