Co-managed IT means you keep your own IT person and a provider backs them up. Fully managed IT means the provider is your IT department and your staff call them directly.
Co-managed IT
Your IT person keeps the keys and sets the priorities. The provider takes the load one person can't carry: after-hours alerts, cover for vacations, specialist projects, and background jobs such as backup and monitoring.
It suits companies with a capable IT person who is stretched thin.
Fully managed IT
The provider runs everything: helpdesk for every employee, servers, network, cloud, Microsoft 365 and backups. There is one number to call.
It suits companies with no IT staff, or where IT has landed on an office manager.
How to choose
- If you have an IT person you want to keep, start with co-managed
- If nobody on staff owns IT, choose fully managed
- If you are not sure, start with co-managed for the gaps that worry you most and widen it later
Take the two-minute IT health check to see where your own setup stands, or read more answers.