As technology becomes more complex, the demand for flexible and effective IT management has grown. Having an in-house IT department no longer makes sense for many businesses, leading to a rise in options like fully managed IT services and the more collaborative approach of co-managed IT services.
Understanding the differences between these approaches can help you find the solution that best fits your company’s needs, budget, and long-term goals. This guide will break down what each model offers, their key differences, and how to decide which path is best for your organization.
What Are Co-Managed IT Services?
Co-managed IT services create a partnership between your internal IT staff and an external managed service provider (MSP). This model doesn’t replace your existing staff; it complements them. The MSP fills in gaps by providing additional support, specialized expertise, or extra coverage where needed.
Common services included in a co-managed model are:
- 24/7 network monitoring
- Advanced cybersecurity management
- Help desk support
- Strategic IT consulting
- Data backup and recovery
This collaborative approach allows your in-house team to offload routine tasks or lean on the MSP for high-level strategic guidance without needing to make additional internal hires, making co-managed IT services a flexible solution for growing businesses.
What Are Fully Managed IT Services?
Fully managed IT means outsourcing your entire IT department to an MSP. The provider takes full responsibility for all of your technology needs, including maintenance, monitoring, security, and updates.
This is a comprehensive, hands-off approach that is particularly appealing for businesses that don’t have an in-house IT department or prefer to focus all their internal resources on core business operations. The MSP acts as your dedicated IT team, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Co-Managed IT | Fully Managed IT |
| Ownership of Tasks | Tasks are shared between the internal team and the MSP as needed. | The MSP handles and manages all IT tasks. |
| Control | The internal team retains a high level of control and collaborates with the MSP. | The business has limited direct control over day-to-day IT operations. |
| Scalability | Easily scales to support peak workloads, seasonal business, or special projects. | Provides a turnkey solution that can scale, but with less flexibility. |
| Cost | Flexible pricing, as you only pay for the services you need. | Predictable, fixed monthly costs covering all IT services, neatly budgeted. |
| Expertise | Supplements the skills of your existing IT talent. | Delivers all-in-one, comprehensive expertise. |
Benefits of Co-Managed IT Services
For mid-sized businesses with an existing IT foundation, co-managed IT services offer significant advantages. This model allows you to access advanced tools and specialized expertise without the cost of hiring more (or replacing) full-time staff.
A recent survey indicated that 76% of SMBs report not having the internal expertise to tackle security challenges effectively, making additional support indispensable. This IT model also provides scalable support during busy periods, preventing burnout for your internal team and improving efficiency.
Benefits of Fully Managed IT Services
Fully managed IT is ideal for small businesses or organizations that want a predictable and all-inclusive solution where employees can focus on core operations without needing to double as tech support. With 24/7 proactive monitoring, you can be confident that issues will be addressed before they become major problems.
This model offers strong cybersecurity and data protection measures, and the predictable monthly costs make budgeting simpler and eliminate the need for costly salary and benefit packages for in-house IT hiring.
How to Choose the Right IT Model
Deciding between co-managed and fully managed IT depends on your business’s current circumstances. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do we have an internal IT team already? If yes, co-managed IT services can augment their skills without displacing employees. If not, a fully managed model might be a better fit.
- What is our budget? Fully managed services offer a predictable monthly fee, while co-managed IT services provide more flexible, potentially lower-cost options.
- How much control do we want? If maintaining visibility and control over IT operations is a priority, a co-managed partnership is ideal. If you prefer a hands-off approach, fully managed is the way to go.
Find the Perfect Fit with Complete Technology
Whether you need to support your existing IT department or want a complete outsourcing solution, Complete Technology is here to help! We offer both fully managed IT services for a hands-off approach and co-managed IT services to enhance your current team.
If you’re ready to find the level of support that works for you, let’s chat about how our flexible IT services can empower your team and drive your business forward. Let’s connect and find the perfect IT partnership for your business!
