Co-Managed IT Services

5 Benefits of Co-Managed IT Services
Supporting Internal IT Resources & Departments

Corporate IT infrastructure has evolved from a supplement that supports tasks to the backbone of an organization’s goal achievement. But, in many ways, thought leadership about managed IT service strategies has grown complacent. Today’s business decision-makers are often presented with three limited options.

• Staff an entire in-house IT team
• Outsource all of your technology needs
• Add and subtract part-timers seasonally or based on need

But a fourth option exists that few industry leaders have the opportunity to consider. At 360 Smart Networks, we offer co-managed IT services to the Atlanta, Charlotte, and Southeastern business community.

Co-managed IT services supplement an existing staff on an ongoing basis in areas that would otherwise require an expensive new hire. This hybrid outsourcing strategy delivers substantial benefits to organizations. If the following would prove beneficial for your organization, co-managed IT services may be worth considering.

Co-Managed IT Services Supports In-House Staff

When industry leaders hired technology departments, many believed this decision would keep them on the cutting edge. But the slow reality has set in that internal IT teams spend much of the workday putting out technology fires. Although they may be qualified to elevate your infrastructure to the next level, they lack time to effect change or follow emerging trends.

By providing critical third-party support, time-consuming efforts can be taken off their plate. Systems can be put in place for employees to file Help Desk tickets that third-party support manages in real-time. This scenario allows your team the bandwidth to focus on high-level endeavors.

Access to IT Infrastructure Expertise

It’s not uncommon for organizations to hire personnel for the specific purpose of putting out tech fires and keep networks functioning throughout the day. Considering how time-consuming technology glitches have become, it may make more sense to outsource strategic IT planning and implementation. That’s mainly because third-party firms place a laser focus on staying abreast of emerging technology, software, and innovations. Co-managed IT services provide decision-makers access to expertise that might otherwise be out of reach.

Enhanced Cybersecurity

Delegating cybersecurity necessities to a third-party expert elevates organizational defenses from commonplace to superior. As hackers tirelessly develop innovative and ingenious schemes to penetrate networks, businesses of all sizes must be prepared. Companies that rely on tech departments updating firewalls and antivirus software are merely scratching the surface of genuinely determined cybersecurity.

Third-party cybersecurity professionals pursue hackers by identifying emerging methodologies and scams. That information becomes actionable intelligence to ensure hackers never perceive your operation as low-hanging fruit.

Co-Managed IT Services Increases Regulatory Compliance

With a third-party IT partner engaged in operational success, organizations no longer play regulatory catch-up or need to be worried about audits. Co-managing IT means that someone can be continually assigned to this area of oversight.

Concerns about governmental fines or civil lawsuits caused by potential HIPAA, HITECH, PCI, or CMMC, compliance failures, among others, won’t keep industry professional up at night. Co-managed IT services expand your resources so that all mission-critical aspects of your organization are functioning above industry standards.

Cost-Effective Results

This collaborative way of deftly managing IT tends to promote profitability in three ways. First, enhanced IT support typically increases employee productivity. Either your in-house personnel is more readily available to get team members up and running, or external experts quickly provide Help Desk support. Both scenarios reduce quantifiable downtime.

Secondly, businesses that leverage co-managed strategies enjoy enterprise-level IT infrastructure. This means that systems function at a high level, they are far less likely to suffer a costly breach, and your organization can remain on the cutting edge of technology innovation. Access to expertise promotes qualitative profitability.

Lastly, the cost of working with a third-party IT firm can be seamlessly integrated into an organization’s budget. Monthly and annual contracts enjoy flexibility, and decision-makers opt-in for only the services they require. Co-managed IT services deliver the financial agility to leverage enterprise-level infrastructure and support in a budget-friendly fashion.

If these benefits pique your interest, consider contacting 360 Smart Networks to schedule a consultation today.