Fully managed IT support outsources your entire tech environment, while co-managed IT supplements your internal team. The right model depends on your IT resources, risk tolerance, and growth goals. Learn which approach best fits your business strategy.
Choosing the right IT support model isn’t just a technical decision; it’s a strategic one that shapes how your business scales, secures data, and stays productive. The two most common approaches, fully managed and co-managed IT, serve distinct needs, and selecting the wrong one can lead to wasted spend, burnout for internal teams, or even compliance failures.
If you’re managing rapid growth, legacy infrastructure, or rising cybersecurity demands, understanding the tradeoffs between these models is critical.
Fully managed IT support is ideal for businesses without an internal tech team; it provides 360° coverage, from helpdesk and patching to threat detection and vendor management. Co-managed IT, by contrast, partners with your existing team to extend coverage, reduce workload, and bring in specialised expertise where needed.
Today, we’ll compare both options side-by-side, unpack real-world use cases, and help you choose a model that fits your business stage, team structure, and risk profile, whether you’re scaling up, stabilising, or modernising your IT operations.
What Is Fully Managed IT Support?
Fully managed IT support means putting your entire technology ecosystem in the hands of an outsourced partner. From end-user support and network monitoring to cybersecurity, vendor management, and long-term planning, everything is handled by a dedicated external team. This model is ideal for businesses that don’t have in-house IT staff or want to replace the complexity of managing multiple providers with one trusted team.
Our fully managed IT services include 24/7 helpdesk support, strategic consulting, real-time threat detection, and full infrastructure oversight, designed to keep systems stable, secure, and scalable.
We don’t operate with a ticket-and-wait mindset. Every client gets a proactive team who understands their environment, keeps downtime near zero, and ensures tech never becomes a growth blocker.
What’s typically included in fully managed support:
- Helpdesk for all user issues and system bugs
- 24/7 monitoring of servers, networks, and endpoints
- Backup and disaster recovery planning
- Patch management, updates, and system performance tuning
- Cybersecurity, including a firewall and intrusion detection
- Vendor coordination (ISP, VoIP, cloud platforms, etc.)
- Strategic IT planning and quarterly reviews
If your team is stretched thin or you’re tired of handling daily IT disruptions, this model removes the operational burden so you can focus on business priorities. It’s also a smart fit for smaller firms that want enterprise-grade tech support without building a department from scratch.
Want to see how we structure this in real-world environments? Our helpdesk team provides real-time issue resolution for businesses with no in-house tech, and does it without bouncing tickets or hiding behind slow response windows.
What Is Co-Managed IT Support?
Co-managed IT support is a collaborative model where your internal IT team shares responsibility with an external provider. Instead of replacing your staff, this model supplements them, filling in gaps, providing advanced expertise, or taking over high-volume tasks like patching, monitoring, and escalated user issues.
We’ve seen this model work exceptionally well for mid-sized businesses that have capable internal IT teams but need additional coverage, especially outside of standard business hours. In many of these partnerships, we handle 24/7 system monitoring and cybersecurity oversight while internal staff focus on on-site troubleshooting, user onboarding, or business-specific software support.
This approach offers flexibility and control, allowing your internal team to stay focused on strategic goals while delegating time-consuming or specialized tasks to experienced engineers.
What co-managed support often includes:
- 24/7 infrastructure and endpoint monitoring
- Advanced cybersecurity (EDR, SOC, threat intelligence)
- Patch management and OS updates
- Backup and disaster recovery oversight
- Overflow helpdesk or escalated issue handling
- Strategic consultation and technology planning
Because co-managed IT is tailored to each client, we take time to assess where your internal strengths lie and design a support structure that complements, not competes with, your existing team. If your internal engineers are overwhelmed or working on critical projects, this model ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
For example, our engineering team often works hand-in-hand with in-house IT to fine-tune server configurations, perform tech audits, or resolve persistent infrastructure issues that drain productivity.
Fully Managed vs. Co-Managed IT Support (Side-by-Side Comparison)
Choosing between fully managed and co-managed IT support depends on how much in-house expertise you already have and how much operational control you want to retain. This comparison will help you evaluate the two models side-by-side so you can identify the best fit for your team, budget, and business goals.
