In today’s business world, comprehensive IT Management is rarely a one-person job. For years growth-oriented businesses have partnered with skilled Managed Service Providers to manage the complexity of IT for their businesses. As these complexities and the overall scope of IT have increased, larger organizations are now looking for the right IT partnership to subsidize their current internal teams.

This is where Co-Managed IT Services comes in.

Co-Managed IT Services are designed for companies that wish to maintain an internal IT team that is intimately familiar with their business and culture, yet needs the expansive knowledge and skillset, as well as the scalability of a Managed Service Provider. It is the perfect solution for companies that wish to refocus their in-house staff on what they’re great at while supplementing their expertise and capabilities with a Managed IT Service Provider. The two teams work together, dividing the IT responsibilities to ensure all bases are covered and complementing each other’s skills.

The most frequent customer feedback we receive is that the partnership between their internal team and ACT’s managed service team has streamlined their operations.

How Co-Managed IT Services Works

Traditional IT support usually came in two flavors: In-house staffed and outsourced to a Managed Service Provider. Co-Managed IT brings the best of both worlds together. Key focus areas like helpdesk, desktop support, field support, project management, IT security, server support, infrastructure management, and application support are among the most common areas addressed in a co-managed support model.

Co-Managed support takes the burden off your internal IT team, allowing them to handle the key areas where they are most skilled. Working with a Managed Service Provider gives your internal team an escalation point on complex issues that need to be addressed immediately. Together, your internal IT team and Managed Service Provider can build a scalable technology plan aligned with your business growth goals, manage and troubleshoot your day-to-day operations, and accomplish everything in between.

When working with a Managed Service Provider, your organization benefits greatly from the support stack they offer. This ranges from product support tools to dedicated support teams. Here is a list of the most common items included in a Co-Managed IT solution:

• 24/7/365 network monitoring and maintenance
• Proactive software patching and security updates
• Helpdesk support
• Centralized ticket management
• Project implementations
• Automated backup and disaster recovery solutions
• Security solutions
• Cloud solutions and support
• Hardware/software procurement
• Technology Planning
• And much more

Benefits of Co-Managed IT Services

There are many benefits to partnering with an established Managed Service Provider for Co-Managed IT Services. One of the most attractive benefits is the proven cost savings. Rather than maintaining and constantly training a fully staffed IT department, you can supplement your existing team with highly trained and knowledgeable professionals, hand-picked to provide the specific service you require. Plus, you can more reliably control your IT budget with a predictable monthly spend.

Additional benefits that will improve your efficiency and increase your profitability include:

• 24x7x365 availability
• Reduced operating expenses
• Scalability to match your growth goals and accommodate special projects and events
• Less downtime
• Faster response times
• Access to highly trained engineers and project managers
• Happier employees
• High-level technology architecting
• Escalation points for complex technical issues

ACT will help you expand your IT department’s capabilities, realize your employees’ full potential, reduce your IT problems, and save money while accomplishing more.

Contact ACT today to learn how your business can benefit from our Co-Managed IT Services. We look forward to providing you with a cost-effective, stress-free solution that will help ensure your long-term success.