As business strategy becomes more integrated with technology decisions, there are many ways to think about managing IT infrastructure. Co-managed and fully managed IT are two particular ways to think about it, with the key difference being the level of control and responsibility shared between the organization and the service provider.
Fully managed IT outsources all responsibilities to an IT service provider, while co-managed IT blends internal expertise with external support. TenHats offers scalable co-managed solutions tailored to your evolving business needs.
The Complexity of Modern IT
Modern IT has evolved beyond issuing company email addresses and providing tech support for workstation desktops. Large organizations often run thousands of interconnected applications and databases, making it challenging to understand and safely modify systems.
This complexity extends beyond everyday IT fixes like troubleshooting hardware to encompass system-wide management challenges. For example, cybersecurity compliance involves:
- Adhering to industry-specific regulations and standards
- Implementing risk-based controls
- Protecting sensitive data
The intricate web of technologies and regulations has created a landscape where no single person can possess comprehensive knowledge of all IT aspects. This result is a need for specialized teams and collaborative approaches to support your organization.
The Differences Between Co-Managed and Fully Managed IT
Fully managed IT involves outsourcing all IT responsibilities to a third-party provider who assumes complete control over your organization’s IT infrastructure and operations. In contrast, co-managed IT is a collaborative approach where an external provider works alongside the company’s internal IT team, sharing responsibilities and complementing existing capabilities.
Key distinctions include:
- Level of control: Fully managed IT gives full control to the provider, while co-managed IT allows for shared control.
- Internal involvement: Fully managed IT requires minimal internal IT staff, whereas co-managed IT leverages existing in-house expertise.
- Customization: Co-managed IT offers more flexibility in tailoring services to specific business needs.
- Scalability: Co-managed IT can easily adapt to changing requirements, especially during periods of growth or high activity.
By understanding these important differences, you can determine which type of managed service provider is best for your business.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Co-Managed IT
Co-managed IT offers several advantages for businesses seeking balanced IT management. It combines internal knowledge with external expertise, leveraging existing IT staff while accessing specialized skills in areas like cybersecurity and compliance. This model provides scalability and flexibility, allowing for adjustable IT support based on changing needs and project demands.
One of the key benefits is better alignment with business priorities, as in-house staff can advocate for specific requirements while external experts handle more complex tasks. Co-managed IT is also often more cost-effective than fully managed solutions, offering a predictable and scalable expense structure.
However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Communication challenges may arise between internal and external teams, requiring careful coordination to ensure seamless collaboration. Clear role definition is also crucial to avoid overlaps or gaps in responsibilities.
Additionally, co-managed IT may result in higher internal IT costs compared to fully outsourced solutions. This is the result of businesses still maintaining some in-house IT staff.
Despite these challenges, co-managed IT is increasingly seen as a flexible solution that offers the best of both worlds for many organizations.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fully Managed IT
Fully managed IT service providers offer several advantages for businesses. They free up significant time for core business activities by handling all IT responsibilities. Organizations gain access to comprehensive expertise across various IT domains. Additionally, fully managed IT provides 24/7 support and monitoring, ensuring quick issue resolution and minimizing downtime.
As with co-managed IT, there are drawbacks to consider for fully managed IT. Businesses have less internal control over IT decisions since the managed service provider assumes full responsibility for the IT infrastructure. This can lead to a potential lack of knowledge since external providers may not fully understand the organization’s unique needs and processes.
Another concern is that challenges may arise in aligning IT with business strategy. This is due to the distance between the provider and the company’s core operations, making it difficult to integrate IT initiatives seamlessly with overall business goals.
Is One Better Than the Other?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing between co-managed and fully managed IT services. Each model has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on your organization’s specific needs and resources.
With that said, co-managed IT is increasingly becoming a popular middle ground. It offers a flexible blend of internal expertise and external support that can adapt to evolving business requirements.
Benefits of the co-managed IT model
Co-managed IT is on the rise, offering the best of both worlds by combining internal expertise with external support. It provides access to a team of specialized experts to complement your in-house IT staff who can advocate for specific business priorities. Internal teams can address urgent matters while external partners manage complex tasks for maximum efficiency.
Co-managed IT is highly scalable, enabling businesses to adjust support levels based on changing needs. It also offers customization options, allowing organizations to tailor services to their unique requirements. This flexibility ensures that companies can optimize their IT operations while maintaining control over critical aspects of their technology infrastructure.
Choose TenHats as Your Co-Managed IT Partner
TenHats is your go-to for co-managed IT, offering enterprise-grade solutions and a wealth of expertise across various IT domains. We provide robust, scalable services that work across organizations. This includes 24/7 support from skilled technicians to ensure quick resolution of any IT issues.
At TenHats, we excel in critical areas like cybersecurity, cloud management, and disaster recovery planning. As a Microsoft Direct Cloud Solution Provider, we also offer seamless integration of Microsoft 365 products and services.
By partnering with TenHats as your co-managed IT partner, your business can leverage our comprehensive knowledge to drive positive outcomes, empowering in-house IT leaders to focus on strategic initiatives. At the same time, we will handle complex technical challenges and provide you with guidance on leveraging technology effectively.
