Fully Managed vs Co-Managed IT for Your Business

Managed IT has become one of the most outsourced jobs in business today. Yet there are two variations, each with their pros and cons: fully managed and co-managed IT systems. Choosing one is subjective to your business, but for security, a fully managed system is recommended.

At Bastion Point, we provide services for fully managed IT in Richmond and the Virginia area.

Fully Managed IT Services

Many companies outsource one or more roles related to their business today. Because of the complexity of IT and networks, around 37% of modern businesses outsource IT to either a fully-managed or co-managed service. To save time and resources, a full-managed service is the standard choice. It removes the need to hire in-house IT staff (which can be very expensive) and removes the responsibility of maintaining the network security from your company’s hands.

Co-Managed IT Solutions

Co-managed services are another choice you can go with. However, the advantages are somewhat limited compared to a fully managed service. For example, all fully managed It services offer compliance and safety systems as part of the service. Co-managed services don’t provide full functionality, and compliance issues may be shared with your internal IT department, no matter the size. However, you can be more involved with a co-managed service.

Why You Need a Managed IT Partner

It doesn’t matter which type of service you eventually decide upon because they both offer expert help. A fully managed service will provide the most benefits, but a co-managed service can be cheaper. Yet the fact remains that you will need one managed IT partner to take care of things.

The pros of a fully managed service

• As a business, you don’t have as much responsibility concerning the IT system.
• In-house IT experts are not needed, so you end up paying out much less.
• The It network and infrastructure remain constantly up-to-date and serviced.

The cons of a co-managed service

• You share the responsibility of network, data, and infrastructure security.
• Hiring internal IT staff is necessary, meaning higher expenses overall.
• The structure of the overall IT solution isn’t as solid and reliable as it can be.

A fully managed service offers a complete solution. Yet, co-managed service comes with limitations. But if you need some control over your operations, co-managed IT allows for this.

When a Full Partner is Necessary

Deciding to use a co-managed IT partner is a good step in the right direction, as it allows for some IT security and expert help and can alleviate the workload for your in-house IT team. However, a fully managed IT partner provides comprehensive benefits to your overall systems. For example, they shoulder the responsibility of hiring IT experts. Local services such as Bastion Point can work with you and provide services for fully managed IT in Richmond, Virginia.

Network Risk Protection

Even as a small business, you are at risk of a cyberattack. In fact, there were over 700,000 cyberattacks against SMBs in 2020, with a total cost of $2.8 billion. Managed IT partners offer comprehensive protection against some of the most common attacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and website redirects. They also offer services such as updating that prevents access to your systems and maximizes the uptime and efficiency of your internal network.

Summary

There are two types of managed IT systems: fully-managed and co-managed. Each has its own benefits, yet a fully managed service offers complete control and protection of your IT system. You also don’t need to worry about the hiring costs of in-house IT experts with a full partner.