Managed IT Services vs. Co-Managed IT: Understanding the Difference

For small businesses, dedicating the time and resources to provide comprehensive in-house IT can be a challenge. A qualified managed service provider can cover essential IT functions, freeing up staff to focus on other tasks. Every business is unique, and their IT needs will vary. For some, managed IT services are the best fit. For others, co-managed IT is an ideal solution. Learn about the difference between managed and co-managed IT support in this guide from Tekie Geek, a top provider of IT services for businesses in New York and New Jersey.

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT is a type of service in which a third-party business handles all the day-to-day oversight and tasks associated with an organization’s IT infrastructure. If a business does not have the right expertise on staff, it needs an IT outsourcing solution. A managed IT provider can handle:

• Equipment and network management
• Data security and privacy monitoring
• Cloud computing or on-premises services
• Endpoint device protection

What Are the Benefits of Managed IT?

Managed IT services offer several advantages, including:

• Expertise: Organizations can take advantage of a service provider’s resources and experience, without having to hire full-time IT staff.
• Monitoring: Managed IT service providers like Tekie Geek offer 24/7 monitoring and technical support, which would not be feasible for a small business to provide in-house.
• Efficiency: Outsourcing work to an IT consultant saves the organization time and frees up internal staff who may not have the right IT capabilities or knowledge.

What Are Co-Managed IT Services?

Some small and medium-sized businesses have a dedicated IT department with one or more employees. However, they may not have the time or expertise to provide comprehensive IT support. In this type of scenario, a co-managed IT arrangement can be helpful.

Responsibility for managing IT infrastructure is shared between the client and the IT provider, according to the terms of a service agreement. Third-party providers can fill in service gaps and support internal staff. Additionally, co-managed services mean that internal IT staff members can learn from more experienced professionals.

What Are the Benefits of Co-Managed IT?

The benefits of using a co-managed IT service include:

• Customization: Co-managed IT can be tailored to meet the organization’s needs to avoid duplication of services.
• Cost savings: Using co-managed IT may be less expensive than fully managed IT, making it a good option for small businesses on a tight budget.
• Scalability: Outsourced services can be adjusted as the client organization grows and changes.

Like managed IT, co-managed IT offers enhanced cybersecurity tools that can help small businesses protect themselves from data breaches, brute-force attacks, and data loss.

Find Your IT Superheroes at Tekie Geek

Both co-managed and fully-managed IT services are valuable options for small and medium-sized businesses. At Tekie Geek, we’ll get to know your organization and help you find the right IT solution for your needs. Serving clients throughout New York and New Jersey, the computer consultants at Tekie Geek provide co-managed IT as well as managed IT services for businesses that need more robust support. We’ll customize our services to your needs, and can offer:

• Data security audits and evaluations
• Business continuity planning
• Microsoft 365 license management
• Cloud computing
• Unified communications solutions
• Dark Web monitoring
• Email encryption
• Backup protection
• Employee training

We pride ourselves on unparalleled customer service, IT expertise, and 24/7/365 support. For more information, call our team at 347-830-7322 or contact us today.

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