What Are Co-Managed IT Services?
Our Co-Managed IT Services represent a hybrid service model. With these services, we’ll combine the strengths of your in-house IT team with the specialised skills and resources of our IT experts. Instead of completely outsourcing your IT needs, or relying solely on your in-house team, co-managed IT support allows you to get the best of both worlds. This also gives you the confidence and convenience to scale up or down quickly, if needed. It’s about collaboration and enhancement, with each party leaning on its unique strengths and skills.
Why Are Managed IT Services So Crucial?
At Grassroots IT, we understand that no two businesses are the same. Some may require full-scale outsourced IT support, while others have robust in-house teams that only need assistance in specific areas or for short-term projects.
Even the most skilled in-house IT teams may lack expertise in certain specialised areas. Co-managed IT services can bridge these gaps, offering expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud solutions, compliance regulations, and more. Co-managed IT support provides businesses with the flexibility to scale services up or down based on changing needs, ensuring they only pay for what they need.
When you combine in-house teams with external support, businesses can benefit from 24/7 monitoring and rapid response times. This means that there are no messy gaps in your IT support. Your business’s IT infrastructure will always be safe, secure, and functional.
Here’s what our Co-Managed IT services can provide.
By combining the expertise of in-house teams and outsourced, we can ensure you’re your security protocols are robust and up-to-date. This then reduces vulnerabilities within your organisation.
With our Co-Managed IT services, businesses can avoid the expense of hiring additional full-time experts while still having access to specialised skills when needed. They can also access additional support at specific times without paying for services that are not needed.
Imagine having the expertise of a seasoned IT company on call, 24/7. Grassroots IT comes with a wealth of knowledge, ensuring that every aspect of your business’s IT is handled expertly.
Why Choose Grassroots IT?
For growing businesses, or businesses who need flexibility, the Co-Managed IT model is perfect for today’s nuanced business needs.
It marries the capabilities of in-house IT teams with the specialised expertise of external providers. This service is all about encouraging collaboration and ensuring that your in-house teams feel valued and empowered while getting the added benefit of external expertise.
With co-managed IT services, businesses are well-equipped to navigate the complex digital landscape with confidence. So, for businesses who are unsure how to optimise their IT strategy or are approaching a transitory period, a co-managed approach might just be the perfect solution.
Here’s what makes us stand out amongst a sea of other IT specialists.
The Grassroots IT Difference
With Grassroots IT as your Co-Managed IT Service provider, you’ll benefit from:
Dedicated Account Manager
Receive a dedicated Account Manager who will understand your needs and offer ongoing and seamless service.
Direct Access To Solution Specialists
Need specialist advice? Tap into our expert guidance instantly with specialists who are trained to help resolve your urgent IT issues either remotely or in person.
Annual Strategy Review & Roadmap
Your IT strategy should be refined regularly according to your changing business goals. Annual reviews hone your tech strategy for success.
Quarterly Alignment Reviews
Regular quarterly check-ins make sure we are aligned with your goals as they evolve. In these reviews, we can make the necessary tweaks to keep your business on track.
Monthly Performance Reporting
The latest insights into your IT performance can empower key decision-makers within your business to make the right decisions when they need.
Extended Helpdesk Hours
Need support? Our dedicated IT Help Desk is available even beyond business hours, providing our clients peace of mind.
24x7 Support
We offer round-the-clock tech support through our IT service desk to offer you and your team assistance at any hour of the day or night.
Australia-Wide Onsite Support
Our IT Support staff are located all across Australia, to ensure we can assist you whenever and wherever you need us.
Dedicated Onboarding Team
We believe that a strong partnership should be defined from the very beginning, which is why we offer you a specialised team to assist with onboarding.
FAQs
What are co-managed IT services?
Co-managed IT services are a collaborative approach to IT management, where a business’s in-house IT team partners with an external managed service provider (MSP) to support and enhance the company’s IT capabilities.
How is co-managed IT different from fully managed IT services?
Traditional managed IT services typically involve fully outsourcing your IT needs to an external provider. In contrast, co-managed IT merges the strengths of both your in-house IT team and the external service provider, offering a more flexible and tailored solution, or support during certain periods.
What are the benefits of co-managed IT services?
Co-managed IT services offer several benefits, including access to specialised expertise, enhanced IT capabilities, and additional support without the need to hire more staff. Co-managed IT services also help provide scalability, allowing businesses to handle increased workloads or projects without permanent expansions of their IT department. Additionally, co-managed services can lead to improved efficiency and reduced downtime, as the combined efforts of internal and external teams cover more ground.
How does the collaboration between the in-house team and the external provider work in practice?
In short; it depends. The specifics of a Co-Managed IT arrangement will vary based on your unique business needs. Typically, we’ll define roles and responsibilities clearly from the outset. Then, we’ll use regular communication, set processes, and collaborative tools to allow seamless cooperation between both teams.
What if we already have a strong in-house IT team?
Even strong IT teams can benefit from co-managed IT support. Grassroots IT can offer support in specialised areas, provide additional resources during peak times, or bring in advanced tools and training to further empower your internal team.
Can co-managed IT services save my business money?
Co-managed IT services can be cost-effective by providing additional resources and expertise only when needed. That means businesses can save money by avoiding the costs associated with hiring, training, and maintaining a larger in-house team while still gaining access to high-quality IT services. By leveraging Grassroots IT’s resources, businesses can also avoid large capital expenditures on IT infrastructure and software.
How is the workload divided in a co-managed IT service model?
The division of workload in a co-managed IT service model depends on the specific needs and preferences of the business. Typically, businesses appreciate our team handling routine tasks and monitoring, allowing the internal team to focus on strategic projects and core business activities.
However, with our comprehensive range of IT services, we’re confident we can fill the gaps where you need us to, meaning we can customise a plan based on your company’s requirements, resources, and priorities.
Who retains control over the IT strategy and decision-making in a co-managed setup?
In a co-managed IT setup, we typically encourage the internal IT department to retain control over the IT strategy and major decision-making processes and that we act as a supportive partner, providing recommendations, expertise, and additional resources. This ensures that the final decisions, particularly regarding IT strategy and investments, remain with the company’s internal leadership and IT team.
How do businesses ensure their data is secure with co-managed IT services?
We ensure data security in co-managed IT services arrangements is ensured through clear contracts, strict security protocols, and compliance standards agreed upon by both the business and ourselves.
Regular audits, security assessments, and the implementation of advanced security measures protect sensitive information, and transparency and open communication help us maintain high-security levels.
What should businesses look for when selecting a co-managed IT service provider?
Businesses should look for a co-managed IT service provider with relevant technical expertise, and experience in their specific industry, as well as a strong track record backed by case studies and testimonials.
It’s important to choose a provider that understands the company’s business objectives and can align its services accordingly. Other factors to consider include availability, the level of support offered, the approach to security and compliance, and the ability to work collaboratively with your internal IT team.
If you’re curious about co-managed IT services and whether Grassroots IT may be the best fit for your business, please feel free to reach out and contact our approachable team. We offer honest and reliable advice.
And, while we’re confident it will be, if we believe co-managed IT services may not be the best fit for you, we’ll help point you in the right direction and recommend IT services that will help your business thrive.
