As your small business grows, it’s not uncommon for your technology needs to evolve faster than internal resources. This can delay new initiatives, introduce new security risks, and stretch your team to their breaking point. Eventually, your IT department could collapse entirely under the weight of additional workloads they were not equipped to handle.
It doesn’t need to be this way. IT co-management provides a unique support model that can help you focus on growth, without worrying about how your existing staff will cope. But what is co-managed IT? And how does it work?
What is Co-Managed IT?
Co-managed IT is one of many services offered by a managed service provider (MSP). But this one carries an interesting twist. Rather than entirely taking over your IT infrastructure, and fulfilling the role of an IT team, co-management is when the MSP works alongside your in-house staff. The idea is that, rather than choosing between internal and external support, you can have both.
This service model is designed to be fully customisable, allowing you to determine which responsibilities remain in-house and which are outsourced. For example, you might outsource cyber security due to a lack of internal expertise, while your staff handle support tickets. You can change these preferences at a given moment, providing a higher degree of flexibility than using either solution alone. You might increase outsourced services when additional resources are needed (for instance, during a large IT project), only to reduce them later.
Why Perth Businesses Are Turning to Co-Managed IT
The co-managed IT model is quickly gaining traction among Perth businesses, particularly those planning for growth. There’s a reason for this. The benefits of IT co-management include:
- Cost Control Without Compromising Quality: Hiring and retaining specialised IT staff can be expensive. Think about salaries, equipment, benefits, and training. Co-managed IT allows you to access high-level expertise without the overheads.
- Shorter Response and Resolution Times: Access to an extended team lets you address issues faster and reduce downtime, significantly improving productivity over time.
- Stronger Cyber Security and Compliance: An MSP brings specialised cyber security knowledge to the table, enabling stronger defences and lowering your risk of breaches or compliance issues.
- Support for Steadier Growth: Growth can be difficult to manage without the right support. Co-managed IT provides you with the help you need to grow slowly, steadily, and without problems.
- Better Staff Retention and Satisfaction: Overworked staff are less productive and more likely to quit. They may also discourage new employees from working for you, leading to understaffing. Early intervention will increase morale, improve efficiency, and prevent staffing problems.
Is Co-Managed IT Right for Your Business?
It is important to note that IT co-management might not be right for every business. This model is not designed to replace an internal team, but work alongside them. For this reason, you should not use it instead of in-house staff, the same way you might implement a traditional managed IT service. If your business does not have an existing team, you are better served using fully managed IT.
Co-managed IT is particularly valuable if your existing team:
- Struggles with their workload
- Is planning major infrastructure improvements or digital projects
- Has skill gaps in important areas
- Needs better support coverage (such as after-hours or remote support)
Businesses in high-risk industries, planning growth, or experiencing seasonal demand could also stand to benefit from IT co-management. Ultimately, you know your organisation best and should make a decision based on your unique factors.
Choosing a Co-Managed IT Provider
It is crucial to select the right provider, as the damage caused by a poor decision could negatively impact your own team. Look for these traits:
- Communication Skills: To enable co-management that effectively supports your business, strong communication is non-negotiable. This is quite possibly the single most important factor when choosing your partner. Choose an MSP with fast response times and transparent communication.
- Experience: Your chosen MSP should have experience with businesses in your industry and size. Look for testimonials and case studies that demonstrate past successes.
- Security Services: A provider with strong cyber security offerings will likely do a better job of protecting your business. Endpoint protection, 24/7 monitoring, and compliance services can all be a positive sign.
- Flexibility: The ability to adjust to changing needs is important for any MSP, but doubly so when using a co-managed model. They should provide multiple tiers which you can easily move between.
FAQs
Q: Does Co-Managed IT Mean Losing Control of Our Systems?
Not at all. One of the best things about IT co-management is that you retain full oversight. The normal loss of control you might experience with fully managed services is completely solved by the presence of your own, internal staff.
Q: What if our internal IT team is small?
Co-managed IT is designed for any business whose existing staff cannot effectively address their needs. The smaller and more overworked your team is, the more you stand to gain.
Q: Is Co-Managed IT Expensive?
While the exact price varies depending on many factors, co-managed services are often cheaper than fully managed IT. We recommend getting a quote before you commit to a given provider.
Q: Can We Customise Which Services Are Co-managed?
Yes. Your provider should offer flexibility in regards to which services they perform. Their role is to adjust as necessary to suit your specific needs.
Q: How quickly can co-managed IT be implemented?
This will depend on the complexity of your environment and existing team, but many co-managed services can be onboarded quite quickly. You can also implement a phased integration, to prevent hiccups as the MSP takes on tasks.
Is Your MSP Meeting Your Needs?
Fully managed services are great, and so are internal staff. But sometimes, neither is able to properly address your needs. This is where co-management shines. If your business is experiencing shifts, and needs just a little extra support, this model provides the flexibility and resilience you need to keep pace.
Not sure if your current MSP is working out? Austin Technology has you covered. Discover 7 important KPIs to help you determine whether adjustments need to be made.
