Before choosing between co-managed IT vs managed IT, it’s important to separate the distinctions between the two services. At PCH Technologies, we help advise and counsel business owners on their long-term IT strategies. Part of that process is assisting companies in deciding whether or not to adopt a managed or co-managed IT solution.
No two businesses are alike. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all managed IT product. This article will provide the two working definitions for both managed and co-managed IT services, along with their pros and cons. By the end, you should better understand the differences between the two services and be better prepared to make an educated decision about which option is best for you.
What are co-managed IT services?
Co-managed IT services or managed service providers (MSPs) represent third-party outsourcers that assume responsibility for delivering your IT requirements. Businesses that benefit the most from co-managed solutions are organizations that have already established an in-house team but lack the time or resources to manage one or a few aspects of the technology needs.
The co-managed IT platform typically includes high-quality offerings like project management, cybersecurity, and help desk services. They often offer businesses 24-hour monitoring packages to ensure that their systems don’t fail outside normal business hours, after your IT staff has gone home for the day.
Business owners prefer co-managed IT because it lets them outsource tasks that don’t offer value to their organizations. The solution is flexible and scalable enough to allow you to adjust for swiftly evolving market conditions. By outsourcing routine activities, for instance maintenance and patching, your core IT employees can remain focused on advancing your strategic growth strategies and driving revenue growth.
What are managed IT services?
Fully managed IT services differ from co-managed products because you’re essentially letting an outsourced team of highly qualified specialists handle all the elements of your business IT. Under managed IT services, you can expect the infrastructure, software, and human resources necessary to oversee the complete health and maintenance of your network and systems.
Unlike co-managed IT, the MSP assumes full control over your IT department when you subscribe to a managed IT service package. This allows companies to reduce their IT management costs while giving them a predictable, fixed monthly expenditure. Managed solutions mean you don’t need to worry about new hire training and paying out expensive IT salaries, not to mention the mandatory benefits such as paid sick leave and any other perks you offer to attract top candidates.
How do you decide which platform is best for you?
Most small to medium-sized businesses will benefit significantly from both a fully managed IT service and its co-managed counterpart. Deciding which platform works for your purposes ultimately comes down to your business IT needs.
Irrespective of whether you choose a managed or co-managed IT solution, they will both contribute to lower IT expenditures and significantly reduce unplanned downtime. Below are a few pros and cons to consider as you weigh and compare the two services.
The pros and cons of co-managed IT
Whether or be for regulatory reasons or just operational necessity, many businesses must maintain internal control over the core aspects of their IT. A co-managed service is the best option for companies with these requirements because it allows them to draw from the efficient and expert resources of an MSP without completely handing their IT requirements to a third-party outsourcer.
If don’t want to lose your IT department out of preference, but you’re managing a work-stressed team constantly bogged down by menial maintenance and first-level customer support tasks, your organization can benefit substantially from co-managed IT. At the end of the day, co-managed solutions provide optimal flexibility, allowing you to divert your key resources to growth-driving projects as the MSP handles your non-revenue-generating IT requirements.
Co-managed plans are usually less expensive than fully managed packages. At the same time, you’ll still have to outsource specialists to backlogged support. Co-managed service providers offer strategic planning advice and can help train and mentor your in-house IT staff. The only real downsides to co-managed IT are that you’re still responsible for some aspects of your IT, and you’ll maintain the overhead of both your internal team and the co-managed subscription package.
The pros and cons of managed IT
Fully managed IT solutions work best for companies that want to outsource their IT needs entirely to certified experts who can provide the latest software products, data storage centers, and infrastructure. Business owners and operations managers won’t have to worry about an essential staff member changing jobs, training new hires, or supporting the expensive labor overhead associated with the top IT talent.
Some companies, however, remain reticent to adopt a fully managed solution because of the perceived lack of control over their IT. These reservations are usually offset by the number of headaches a fully managed service provider can relieve and the elimination of expensive IT staff overhead. And while managed IT might be more expensive than your co-managed options, remember that you’re eliminating your existing overhead in exchange for a low, fixed monthly fee.
Choosing the right managed IT service model
When it’s time to decide which managed service platform is right for you, the first step is to take inventory of your current staff and existing business technology requirements. Next, you should analyze which components of your IT you want to eliminate and identify any that you simply cannot.
To address additional questions about which managed IT model is best for your business, book your complimentary discovery call online or dial (856) 754-7500 to connect with a PCH Technologies client relations specialist now.