Co-Managed IT Services

Our collaborative approach combines the convenience of internal IT with the expertise of an MSP.

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Co-Managed IT vs Managed IT: What's the Difference?

When it comes to IT services, businesses often face the choice between co-managed and managed IT solutions. Understanding the differences between these two approaches can help you make an informed decision that best suits your organization’s needs.

Co-Managed IT

Co-managed IT services involve a collaborative partnership between your internal IT team and an external IT service provider. This approach allows your business to leverage the expertise and resources of a third-party provider while maintaining control over certain aspects of your IT operations. 

  • Collaborative Partnership: Your internal IT team works alongside the external provider. 
  • Flexibility: You can choose which IT functions to outsource and which to keep in-house. 
  • Enhanced Support: Gain access to specialized skills and resources without fully outsourcing. 
  • Scalability: Easily scale IT services up or down based on your business needs. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Optimize costs by only outsourcing specific tasks or projects. 

Managed IT

Managed IT services involve outsourcing the entirety of your IT operations to an external provider. This approach is ideal for businesses that prefer to focus on their core activities while leaving IT management to experts. 

  • Full Outsourcing: The external provider takes full responsibility for your IT operations. 
  • Proactive Management: Continuous monitoring and maintenance to prevent issues before they arise. 
  • Comprehensive Solutions: Access to a wide range of IT services, including cybersecurity, network management, and data backup. 
  • Predictable Costs: Fixed monthly fees for comprehensive IT support. 
  • Expertise: Benefit from the provider’s extensive knowledge and experience in managing IT systems. 

Why Choose a Co-Managed IT Service Model for Your Business

The co-managed IT model is designed to empower your internal team—not replace it. By combining the strengths of your in-house expertise with the specialized knowledge and resources of an external provider, your business gains a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution that adapts to your evolving IT needs.

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Benefits of Co-Managed IT for Your Business

Drive Growth

Free your internal team to pursue innovation and revenue-generating projects by offloading routine support and tapping into specialized expertise as needed

Reduce Risk

Protect your business with access to expert support in cybersecurity, compliance, and cloud—ensuring greater peace of mind and operational resilience.

Control Costs

Get exactly the services you need—nothing more, nothing less—so you can bridge skill gaps, complete projects faster, and avoid the expense of full-time hires without compromising quality

Unlock the Secrets to Efficient IT Management Services

Download our free eGuide to discover how Managed IT Services can transform your business with proactive monitoring, enhanced security, and strategic IT planning. Learn what a managed IT service provider is, see example MSP contracts, and explore key considerations for selecting the right MSP.

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Co-Managed IT Services Case Study:

“We’d worked with Managed Solution on a successful IT project in the past, so we had a good idea of their capabilities. Since they were at Microsoft Partner, in addition to projects they were able to support our software licensing. This was especially important to make sure that we have a compliant IT function error radar”.

– Dennis Gonzales, Sr. Principal, Information Systems and Technology.

Co-Managed IT Services FAQs

Co-managed IT is a partnership between an internal IT team and an external IT provider, allowing businesses to supplement their existing IT resources without fully outsourcing.

Fully managed IT replaces an internal IT team, while co-managed IT works alongside your team, providing additional expertise and support where needed.

Services often include help desk support, cybersecurity, network monitoring, cloud management, disaster recovery, and IT strategy consulting.

Businesses with overworked IT staff, knowledge gaps, or scalability concerns can benefit from co-managed IT services.

It provides access to advanced security tools, 24/7 monitoring, and compliance support to strengthen your IT defenses.

Yes! It allows businesses to access specialized IT expertise without the expense of hiring and training additional full-time staff.