As modern IT requirements evolve rapidly, it’s tough for internal IT teams to keep up. Managed IT services offer a viable alternative, but if you already have a great team, it doesn’t make sense to replace them just to get more capacity.
Can you get the best of both worlds?
Absolutely. Co-managed IT services are the answer. Your IT team can work alongside an expert provider, filling your gaps and providing comprehensive coverage.
But you want to find a provider who really fits into your culture and your team.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What are co-managed IT services?
At a high level, there are two ways to get the IT help you need:
- Internal staff resources
- Outsourced help
These two options might seem mutually exclusive, but they don’t have to be. Co-managed IT services allow your team to work alongside an expert provider. You can cover some needs through internal staff, while your managed IT service provider fills your gaps, helps with specialist expertise, and collaborates on strategy.
Organizations of all sizes are turning to this model. It allows them to round out their coverage while maintaining the great IT team they already have.
What does that look like in detail?
Here are the main reasons companies choose this model.
Why choose co-managed IT services?
The IT staffing challenge is real. Solving this challenge takes creativity—but the result is 100% worth it. In fact, a Corsica Technologies study found that fixing the staffing problem correlates with 125% higher profit growth.
So how do you solve the problem?
If you already have an internal IT team, you’re lightyears ahead of companies with no IT resources. Your team has insider knowledge of your operations and your company, and you can’t put a price on that.
But modern IT environments are evolving fast, and internal teams often run into limitations. Those limitations take two specific forms:
- Skillset
- Bandwidth
Alone or together, these issues can manifest in multiple ways that push companies toward a co-managed approach. Here are the most common reasons that clients come to us for co-managed services.
1. You need to expand your IT capabilities without the cost and hassle of internal hiring
Sometimes, your organization’s needs will outpace your ability to hire internally. Numerous factors can place you in this situation.
- The strategic launch of a new system
- Changing regulatory compliance requirements
- Bringing new branches or locations online
- Mergers and acquisitions
- New product lines, market segments, or go-to-market strategies
Whatever the reason, co-managed services deliver the scalability and flexibility you need to grow without taking on new hires in your IT department.
2. You have generalists on staff, but you need specialized expertise too
Perhaps your IT team focuses on end user support, network maintenance, and so on. In that case, you may have day-to-day IT support covered—but you may need help with more specialized, strategic issues. A co-managed approach can fill in these gaps and give you the comprehensive coverage you need.
3. You have specialists on staff, but you need generalists too
Perhaps your IT team has specialized experts, but you don’t have enough hands and feet to tackle more generalized duties. Co-managed support can round out your IT team, allowing your specialists to focus on strategic activities.
4. Your digital transformation plans will require new IT support capabilities
If you’re going in a major new direction with technology, you may not have the right internal resources to support the new systems that you need. Co-managed services can provide the required support for new technology solutions and operational processes—while your staff continues with their existing duties.
5. You need dedicated cybersecurity expertise
These days, it’s incredibly difficult for internal IT staff to keep up with cybersecurity. The threat landscape is simply evolving too fast. As large enterprises harden their defenses, criminals are looking for softer targets. Today, even midmarket companies need:
- 24/7/365 live, human monitoring by cyber experts
- AI-powered threat detection
- C-level cybersecurity consulting
- Regular cybersecurity training and phish testing for employees
It’s tough to cover all this with in-house hiring. That’s why many companies turn to co-managed services from an IT provider with deep cybersecurity expertise (like Corsica Technologies).
6. You need help with EDI and data integration
Wouldn’t it be great if your co-managed provider also handled EDI and data integration?
Unfortunately, most MSPs (managed IT service providers) can’t help you here. Among service providers, there’s a huge divide between IT and cybersecurity on the one hand—and EDI and data integration on the other.
This fact is unfortunate. It forces you to work with multiple service providers, and it complicates any co-managed IT services relationship.
The alternative is to find an MSP who covers EDI and data integration alongside IT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. This type of provider is rare, but they’re ideally positioned to take an integrated approach to your technology needs. That’s why we cover everything here at Corsica Technologies—not only IT and cyber, but EDI, data integration, digital transformation, consulting, and more.
Learn more here: Why Choose Corsica?
Life with a co-managed provider
What does life look like with a co-managed approach to IT?
Every provider is different. The answer will also depend on what kind of resources you have on staff—and what your provider can cover.
That said, here’s what you can expect as a Corsica client.
- A strong collaborative relationship. Our team is highly available, invested, and empathetic. We work as an extension of your organization, and our goal is mutual success.
- Clear roles and responsibilities coupled with flexibility and scalability. In a co-managed relationship, it’s important to understand who’s doing what. But the world of technology doesn’t allow us to be rigid. The Corsica team will work with you to determine clear roles—while also maintaining flexibility and scalability to step into additional responsibilities as needed. Learn more about how our clients achieve scalability.
- US-based help. Let’s be honest, offshore help doesn’t always deliver. That’s why the best co-managed IT providers hire US-based expertise, as we do here at Corsica Technologies. It’s one more way we place ourselves in the best possible position to support your organization.
- Cybersecurity experts on staff. Some MSPs outsource their cybersecurity offerings to third parties. This makes life easier for the provider, but it may not be right for you. Our team includes a deep bench of cybersecurity experts who work for us—not for a subcontractor. You know you’re getting real help on the issues that matter most.
- A transparent client portal that your IT team can use. Co-managed IT relationships work best when everyone is on the same page. That’s why every Corsica client gets a dedicated, real-time portal for managing systems, support requests, cybersecurity, and every aspect of our relationship. Learn more here: Client Portal Demo Video.
- 100% predictable billing. How many IT providers offer truly stable monthly pricing? It’s practically unheard-of. Instead, out-of-scope projects and fluctuating costs are the norm. But that’s hard on your budget. To solve this problem, we offer rock-solid monthly pricing, no matter how many hours you consume. It’s just one more way our co-managed services work as an extension of your internal IT team.
Co-managed IT case study: Southern Michigan Bank and Trust
Want to see co-managed IT services in real life? Check out this video on Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. The company was struggling to cover all their needs with staff hiring, which is why they turned to Corsica Technologies to round out their IT team.
Moving forward: Getting the co-managed services you need
If you’ve got a great IT team, but you need to take things farther, co-managed services may be the answer. The key is to find a provider who has comprehensive expertise, flexibility, and a can-do attitude. Here at Corsica Technologies, we’re revolutionizing the co-managed experience for companies that want to extend their IT capabilities. Get in touch with us today, and let’s take your next step.
Ready to explore co-managed services?
Reach out to schedule a consultation with our technology specialists.
