Co Managed Services

What are CO-MANAGED IT Services?

One employee cannot manage the complexity of IT networks, system regulations, industry regulations, cloud computing and cybersecurity. Co-Managed Services is an IT model that combines the convenience and strategic frameworks of an internal IT team with support and extensive knowledge from a managed-service provider.

What is a co-managed IT service?

Co-managed IT allows administrators and businesses to choose which IT services they want to retain in-house and which ones to outsource. This gives businesses the unique opportunity to combine the efficiency and convenience of an external IT management company with their in-house experts to maximize efficiency. You can choose and select the resources that you require, and when. IT co-management offers the opportunity to form a partnership to support, strengthen and sustain your IT team.

HOW DOES CO-MANAGED IT FLOW?

Many companies need additional staff or help from outside IT management services. Outsourcing IT operations completely is not a good idea for them. This is where the co-management approach comes in. You can:

1. 1. Analyze the IT department’s current needs, skills and resources.
   2. Determine the services and resources that you require to achieve your department’s or organization’s goals.
   3. To supplement these services, you can partner with a third party organization.

Each business is different and requires different approaches to co-management. Some companies might rely on their IT department for helpdesk support, while others may turn to an external partner for security and large-scale strategy development. Co-management can be flexible. As your resources or needs change, your co-management strategy will also.

CO-MANAGED IT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO WHOM?

If you have one or more of these criteria, co-management may be the best IT solution.

• Your IT staff is either too small or overworked. IT departments can become overwhelmed if they are faced with increased demand, new projects or staff on leave. Businesses have the option of hiring additional staff. However, this can prove costly and time-consuming. It may not be worth the time and money if the support is temporary. To get the benefits and support of an outside co-manager, supplement your current department without requiring the same level of commitment.
• You are starting a new project. You can get critical IT projects completed without having to compromise already-stressed business resources. You will need co-managed IT to help your staff make smoother transitions and maintain operations as your business changes.
• Knowledge gap Even the most experienced and skilled IT staff may not be able to solve a particular task or problem. An outside party with special expertise can help fill in the gaps and assist your team in achieving more in a shorter time.

Many organizations, including banks, financial institutions, schools, and health care facilities, are struggling with these issues.

The pros and cons of co-managed IT services

While co-managed IT has many benefits, there are a few things you should consider before choosing it as your management method.

CO-MANAGED IT – THE OPPORTUNITY

While co-management has many of the same benefits as total third-party IT management, it allows you to retain control over selected tasks and lets your IT team concentrate on their expertise. These are just a few of the reasons to consider co-management for your company or department.

• Control your operations: Your IT team has full administrative access and can access tools and services offered by Morefielld. You can choose which areas you wish to simplify with third-party input, and then direct the rest towards in-house employees.
• Management is easier with less responsibility Third-party assistance makes it easier to keep your operations running smoothly and work faster. You are not responsible for the training and guiding of a third-party expert, unlike hiring new staff members. Access to a wide range of IT professionals who have a variety of experience can help you to develop or implement strategies, provide valuable insight, and improve your day-today.
• Stay on top of the latest trends You can keep up with IT trends like software, security, and technology without spending extra time or resources training your staff.
• Support available 24 hours a day A co-management IT model offers the greatest advantage. You can provide support around-the clock, even after-hours. This is a vital quality for businesses that don’t operate from 9-5. They can even cover vacation or sick time, so you can take your time and be assured that the network and systems will still be supported.
• Get instant implementation: You don’t have to spend time looking for, training and hiring new staff for temporary or one-off projects. Co-management allows you to immediately implement new strategies or projects with no commitment.
• Reduce and reallocate your hiring costs External specialists can be added to your IT department, allowing you to achieve more with less staff and resources on-site. This will result in cost savings and a better IT budget. External experts can provide valuable insight on which products or technologies are most beneficial for your business. This will result in long-term savings as well as benefits.
• Increase employee morale Improved strategies, faster response times, professional consultations, and decision support can all be empowering tools that can foster a positive culture within your IT department. You create a work environment that encourages productivity and focuses more on the task at hand by giving them the resources they require.
• Increase your security Our best-in-class tools and processes will help you improve your cybersecurity posture. Our partnership will help you implement vulnerability management, security information, and event monitoring (SIEM), device management, endpoint defense, and many other features.

