When it’s time to set up a new IT infrastructure, there are many possible configurations. In the end, though, you are basically choosing between an in-house approach and an outsourced approach. Both have their pros and cons, which is why many companies opt for a co-managed approach. But is it the right choice? The answer to that question depends on you and your situation. Let’s discuss a few simple points that will help you to determine which kind of IT plan is best for you.
What Is Co-Managed IT And How Does It Work?
As the name implies, co-managed services involve the use of both in-house and outsourced labor. Your company will need to decide how the various IT responsibilities are distributed. As a general rule, you want your in-house team in charge of matters that require hands-on attention. They will be on-location at all times, so they will be better able to provide those kinds of services. Conversely, any service which is best performed remotely should be delegated to the outsourced half of the team.
It’s Ideal For Those With A Good In-House Team
If your company already has a capable and effective in-house team, it makes no sense to get rid of them. Even though outsourced labor is cheaper, a particularly good employee is worth the extra pay. However, these in-house teams often become bloated with more people than they really need. This kind of bloated staff is never a good thing. Thus, if you are happy with your current in-house IT service, it makes more sense to use outsourcing as an enhancement tool.
Of course, it is crucially important to have good communication between your in-house team and your outsourced team. Otherwise, the effectiveness of both will be reduced. For instance, if your outsourced team detects some suspicious activity or an impending system crash, your in-house team will need to be informed quickly. The sooner they are told about the problem, the sooner they can neutralize that problem. Without good communication, your teams will not be able to help one another.
For When You Need Extra Security
A co-managed approach is often ideal for companies with greater security needs. Since your IT team will have two components that operate independently, each one can independently verify facts and information. This creates an extra check against the possibility of fraud and an extra security layer.
Here’s another thing: Companies with greater security needs have an increased need for remote monitoring. By monitoring network traffic and the status of key files, your outsourced team can make it much harder for a cyber-attack to get through. There are many, many methods of cyber-attack, but network and file monitoring can prevent most of them.
When someone is trying to penetrate your network or transfer files to an unauthorized source, the telltale signs can be detected quickly by a trained technician. This allows the threat to be neutralized before it can do its full damage. In many cases, network monitoring will prevent the attack from succeeding at all.
It’s Great For Businesses Who Have Recently Upscaled
If your business has recently expanded itself, a co-managed IT approach might be just what you need. When your business grows, your IT needs will grow as well. Naturally, this will create the need for additional staff to meet those needs. Of course, it can take quite some time to find and vet a high-quality IT technician, so it makes sense to fill the gap with outsourced help. Otherwise, your IT team will find themselves overwhelmed and unable to function at full effectiveness.
Works With Businesses Who Need A Tech Upgrade
Not all businesses can afford the latest IT hardware and software, and this is especially true for smaller businesses. In many cases, smaller companies have to make do with whatever they can afford. Outdated tech reduces productivity, mostly because it tends to be slower. It can also create a huge security hole due to the presence of known vulnerabilities that haven’t been patched.
When you bring a professional outsourced IT company into the mix, you gain access to at least some of its tech resources. Many IT providers are willing to loan out their equipment for a reasonable fee or help you to purchase such resources at a better price. In any case, outsourcing allows you to access a higher level of technology without having to pay its full cost.
It’s Great For Companies Who Are Having Trouble With Recruitment
As we said earlier, it can be difficult to find top-tier IT people for your in-house team. Each team member must be vetted and interviewed to see if they will be a good fit and to see if they are fully qualified. Unfortunately, though, some companies have a hard time attracting good IT workers in the first place.
There is a relative shortage of good IT workers because every company wants to hire the best people. Unfortunately, there are only so many of these top-tier people to go around. Outsourcing allows some of the best IT workers to provide services for multiple companies at one time. So, it all comes down to this one point: If you are having a hard time finding the right people for your IT team, a little bit of outsourcing can be an ideal solution.
Conclusion
Co-managed IT services are a very versatile solution. An IT plan of this type has to be made with the unique needs of each business in mind, and so no two are alike. While some people will prefer to go with one or the other, it can be very helpful to mix the in-house method with the outsourced method. If nothing else, it brings new knowledge and new capabilities into the mix, making it easier to solve any problem that may arise.
At PCH Technologies, we can offer you the best in IT outsourcing while also offering the versatility to do things in the way that is best for you. If you would like to know more, you can call us at (856) 754-7500.