Understanding Co-Managed IT: A Smarter Way to Support Your Internal Team
Many businesses are starting to explore co-managed IT, but it can be hard to know exactly when it's the right move. So how do you know if your organization needs a co-managed provider?
The answer often starts when you recognize that your internal IT team could use a boost, either in expertise, manpower, or both. Maybe you're not necessarily looking to replace your internal team, but you’re also not getting everything you need from them alone. That’s where co-managed IT steps in. The goal isn’t just to add more hands, it’s to add value.
The real question you should be asking is: What can the internal team and a co-managed provider do together that we can’t accomplish alone? If you can’t clearly define that value, it may be time to reassess what you’re trying to achieve.
What Co-Managed IT Should Look Like. At Simplex-IT, we approach this through something we call CoMITs. We bring the same powerful tools, resources, and knowledge we offer our fully managed clients and give your internal IT team the ability to use them. Think of it like handing them a superhero utility belt: Captain America’s shield or Iron Man’s suit of IT products. We don’t take over; we empower your team to do more.
They still lead the charge, but they’ve got us in their corner for backup, ready to jump in, help, or carry some of the weight when things get heavy.
Now, that’s different from what we call Silo IT, where a business only needs help in one specific area, like cloud resources, backups, or database management.
The Right Questions to Ask. If you're considering a co-managed solution, you should be asking:
How integrated will our teams be? Will your internal IT staff collaborate directly with the co-managed team, or will they work separately?
What are you providing before extra charges kick in? Transparency is key.
What’s not included? Knowing what's off the table helps you avoid future surprises.
How does this partner adapt? Ask what they’re doing differently this year compared to last. Are they evolving? Are they bringing innovation to your doorstep?
What Makes a Good Co-Managed Provider. A great co-managed provider should complement, not clash with, your current team. They should follow best practices that align with your business and provide straight answers, not fluff.
You want someone who:
Stays up to date with the latest tech
Communicates risks clearly and honestly provides transparent access and training to their tools
And most importantly, they need to respect your internal IT team.
Yes, an MSP likely has more experience with general networks and infrastructure. But your internal people know your company inside and out. That mutual respect is non-negotiable.
What to Avoid. Avoid providers that promise to solve all your problems without understanding them first. Be cautious of MSPs who are rigid in their ways or come across as condescending.
And if your plan is to spend the bare minimum or insist on doing everything your way, co-managed IT might not work for you. It’s a partnership, not a band-aid.
Final Thoughts. A lot of MSPs say they offer co-managed services, but very few explain how they do it. That’s because many don’t have a clear approach or standardized process. That’s why at Simplex-IT, we put our methods into writing, literally. We wrote the book on it, because we believe that if you can’t explain your strategy, you don’t really have one.
Co-managed IT isn’t about outsourcing, it’s about amplifying. It’s about taking what’s already working and making it stronger. If that sounds like what your business needs, it might be time to explore co-managed the right way.
Still have questions or need assistance schedule a call with us or visit our Learning Center for more information. We're here to help!
