At this point you may be familiar with the concept of managed IT services. And you have probably made a decision as to if this model works for your small to medium sized business.
No matter how your IT department is operating at this time, it may be time for you to consider co-managed IT services. This solution can offer the best of all worlds when it comes to balancing time, budget and technology in your organization.
Managed IT Services vs. Co-Managed IT Services
Utilizing managed IT services basically involves outsourcing your IT to a third-party company. The outside company essentially assumes managing control of your IT support; providing economies of scale and an expert knowledge base. Managed services also provide much-needed relief to many small companies who do not have the team to handle both day-to-day operations and growth planning. Managed IT services are a great option for small or medium-sized businesses who d not have an expert IT team.
However, many small business owners are worried about losing control as their business grows. The fear of a disconnect between business goals and everyday operations is an ongoing concern of those resistant to outsourcing. However, they also can’t easily hire a deep bench of professionals who can handle constant user issues, software patches, security protocols, anti-virus efforts, technology management, server upgrades, and technology assessments to plan and budget for growth.
Co-managed IT services involve integrating the two solutions; and is achieved by hiring your own dedicated IT staff, but also enlisting the help of subject matter experts. This collaborative effort gives your employees the relief they need to effectively carry out their responsibilities, while also allowing them to seek timely assistance in solving time-consuming issues. However, because they are working jointly with the IT manages services firm, the disconnect between today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth is minimized.
Co-managed IT services can offer your company a broad spectrum of benefits, ranging from deep expertise to lower costs, improved security, and greater productivity.
Which is Right for Your Sarasota Business?
Signs that your IT team may be getting overwhelmed:
- Response to ongoing user needs continually push project timelines backwards
- Resolution to important issues is taking days, as your team researches the answer
- The expertise and skill level of your employees hasn’t grown with the technology
- Your “IT person” is actually a member of another department
- Budget decisions are labored and confusing, not really knowing what you need next
- Your competition is winning market share with superior technology solutions
The Case for Managed Services:
- Managed services firms provide a strategic team who can handle unexpected problems quickly and efficiently
- They relieve pressure on IT employees bogged down with user expectations
- They can provide insight and expertise as to a technology growth plan
- They can assist in prioritizing IT budgets
- Managed services firms can provide economies of scale in purchasing, licensing and technology utilization
- They can keep your company safe and protected with cutting edge knowledge of security issues and threats
Co-Managed IT Services:
- Keep an onsite IT presence for user and management communication and immediate response
- Takes advantage of a deep bench of experts which the small business would not have the resources to hire in-house
- Marries the business needs of the organization with strategic IT growth, reducing disconnects
- Allows internal IT teams to grow in knowledge and skill as they work with dedicated IT professionals on a daily basis.
If you see the benefit to managed IT services but are not sure exactly how to implement at your organization, call Alliance IT today. We will consult with you and your team to determine the right course of action, customized for your specific business. Because in the end, managed services are about teamwork and collaboration.
