As organizations grow, so do their IT needs, and this may eventually lead you to the decision to partner with a managed service provider (MSP). One detail you need to consider during this time is whether you would prefer co-managed IT, or fully managed IT services. These two models differ greatly, and it is important to understand how in order to make the right decision.
What Are Fully Managed Services?
Fully managed services involve outsourcing all of your organization’s IT operations to an MSP. They will take full responsibility for monitoring and maintaining your IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, software, and security.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Coverage: The MSP will offer end-to-end support, often including cloud services, managed security services, disaster recovery solutions, proactive maintenance, data backup, and more. This is ideal for organizations that lack an in-house team.
- Expertise and Resources: MSPs bring with them a wealth of expertise and resources. They are knowledgeable about the latest technologies, and can provide specialized skills that may otherwise be difficult to find.
- Scalability: As your organization grows, your MSP can scale with you, adding new users, software, and hardware as needed without requiring a significant upfront investment.
- 24/7 Support: Most fully managed services offer around-the-clock support services. This ensures that any issues are promptly addressed, minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity.
Considerations:
- Control: While you have the final say, outsourcing all IT functions necessitates the loss of some control. Instead of giving directions to in-house staff, you will work alongside the MSP to achieve your goals.
- Pricing Model: While fully managed services use a fixed monthly fee that provides predictability, they can be more expensive than co-managed services due to the higher level of support required.
What Are Co-Managed IT Services?
Co-managed IT offers a collaborative approach where your in-house team works with the MSP. This model allows you to retain more direct control over some aspects of your IT environment, while still leveraging the expertise and resources of the MSP.
Benefits:
- Customization and Flexibility: Co-managed IT is highly customizable. You can choose which functions to handle internally and which to outsource, allowing you to create a setup that aligns perfectly with your needs.
- Enhanced Expertise: It is difficult to find an in-house team with expertise in every area of IT. MSPs provide access to specialized skills that your team might lack.
- Support for In-House Teams: Your MSP can provide valuable support to your in-house team, helping them handle workloads, tackle complex projects, and prevent burnout.
- Cost Effective: By only outsourcing specific IT functions, you can keep costs lower.
- Increased Control: Co-managed IT allows your organization to maintain control over critical functions, while still benefiting from additional support.
Considerations:
- Coordination: Effective communication between your in-house team and MSP will be critical. Without clear roles and responsibilities, there is a risk of confusion or duty overlap.
- Partial Coverage: Under this model the MSP only provides partial coverage. You will need to ensure your staff can handle the remaining responsibilities effectively.
Making the Right Decision
Your choice between these two models will depend on several factors, including the size of your organization, your IT needs, budget, and desired level of support.
- Choose Fully Managed IT Services if you lack an internal IT team, want to outsource all IT responsibilities, or need 24/7 support.
- Choose Co-Managed IT Services if you have an in-house IT team but need additional support, want flexibility in handling IT functions, and prefer to maintain more direct control over your IT environment.
Find Your Perfect IT Partner
While both services provide benefits and challenges, the role your MSP plays in your organization will differ greatly depending on which one you choose. By taking your unique needs into consideration, and taking the time to properly understand what each model offers, you will be able to make an informed decision that will best serve your organization.
CTS provides both comprehensive and co-managed IT services, so that you can choose your desired level of support and scale up or down as needed. If you are considering partnering with an MSP, explore how our managed IT services can help your organization succeed today.