DISADVANTAGES OF COMANAGED IT

• It is crucial to choose the right partner It is crucial to choose the right partner IT in order to achieve success with the co-management platform. You need to be able to rely on them for the right tools, experience, and flexibility. You may need to go through lengthy transitional or onboarding periods depending on your partnering company.
• There are possible compatibility issues. To ensure smooth operation throughout your partnership, make sure you check with your IT partner about software compatibility and requirements.
• There are upfront charges: Co-management can save you money, but upfront fees for your partnership will still be paid by you. You have some control over the costs as you only pay what you use and when you need them.

How to choose the right IT co-management partner

It is crucial that you first audit your current IT operations before you start your search for the right third-party to manage your IT. Compare what skills and services you have to offer to others to determine where you are lacking. This will help you to see what you have, what you can afford, and what you want in a partner.

When you are ready to move forward, take a look at the following characteristics to help you make the right decision for your business.

SERVICE MODEL

Third-party IT management companies may have different co-management arrangements. These could include different technology, time commitments or resources. Each option should be carefully researched and compared to determine which is best for you, your team, project, and business.

Pay attention to these:

• Contract details: Take into account the details of the contract including the duration, services provided, and the division and responsibilities. Co-management means flexibility so that you can find the help and support you need, no matter if it is temporary assistance for a project or ongoing supplemental support.
• Services Included: Consider the type of services the third-party management company offers, as well as the scope of the services they offer and the tools, technology, and equipment they use for successful tasks. What are their plans of action in case of a system failure, power outage, or other disaster? What kind of security and data backup do they provide?
• Communication method Successful IT co-management is built on open and frequent communication. Before you decide to partner with a company’s IT department, both the third-party manager and your IT department should discuss their communication plan. This includes the methods of communication (phone, email, videoconference, in-person meetings etc. — and the frequency of emergency procedures.
• Mission alignment Finally, look at the mission and goals of your company. What does the mission statement and objectives of the company align with your business goals? Some businesses and organizations, such as non-profits, may have similar passions and dedications that could lead to a more successful comanagement partnership.

EXPERIENCE

It is important to choose a partner in co-management with IT management experience. These are some examples:

• Referrals You can seek the guidance of industry experts or others in your company who have had success using a co-management approach if you are unsure about where to begin your search.
• Review: After you have found a company that you are interested in partnering with, make sure to check the references and review previous clients. Ask for samples of past
• IT management projects. This includes co-management and total project management. You can find out about their skills, technical expertise, professionalism, and communication.
• Expertise For both internal staff and external partners, expertise is an important hiring criteria. You should consider their technical skills, past strategies and the scope of previous projects. For a smooth transition, look for partners who have IT experience in your field or industry.
• Tools Ask your partner for a list of technology, software, and strategies they have used and what resources they can bring to your team.

FLEXIBILITY

An IT co-management partnership must have flexibility. Your team must know that your partner can adapt to changing circumstances and address new issues. Ask potential partners about their formal escalation process. This includes any tools that they use to manage projects or resolve issues. You should also consider the ways they update tickets and how long tickets stay at one tier before being escalated. Post-escalation includes notifying the parties involved and marking tickets as completed before using the information for future training.

Be aware of the different time zones that may affect communication and duties. Partner with someone who is familiar with your area and your business.

COST

You should be able to afford the third-party partnership you choose. These cost factors should be kept in mind

• Check your financial situation: You need to understand your financial situation before you outsource any part of your IT work. You need to know what you can afford and where there are savings opportunities. Also, understand the ongoing costs associated with each potential partner.
• Be honest about your budget Your third-party manager should be honest. Tell your third-party manager about your budget so they know what tools and resources you have available and what they might be expected to do for your operation.
• Keep an eye on your ongoing expenses Keep track of all IT expenses. Compare the upfront fees charged by third parties with the savings from not having to hire additional IT staff. You can make adjustments as necessary.