Co-managed IT is a partnership: your internal IT staff handle what they do best, and an external provider fills the gaps.

Why companies choose it

– Your internal team is stretched thin

– You need after-hours or holiday coverage

– Specialized skills (security, cloud, networking) are missing

– You want enterprise-level tools without building them yourself

– A single in-house person is a risk if they leave or fall ill

What an MSP can provide

– Tools: monitoring, patching, endpoint security, and backup platforms

– Help desk overflow: taking tier-one calls so your team focuses on projects

– After-hours monitoring and response

– Security services: detection, response, and assessments

– Projects: migrations, upgrades, and new deployments

– Specialist expertise on demand

– Strategic input: vCIO guidance and roadmaps

– Backup for vacations and turnover

What your team keeps

– Business knowledge and relationships

– On-site support and day-to-day priorities

– Decisions on projects and vendors

– Ownership of strategic direction

Making it work

1. Define responsibilities clearly: who does what

2. Agree on escalation: when does the MSP step in?

3. Share documentation and access properly

4. Use shared ticketing and communication channels

5. Hold regular meetings to review work and plans

6. Treat the MSP as part of the team

Common pitfalls

– Unclear boundaries, which cause duplicated or missed work

– Internal staff feeling threatened. Position the MSP as support, not replacement.

– Tools duplicated between teams

Cost benefit

Often less than hiring additional staff, with broader coverage.

DBR Soft offers co-managed IT tailored to your team. Contact us for more information.