June 23, 2025
IT gets complicated fast when your business starts to scale. Your internal team might be capable—but stretched. Fully outsourcing feels like too much, yet doing nothing isn't sustainable either.
Surprisingly, just 20% depend on the best co-managed IT service providers, according to a CRN report. That means most businesses still haven’t tapped into a model built to strengthen their in-house information technology team without replacing it.
This blog breaks down how the best co managed IT services work, how they compare to fully managed options, and how to tell if it’s right for your team.
Co-managed IT services are a collaborative approach where your business shares IT responsibilities with a managed services provider.
Instead of fully outsourcing all IT functions, you keep your in-house team in place and add outside support for specific areas—like monitoring, help desk, cloud services, or disaster recovery.
It’s a flexible service model built for businesses that want to improve uptime, stay secure, and handle growth without hiring a full IT department.
For example, if your internal IT department is great at day-to-day operations but struggling to keep up with emerging cybersecurity threats or complex infrastructure needs, the best co-managed IT service providers step in.
Trying to decide between the best co managed IT services and fully managed IT support? This quick breakdown shows how the two models work—and where they fit best.
Choosing the best co managed IT services starts with the right questions. Use these to figure out whether your team needs full coverage or just the right kind of backup.
Your internal IT team may be strong in daily operations, but it may be missing deeper skills in areas like cybersecurity, networking services, or cloud solutions.
A co-managed IT service lets you keep the team you trust while filling in gaps with a services provider that offers advanced expertise.
If your current IT resources aren’t aligned with your business needs—like faster support, better uptime, or improved data protection—it may be time to supplement your team.
The best co-managed IT service providers help ensure your technology solutions support your growth and long-term business goals.
Reactive support slows everything down. With the best co managed IT services, your MSP partner adds proactive monitoring, automated updates, and real-time threat detection, so your business doesn’t fall behind on IT maintenance or security services.
A major benefit of co-managed IT services is having a 24/7 support team that covers off-hours, weekends, and holidays.
If your internal team is overwhelmed or unavailable outside standard hours, an MSP can keep users supported without burning out your in-house staff.
If you're unsure about how well your systems are protected, that’s a red flag.
The best co-managed IT service providers can bring in cybersecurity tools, policies, and monitoring that your team may not have time or capacity to manage alone.
Many businesses pay for tools or services they rarely use.
A co-managed IT service model helps you optimize spending by focusing resources on the areas where your internal IT department truly needs backup—making your investment more cost-effective.
Major projects can overwhelm even the best in-house team.
Whether you're moving to new locations or launching new platforms, a co-manage model gives you temporary or ongoing access to a team of professionals who can handle the heavy lifting while your staff stays focused.
Not all managed service providers treat clients the same. Look for the best co-managed IT service providers that take time to learn your workflows, tools, and compliance needs—so their support services feel like an extension of your own operations, not a disconnected vendor.
The best co managed IT services model isn’t a single package—it’s a flexible setup designed to meet your business needs.
The services offered vary by provider, but most co-managed services include a strategic mix of help desk support, networking services, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and routine maintenance services.
This hybrid model allows your internal IT team to maintain oversight while getting access to a team of professionals that expands your coverage and capabilities.
These services for businesses are especially useful during periods of growth or transition. If your team is launching a new system, expanding locations, or upgrading critical infrastructure, a co-managed IT services provider gives you access to the right tools.
What separates a good IT partner from a great one? These key traits will help you spot a co-managed IT services provider that actually supports your team—not slows it down.
Not every managed service provider offers the best co managed IT services model. Some may try to push full outsourcing under a different name.
Focus on a services firm with real experience supporting in-house teams, understanding how to integrate with your tools, workflows, and current tech stack.
The best co-managed IT service providers should deliver a comprehensive IT solutions portfolio.
Look for options that include cybersecurity, network support, cloud services, and support for businesses of all sizes—not just a one-size-fits-all approach.
You need a service provider that can deliver support in a timely manner.
Confirm that their SLAs meet your expectations, especially for critical issues involving security solutions, uptime, and end-user support services.
Cybersecurity isn’t optional. Your provider should include managed IT and cybersecurity services, proactive threat monitoring, and regular updates as part of their services and cybersecurity offerings. They should also support compliance for your specific industry.
Your business will grow, and your IT needs will shift. A good co-managed IT service scales with you—offering solutions that adapt, expand, or change as needed.
Choose a services company that offers scalable solutions, whether you're adding 5 users or 50.
If your business operates in a specific region, consider working with a provider of managed IT services that knows the local landscape.
Local MSPs can provide on-site visits, understand regional compliance needs, and deliver hands-on service when remote support isn’t enough.
Any top managed service providers should have examples of how they’ve helped companies like yours improve productivity, reduce downtime, and strengthen cybersecurity. Ask for proof that their best co managed IT services are effective.
Finally, ensure their support team works well with yours.
Your internal IT department and their specialists will need to communicate frequently, so cultural fit and communication clarity matter just as much as technical capability.
AlwaysOnIT delivers one of the best co managed IT services offerings for small and medium-sized businesses that need to extend their internal team without giving up control.
As a trusted managed IT service provider, our team works side by side with your staff, becoming a seamless extension of your business—not an outside vendor.
With AlwaysOnIT, you can trust in reliable managed services, predictable costs, and support that’s built around your team—not a generic model.
A co-managed IT service allows your internal IT team to partner with a managed service provider to share responsibilities across critical areas like cybersecurity, networking services, and cloud services. This hybrid setup boosts your in-house team's efficiency and expands your skill set without replacing your staff.
Businesses that co-manage IT get better coverage, faster resolutions, and access to specialized tools and technology solutions—making this a scalable, modern approach to support growing business needs.
The key difference is in control and collaboration. With managed IT services, a business typically outsources all operations to an MSP, whereas co-managed services are designed to supplement your internal team.
The best co managed IT services providers work side-by-side with your internal IT department, helping handle workloads like disaster recovery, monitoring, network support, and help desk coverage. This model fits companies that want cost-effective, flexible solutions while still owning their IT roadmap.
A full co-managed IT services model may include services and support like security services, backup systems, cloud services like Microsoft 365, and day-to-day support services. These services include proactive maintenance, threat detection, service desk operations, and compliance support.
Providers often offer a range of services tailored to industry demands, ensuring your business meets its business goals with a stable, reliable IT foundation.
When choosing a provider of managed IT services, prioritize experience in both fully managed and co-managed environments. The right services provider will offer a flexible service model, a strong services team, and proven best practices across managed it and cybersecurity services.
Look for a services firm that can deliver tailored IT solutions, respond in a timely manner, and provide a comprehensive IT solutions portfolio for small and medium-sized businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Yes. The best co managed IT service providers deliver robust services and cybersecurity capabilities.
They implement enterprise-grade security solutions, monitor systems continuously, and help businesses meet industry regulations—especially in financial services and other sensitive sectors.
This proactive approach ensures business continuity and gives peace of mind to teams that don’t have the bandwidth to manage compliance internally.
Absolutely. A co-managed IT service offers cost-effective solutions for companies that want to scale without the expense of a full in-house department.
By using a support team that augments your staff, you only pay for the services offered—no hidden fees or unnecessary overhead. It’s a smart choice for businesses that want access to a team of professionals while maintaining control over their systems.
Top managed service providers know that not every company needs to outsource its entire infrastructure. That’s why many now offer services that are modular and designed for co-management.
These support solutions allow businesses to stay on top of growth challenges by offering scalable solutions, reducing downtime, and improving productivity.
