What’s the Difference Between Managed and Co-Managed IT Services?

man typing on a computer in a server room

Every business needs a different level of IT support—maybe you want full support with off-site staff, or you want to keep your in-house team and just need someone to help out when things get hairy.

There are two different types of IT services that can help businesses: managed vs co-managed IT. Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between the two, and how you can choose which one is better suited to your business.

Everything You Need to Know about Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are an agreement between a business and an IT service provider. The service provider agrees to proactively manage the company’s IT infrastructure for a monthly fee. This includes tasks such as monitoring, patching, and updating software.

The goal of managed services is to prevent small issues from turning into big problems. By being proactive, managed service providers can stop issues before they cause downtime or data loss. This is why managed services are often called “proactive IT support.”

All the Details on Co-Managed IT

Co-managed IT services are a combination of in-house staff and an external IT service provider. The company and the service provider share responsibility for the company’s IT infrastructure.

In most cases, the service provider will take on the tasks of monitoring, patching, and updating software. They will also be the first point of contact when an issue arises. The in-house team will then work with the service provider to resolve the issue. Co-managed IT also allows the in-house team to be freed up for more strategic projects, like working on new features or improving processes.

Co-managed IT services are a great option for businesses that want more control over their IT infrastructure. By having both in-house and external staff, companies can be sure that their IT needs are being met around the clock.

Managed Versus Co-Managed IT: Which One Is Right for Your Business?

The best way to decide whether you need managed vs co-managed IT services is to assess the needs of your company. You can work through these important questions to get a good idea of which service will be a good fit:

  • Do you have the internal resources to manage your IT infrastructure? If yes, go with co-managed IT.
  • Do you want more control over your IT infrastructure? If yes, co-managed IT would be your choice.
  • Do you need 24/7 support? If yes, managed services will probably be your best bet. Co-managed IT can also work, but you would need to make sure that your in-house team is available at all times.
  • Do you want someone else to take care of the day-to-day management of your IT infrastructure? If yes, go with managed services.
  • Are you looking for a long-term partner to help you with your IT needs? If yes, managed services would be the way to go.
  • Do you have a limited budget? Co-managed IT can be a great option if you want to save money.

Both managed vs co-managed IT services have their own advantages. By taking the time to assess your needs, you can be sure that you’re making the best decision for your company.

Find the Best IT Plan with Adrytech

The best way to know which IT service plan will help your business is by talking with an IT service provider. Adrytech is a provider of both managed and co-managed IT services. Contact us today to learn which service is best for your business!