Comprehensive FAQ: Co-Managed IT Services
How is co-managed IT different from traditional managed services?
Traditional Managed Services: MSPs take over responsibility for your entire IT infrastructure, often replacing internal IT teams and making your business dependent on external providers.
Co-Managed IT: We work alongside your existing IT team, providing additional expertise and resources whilst preserving your internal knowledge and capabilities. Your team remains in control of day-to-day operations whilst gaining access to strategic expertise and specialist skills.
Key Benefit: You retain the business knowledge and cultural understanding that only internal teams can provide whilst accessing the advanced expertise needed for complex challenges.
What size business benefits most from co-managed IT services?
Optimal Size: Businesses with 50-500 employees who have 1-5 dedicated IT staff members.
Too Small (Under 50 employees): Usually better served by traditional managed services or outsourced IT support.
Too Large (Over 500 employees): Typically have sufficient resources for full-time specialist roles rather than co-managed services.
Sweet Spot Characteristics: Enough complexity to need strategic expertise but not enough scale to justify full-time specialists in every area.
How do you integrate with our existing IT team?
Collaborative Integration: We work as an extension of your existing team rather than a separate entity, participating in planning sessions, project meetings, and strategic discussions.
Knowledge Transfer: Our approach emphasises teaching and mentoring your team rather than creating dependency on our services.
Communication Integration: We adapt to your existing communication tools, processes, and meeting schedules rather than imposing our own.
Cultural Fit: Our team integrates with your organisational culture and working practices to ensure seamless collaboration.
What happens to our existing MSP or IT vendors?
Vendor Neutral Approach: We work with your existing vendors and can help optimise those relationships rather than forcing changes.
Strategic Oversight: We provide strategic direction for vendor relationships whilst your existing providers continue their operational roles.
Vendor Optimisation: Where beneficial, we can help renegotiate contracts, improve service levels, or identify better alternatives.
Gradual Transition: Any vendor changes are planned strategically and implemented gradually to minimise disruption.
How do you ensure knowledge transfer to our internal team?
Documentation Standards: All work is thoroughly documented with knowledge transfer as a primary objective.
Mentoring Programs: Direct mentoring relationships between our experts and your team members.
Training Integration: Formal and informal training sessions integrated into project work and ongoing support.
Gradual Handover: Structured approach to gradually transferring responsibility for new capabilities to your internal team.
What’s the typical cost compared to hiring additional staff?
Cost Comparison: Our services typically cost 40-60% less than hiring equivalent full-time expertise.
Additional Savings: No recruitment costs, training expenses, benefits, or employment overheads.
Flexible Scaling: Pay only for the expertise you need when you need it rather than maintaining full-time resources for intermittent requirements.
Immediate Availability: Access to senior-level expertise immediately rather than waiting months for recruitment and onboarding.
How quickly can you start supporting our team?
Rapid Deployment: Initial assessment and strategy development can begin within 1-2 weeks of engagement.
Emergency Response: For urgent needs, we can provide immediate support whilst developing longer-term engagement plans.
Phased Implementation: Full integration typically occurs over 4-6 weeks to ensure smooth collaboration and knowledge transfer.
Project-Specific: For specific projects, we can begin immediately with minimal setup time required.
Do you work with businesses outside London?
Primary Focus: London and surrounding areas where we can provide on-site support and develop strong working relationships.
Remote Capabilities: Many of our services can be delivered remotely, enabling support for clients across the UK.
Hybrid Approach: Combination of on-site and remote support optimised for each client’s specific needs and location.
Travel Coverage: For the right partnerships, we can extend coverage beyond our primary geographic area.
How do you measure success in co-managed engagements?
Business Metrics:
- Improved project delivery times and success rates
- Enhanced IT team productivity and job satisfaction
- Better alignment between IT initiatives and business objectives
- Reduced technology-related business risks and disruptions
Technical Metrics:
- Improved system reliability and performance
- Enhanced security posture and reduced incidents
- Better compliance with industry standards and regulations
- More strategic technology decision-making processes
Team Development Metrics:
- Skills development and certification achievements
- Improved team confidence and capability
- Better documentation and knowledge management
- Enhanced career development and retention
