There is a lot of confusion about the difference between co-managed IT and managed IT. Some people think they are the same thing, while others think that co-managed IT is just a lower level of managed IT.
In this blog post, we will clear up the confusion and explain what each one is. We will also discuss how you can decide which option is best for your company.
Pros and Cons of Co-Managed IT
So, what is co-managed IT? Co-managed IT is when you have a team of in-house IT professionals and an outside IT company that work together to manage your IT systems.
This partnership is beneficial because it allows you to have the best of both worlds. You have the knowledge, expertise, and additional support of an outside company, as well as the familiarity and comfort of working with in-house IT professionals.
There are some downsides to co-managed IT as well:
- It can be more expensive than managed IT because you are paying for both the in-house team and the outside company.
- It can be difficult to find an outside company that is a good fit for your company and that will work well with your in-house team.
- Co-managed IT can be less effective than managed IT if there is siloed communication and disjointed teamwork.
Pros and Cons of Managed IT
Managed IT is when you outsource all of your IT needs to an outside company. This can be beneficial because it allows you to focus on your core business without having to worry about your IT systems. It can also be less expensive than co-managed IT because you do not have to pay for the salaries of in-house IT professionals.
Another great benefit to managed IT is the freedom to choose a company that specializes in IT and that has a lot of experience managing IT systems in your industry. This can lead to a more effective IT management system for your company.
One downside of managed IT is that you could lose the familiarity and comfort of working with in-house IT professionals if you don’t cultivate strong partnerships and clear lines of communication.
How to Decide
So, how do you decide which option is best for your company? There are a few factors you should consider. The first is cost. Managed IT can be less expensive, but it all depends on your specific needs.
The second factor to consider is expertise. If you have complex IT needs, you may want to consider co-managed IT so that you can benefit from the expertise of both in-house and outside IT professionals.
You should also consider your comfort level. If you are more comfortable working with in-house IT professionals, co-managed IT may be the best option for you. That way, you can have in-house expertise while also making sure they have the additional support they need to keep up with your IT demands.
Summary and Next Steps
In summary, co-managed IT is when you have a team of in-house IT professionals and an outside IT company that work together to manage your IT systems. Managed IT is when you outsource all of your IT needs to an outside company. You can decide which option is best for your company by considering factors such as cost, expertise, and comfort level.
If you want to learn more about co-managed and managed IT, reach out to one of our IT professionals from Praxis today. We’re experts in the field and have helped dozens of businesses create custom managed IT plans that suit their needs.
