Managing a modern IT system is often a complex and unwieldy affair. From maintaining software and ensuring network security, to balancing data access with compliance regulations and developing tech strategy, the workload can be extremely hefty for a small internal team. IT co-management is the practice of sharing part of this workload with an external partner. By doing so, you can merge the talents of your internal team with the expertise and support of a managed service provider, giving you access to a broader spectrum of knowledge and tech skills.
Why should I consider co-managed IT?
IT co-management doesn’t mean relinquishing control, it simply means sharing the burden of IT management around so that your in-house team can play to their strengths. You should consider this strategy if:
Your IT personnel are overwhelmed. We use the word “personnel” loosely. We understand that small businesses often don’t have dedicated IT employees at their disposal. Whether you have a tech team of 3,2,1 or 0, IT pressures never let up, and can present an overwhelming administrative burden. Cyber criminality has been increasing in recent years meaning security-vigilance is more vital than ever. Plus, with more and more employees seeking the flexibility of remote working, IT landscapes have become more intricate, with an abundance of remote endpoint devices and cloud services to manage. If your IT team is burnt out, co-management could give them the headspace to focus on the things they do best.
New projects are on the horizon. Regardless of the magnitude of the changes you want to implement, altering systems and processes while remaining operational and compliant can be a struggle without the right support. Co-management provides room to maneuver under such circumstances, and will ensure that your business resources aren’t stretched to breaking point.
You have a skills “blind spot.” There are some exceptional IT professionals out there, and you may well have some in your in-house team. However, with the intricacies inherent in modern IT systems, it’s very difficult to assemble a small team with the knowledge and skills needed for every issue or project. Here, co-management can be used to insert the right expertise at exactly the right time; allowing you to resolve issues quickly and meet your project goals faster.
So how does IT co-management work?
Adopting a co-management strategy is best done in three stages.
First, comprehensively consider the skills, knowledge and experience you have available to you in-house. If you don’t have dedicated IT professionals, ask those in your team who perform IT-related duties what their knowledge and experience extend to.
Secondly, consider your operational or departmental goals in respect of your IT. Are your current team able to ensure that you meet your compliance obligations? Are they equipped with all the skills needed to develop your systems? Are they overstretched and in need of some operational support?
Lastly, identify an IT partner with the skills and service offering to augment your team. Seek a dynamic partner with a can-do attitude who’s willing to tailor a support package to suit your needs.
How you implement a co-managed arrangement is entirely up to you. Some organisations seek a partner who functions in a supporting role; offering helpdesk and break-fix support. For others, they’re looking for an MSP who’ll help guide their future tech strategy and offer top-tier technical guidance for elaborate projects. An important factor to consider is the willingness of any partner to adapt the arrangement to the changing needs of your organization. As your businesses changes its operational model, or scales up/down, it’s important to have an IT partner who’ll be responsive to these changes.
How can co-managed IT benefit my business?
Enhanced security
An effective IT partner will be able to secure every vulnerability in your IT setup using industry-leading tools coupled with many years of security expertise. Employing an external partner in a security-focused capacity will let you get on with running your business safe in the knowledge that your data and systems are defended against the cyber bad guys.
Immediate deployment, instant results
Need to expand your tech team fast but don’t have time for the hiring process? Co-management means gaining access to new skills, new capacity and new capabilities without the long, drawn-out hassle of bringing new members into your team. With a slick onboarding process, co-management grants access to the resources you need in days; not weeks or months.
Cost Efficiency
Co-management offers cost savings through the flexibility it offers compared with hiring new IT staff. Economies of scale allow external providers to offer services such as helpdesk support on a more cost-effective basis compared to employing another team member on full-time hours. You also won’t have to worry about the HR time and cost hurdles associated with employing extra staff, such as onboarding, paid leave and sickness. Co-management provides the services you need to supplement your existing team without the administrative legwork.
Boosted employee morale
By taking the pressure off your existing team through IT co-management, you’ll give your employees a smooth-running, fully optimized IT system without the associated maintenance burden. Sales teams and operations personnel will enjoy tech that works with them, not against them, and your internal IT team will be free to focus on tasks that exercise their strengths.
Why Centarus?
Whether you’re looking for help with a cloud deployment, seeking to outsource your IT support or need help securing your network, Centarus has the experience and credentials to ensure the success of any tech project. We’ll work with your organization to develop a co-management strategy that complements the talents of your in-house team while plugging the gaps and deficiencies in your existing setup. Customer-focused and commercially aware, we’ll work in harmony with your operation and your commercial objectives by providing premium support and only the best, tailored solutions for your business.
