In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, IT plays a critical role in the success of a business. 

But as any manager knows, there is never enough time, expertise, or tools to do everything you need. 

As your company scales, your IT demands grow in complexity, stretching your internal IT team to its limit. 

Co-managed IT services provide a strategic solution that bridges the gaps and empowers your in-house IT team to thrive.

What Are Co-Managed IT Services?

Co-managed IT services involve a collaborative partnership between your in-house IT team and an external managed service provider (MSP). 

This approach enables your business to access specialized tools, expertise, and 24/7 support while still maintaining control over your IT operations. Rather than replacing your IT department, co-managed services supplement it, ensuring no critical tasks are left unattended.

How Can Co-Managed IT Services Help Your Business

Co-managed IT services offer a strategic partnership between your internal IT team and a managed service provider, enabling your business to operate more effectively and securely.

Here are a few ways a co-managed IT service provider can benefit your business.

Fill Gaps

No IT team can excel in every area. Whether it's due to limited resources, expertise, or time, gaps in your IT coverage can lead to vulnerabilities. The average IT worker reports they can only support 85% of the tickets they receive each day.

Co-managed IT services help fill these gaps by providing:

• Specialized Expertise: Gain access to experts in areas like cloud computing, compliance, or advanced cybersecurity that may be outside your team’s skill set.
• Scalable Resources: Meet fluctuating demands, such as project-based needs or seasonal spikes, without overburdening your team.
• Advanced Tools: Leverage cutting-edge technology and software that may otherwise be expensive or challenging to manage in-house.

Ensure Business Continuity

Unexpected disruptions like cyberattacks, hardware failures, or natural disasters can be devastating. Co-managed IT services provide proactive solutions to ensure your business keeps running, such as:

• Disaster Recovery Plans: Comprehensive strategies to restore critical systems and data with minimal downtime.
• Proactive Maintenance and Patch Management: Regular updates, patches, and system health checks to prevent failures before they occur.
• 24x7x365 Monitoring: Continuous monitoring ensures potential threats or issues are identified and resolved before they impact your operations.

Enhance Cybersecurity

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and protecting your business requires more than just basic antivirus software. Co-managed IT services enhance your cybersecurity through:

• Threat Detection and Response: Advanced tools that identify and neutralize threats in real-time.
• Compliance Support: Assistance in meeting industry regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS, ensuring data protection and avoiding costly penalties.
• Employee Training: Ongoing education for your staff to recognize phishing attempts, malware, and other cyber risks.

Around-The-Clock Support

IT issues don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Your business needs support whenever problems arise. Co-managed IT services provide:

• Day-to-Day and After-Hours Support: Daily support for routine issues during regular hours, with 24/7 assistance available for business-critical issues
• 24x7x365 Monitoring: Real-time alerts and rapid response to minimize downtime and disruption.
  

Reduce Employee Burnout

IT professionals often juggle multiple responsibilities, leading to stress, errors, and even turnover. 58% of IT workers say they feel overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities and tasks. 

 Co-managed IT services ease the burden by:

• Sharing Workloads: Offloading routine tasks like system updates, patch management, or password resets.
• Allowing Focus on Strategic Tasks: Freeing up your team to work on high-value projects that drive business growth.
• Preventing Burnout: Ensuring your team is not overstretched during critical times, such as migrations or large deployments.

Optimize Efficiency 

Efficient IT operations are essential for maintaining a competitive advantage and meeting customer expectations. Co-managed IT services enhance efficiency by:

• Streamlining Processes: Eliminating redundancies and automating repetitive tasks to improve productivity.
• Customizing Solutions: Tailored services that align with your unique business needs, reducing wasted effort.
• Providing Strategic Insights: Access to IT consultants who can help you plan and execute initiatives that support long-term goals.

Key Considerations When Choosing A Co-Managed IT Service Provider

Not every IT services provider is the same. Selecting the right co-managed IT service provider is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s IT performance and overall success. 

A reliable provider will complement your internal IT team, offering flexibility in services and strategies to enhance efficiency and security. Here are the key factors you should consider when making your choice.

Dedicated Client Manager

Don’t get lost in a sea of other clients. Check that you will have an assigned client manager that acts as your virtual CTO. This person should be available to work with your leadership to formulate a strategic technology plan. 

They should host quarterly meetings where your vCTO will review progress and ensure continued strategic alignment with your business needs.

Flexibility 

Your co-managed IT services should be customizable, allowing you to choose the services your company needs. Having flexibility ensures your IT services are cost-effective, efficient, and scalable as your needs evolve.

Comprehensive Reporting

Your co-managed IT services provider should give you comprehensive reporting with metrics and insight into your IT systems and infrastructure.

Proactive Approach

Another thing to look out for is processes that show they are proactive. They should have regular monitoring and maintenance to keep an eye out for problems and take immediate action outside of business hours. 

This ensures your company’s security and productivity are not impacted.

Expertise In Your Industry

Every industry, from law firms to accounting firms, has unique IT needs, from compliance requirements to specialized tools and workflows. Partnering with a provider that has experience in your industry ensures they can understand your unique challenges and provide industry-specific solutions. 

Empower Your Business With An Expert Co-Managed IT Services Partner

At Tabush Group, we specialize in bridging the gap between in-house IT teams and the growing demands of modern businesses. Our Edge Co-Managed IT Services provide the tools, expertise, and 24/7 support your business needs to thrive.

With our help, your IT team can focus on fundamental operations while we take care of specialized services such as cybersecurity, system maintenance, and compliance. Our proven processes ensure you have reliable, secure, and scalable IT infrastructure that supports your business objectives.

Don’t let IT gaps hold your business back. Contact us today to learn more about how Edge Co-Managed IT Services can transform your business.