When your business runs on technology (and whose doesn’t?), you need confidence that your IT team has the expertise and bandwidth to handle everything required to keep your operations running smoothly. This is where options like all-inclusive IT services or co-managed IT services can make a significant difference. Whether you have an internal IT manager, a small IT staff, or someone “good with technology” overseeing IT, there may come a time when their capabilities aren’t enough.
This situation puts your organization at risk. Downtime, employee and customer frustration, loss of competitive advantage, and even cyber-attacks are just some of the potential impacts.
The good news? You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Outsourcing IT services can provide the comprehensive or supplemental support your business needs to thrive. This includes leveraging advanced technologies like AI to optimize operations and gain competitive advantages, which may be difficult to achieve with an internal IT team alone.
The right choice between all-inclusive and co-managed IT services depends on the size of your business, the level of internal IT resources you have, and how much responsibility you want to retain for hiring and managing IT personnel.
Let’s break down the differences between these options so you can determine which fits your business best.
- All-Inclusive Managed IT Services: Overview and Who It’s For
- Co-Managed IT Services: Overview and Who It’s For
- Types of Co-Managed IT Services: Overview and Who It’s For
- Choosing the Right Option
All-Inclusive Managed IT Services
Overview:
All-inclusive managed IT services provide your business with a fully outsourced IT department. This includes managing all aspects of IT and cybersecurity, plus strategic guidance from a Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) to help you plan and budget for the future. It’s a comprehensive solution designed to ensure your technology supports your business goals seamlessly.
Who this is for:
This approach works best for small to medium-sized businesses with complex technology needs or those looking to leverage technology to its fullest potential. It eliminates the burden of hiring, training, and managing IT staff while providing access to advanced expertise and tools.
Co-Managed IT Services
Overview:
Co-managed IT services, sometimes referred to as co-managed IT solutions, are designed to augment your internal team by filling gaps in expertise, capacity, or both. This option allows you to maintain some in-house IT responsibilities while outsourcing specific tasks or areas of your IT environment.
Who This is For:
Co-managed IT services are ideal for businesses that want to retain some control over their IT operations while leveraging external expertise for specialized tasks or scaling their capacity. This approach is particularly beneficial for companies with internal IT teams that need additional support without fully outsourcing their IT management.
Types of Co-Managed IT Services:
Cybersecurity Services:
Overview: Outsourced cybersecurity services provide robust protection and compliance support, complementing your existing IT team’s efforts.
Who This Is For: Suitable for businesses of all sizes that require enhanced cybersecurity measures, especially those in regulated industries.
IT Infrastructure Management:
Overview: An outsourced provider handles the management and maintenance of your IT infrastructure, whether on-premises or in the cloud. This allows your internal team to focus on user support and strategic initiatives.
Who This Is For: Ideal for businesses with internal IT staff who need support with infrastructure management but want their team to focus on higher-value projects.
Service Desk Support:
Overview: Help desk services for Level I support are outsourced, while your internal team handles more complex tasks and strategic planning.
Who This Is For: Best for medium to large businesses with skilled internal IT staff who can bring value through high-level activities but need a fast response for day-to-day user issues.
Choosing the Right Option
Whether you choose all-inclusive IT services, all-inclusive IT support, or a co-managed IT approach, the relationship with your provider is critical. Look for a partner that takes the time to understand your unique IT environment and business goals. Open communication and dedicated account management are essential for success.
If you’re unsure whether all-inclusive IT services are the right choice, starting with a co-managed approach can be a great way to test the waters. This allows you to evaluate how the provider’s processes, responsiveness, and expertise align with your needs before committing to a fully outsourced solution. Over time, as trust builds and your needs evolve, transitioning to an all-inclusive model can become a natural next step.
Get Expert Guidance to Make Your Decision
Bellwether has been helping New Orleans businesses leverage technology for over 40 years. Learn more about our all-inclusive IT services and co-managed IT services to find the right fit for your business needs.
Contact us today to schedule a free IT consultation. We’ll help you identify gaps in your IT and cybersecurity strategy and determine whether all-inclusive or co-managed IT services are the right fit for your business.
