There are a lot of good reasons to work with a managed IT service provider (MSP). Businesses that adopt managed IT typically experience up to a 40% reduction in downtime, and it’s an easy way to maintain flexibility. However, a good IT department can provide these same benefits. So, why use managed IT services if you have one?
|
“Business owners partner with MSPs for a wide variety of reasons. These reasons aren’t limited to a lack of in-house expertise.” - Keith Bamford, CEO of Daystar |
Firstly, co-managed IT services are a great option. In this model, you delegate some tasks to an MSP while keeping others with your IT department. We have discussed the benefits of this model before. Today, we are going to explore another option. You may be surprised to learn that there is still a fully managed IT service value proposition, even if you have an IT team.
This blog will explore why that is and when this service model may be the right choice for your organization.
Why Use Managed IT Services & an In-House Team?
Using fully managed IT services alongside an in-house team gives your organization wider coverage and stronger stability. Your internal staff stays focused on high-value work while the MSP handles day-to-day operations, routine maintenance, and time-sensitive tasks that can strain a small team.
This approach reduces risk during staff shortages and supports growth without forcing your department to stretch beyond its capacity. Your team keeps control of strategic decisions while the MSP provides consistent execution, predictable service delivery, and access to additional expertise when you need it.
Why Managed Services vs. Co-Managed Services
As mentioned, you have more than one option. You could use managed services alongside your current team, or you could opt for a co-managed IT service model instead. Here is a quick overview of when each option may best suit your needs.
|
Fully Managed Services + In-House Team |
Co-Managed IT Services + In-House Team |
|
You need someone who can handle daily operations so your team can focus on higher-impact priorities. |
When specific functions need extra attention, or when you want to give your team additional help without reassigning their responsibilities. |
|
When you want scalable service delivery without adding new full-time employees. |
You need extra capacity during project-heavy periods or times when your workload increases. |
|
You need a broad range of technical expertise without managing several outside vendors. |
You need specialized knowledge for tools or systems that your team does not use often. |
|
You need reliable coverage during staff PTO or turnover so your operations stay stable. |
You need closer collaboration on complex initiatives that demand more hands-on support. |
Why Managed IT Services Are Better For Specialized Workloads
In many cases, you may want to keep the management of niche or proprietary systems in-house. However, there are some cases when you may prefer to hand the management of these systems to your MSP while delegating your in-house team elsewhere. Here are some examples of such cases.
High Maintenance Requirements
Some platforms need frequent updates, patches, and performance checks that take a lot of your team’s time. One survey found that 70% of IT teams spend over 6 hours per week on manual patching tasks. Your MSP can take over this ongoing work so your staff can focus on higher-level initiatives. This helps your team support internal priorities without delays.
Heavy Monitoring Needs
Certain IT systems depend on constant monitoring to stay stable and responsive. Your MSP can watch these systems and handle alerts so your team is not tied to continuous oversight. This lets your staff focus on planning and improvement work.
|
Learn More About Why You Should Use a Managed Service Provider |
Vendor-Driven Tools
Applications that rely on outside vendors often require steady coordination for updates and escalations. These relationships must be managed carefully. Poor vendor management can cause value erosion equal to about 9% of your annual revenue.
Your MSP can manage those interactions and keep the system configured correctly. This frees your team from long vendor cycles and allows them to focus on internal needs.
Strict Availability Requirements
IT tools that demand consistent uptime need fast attention anytime a problem appears. Your MSP can take on these responsibilities so your team avoids constant interruption. This keeps your staff available for strategic work while the MSP maintains system stability.
Why Use Managed IT Services For Resource-Heavy Projects
The need for additional resources is one of the top reasons why people opt for managed IT services. Co-managed services can provide an additional hand, but you can also completely offload aspects of your IT infrastructure to a fully managed service provider. Here are some examples of resource-heavy projects you may want to outsource and why you should.
Large-Scale IT Infrastructure Upgrades
Major upgrades often require planning, configuration, and testing that can overwhelm your internal staff. Your MSP can take ownership of the operational work so your team stays focused on internal priorities. This approach keeps the project moving without slowing down day-to-day operations.
Companywide Hardware Refreshes
A hardware refresh involves inventory checks, device setup, user scheduling, and rollout work that takes significant time. Your MSP can manage these steps and coordinate each phase with minimal disruption. This gives your team space to support users and maintain regular service levels.
Cloud Migration Projects
Moving systems to the cloud involves detailed preparation, data movement, and post-migration fine-tuning. Your MSP can run these workflows, so your staff does not need to balance migration tasks with their routine responsibilities. This creates a smoother transition and reduces the pressure on your team.
IT Network Rebuilds
Significant IT network changes involve planning, implementation, and validation tasks that require extended attention. Your MSP can handle the technical execution while your team focuses on internal requests and planning work. This helps you advance improvements without stretching your staff.
Deployment at Scale
Rolling out new tools across your organization can involve configuration, policy setup, and monitoring work. Your MSP can manage these steps, so your team can stay focused on daily support and internal initiatives. This setup gives you stronger controls without overwhelming your in-house department.
|
Choose a Leading Managed Service Provider in New England! |
||||
Discover Managed Services’ Importance When You Talk to Daystar
If you’re on the fence about using managed services, contact Daystar for a consultation! Our team is happy to provide fully or co-managed IT services, whether you have an in-house IT team or not. We always start with a full assessment of your IT needs so that we can provide tailored, boutique services to assist you with your system optimization.
Reach out today to get started!