Here’s a practical breakdown of how both models compare across key decision areas:
| Criteria | Fully Managed IT | Co-Managed IT |
| Who handles IT? | MSP handles helpdesk, patching, monitoring, security, backups, and vendor management | Internal team shares duties with MSP |
| Best for | Businesses without in-house IT or needing full outsourcing | Companies with internal IT needing support, coverage, or advanced capabilities |
| Day-to-day tasks | Fully handled by the provider, scales on demand | Internal team handles strategy or users; MSP supports with monitoring and tooling |
| Control and customization | Turnkey service; fewer internal decisions needed | Highly flexible; responsibilities split based on team strengths |
| Scalability | Flat monthly pricing for full-stack coverage | Scales by adjusting provider role to support your evolving IT team |
| Cost model | Small businesses, startups, remote teams, and businesses without tech leads | Scoped pricing based on shared responsibilities |
| Use cases | Mid-size firms, compliance-heavy industries, and growing teams needing extra lift | Scales by adjusting the provider role to support your evolving IT team |
| Support hours | 24/7 proactive support by default | May include off-hours coverage or targeted escalation paths |
If you’re unsure where your organization fits, our IT support specialists can help you map your current pain points and recommend a model that supports, not overwhelms, your existing team.
How to Choose the Right IT Support Model for Your Business
There’s no universal answer to which IT support model works best; your team structure, operational risk, and budget all play a role. Below, we outline a simple decision-making framework that helps you evaluate whether fully managed or co-managed support fits your current and future needs.
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do You Have Internal IT Staff?
If the answer is no, fully managed IT support may be the fastest and most reliable way to establish a professional, always-available IT department without hiring.
If yes, co-managed support could complement your internal team with additional expertise, advanced tooling, and after-hours monitoring.
2. Are You Struggling With Daily IT Disruptions?
Frequent outages, ticket backlogs, or user complaints are strong signals that your current setup needs reinforcement. Fully managed support eliminates the internal burden, while co-managed support can reduce overload and help resolve escalated issues faster.
For organizations dealing with repeat system problems, our remote helpdesk team can step in and stabilize your environment within days, not weeks.
3. Do You Need Round-the-Clock Security and Monitoring?
If your business handles sensitive data or operates across time zones, 24/7 monitoring is essential. Fully managed services typically include this by default. In a co-managed setup, it’s critical to define who covers after-hours alerts.
Our Security Operations Center (SOC) works with both models, offering real-time threat detection and rapid incident response to prevent breaches and business disruption.
4. Is Your Business Growing or Facing Compliance Demands?
Fast growth, industry-specific compliance, or upcoming audits often require more than ad-hoc IT support. Fully managed IT provides structure, documentation, and oversight from day one, while co-managed support brings in strategic guidance without removing control from your team.
5. Do You Need Strategic Planning, Not Just Support?
If you’re relying on your IT to simply “keep the lights on,” you may be missing opportunities for optimization. Both models can include strategic support, but you’ll want to clarify whether your provider offers vCIO services, infrastructure planning, and roadmap development.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each Support Model
Both fully managed and co-managed IT support models come with their own strengths and limitations. Choosing the right path means understanding what each model delivers best and where it may fall short for your specific business setup.
This section outlines the real-world benefits and challenges so you can avoid surprises and make a confident, scalable decision.
Fully Managed IT Support: Benefits
- Complete Coverage: You don’t need internal IT staff; everything is handled, from system updates to user issues to cloud environment management.
- Predictable Costs: One flat monthly rate for all services, ideal for financial planning.
- 24/7 Support: No gaps in coverage, even on weekends or holidays.
- Single Vendor Simplicity: One partner responsible for performance, security, and uptime.
Fully Managed IT Support: Drawbacks
- Less Internal Control: You rely entirely on your MSP for decisions, access, and timelines.
- Possible Overhead for Small Teams: If your IT needs are minimal, you may be overpaying for capabilities you won’t use.
- Standardized Workflows: Some providers don’t customize deeply for niche industries or legacy systems.
Co-Managed IT Support: Benefits
- Shared Responsibility: Your internal team stays involved while we handle the rest, patching, monitoring, or escalating helpdesk tickets.
- Scalability Without Hiring: Add capabilities without increasing headcount.
- Access to Specialized Tools: We integrate advanced toolsets like RMM, endpoint detection, and real-time monitoring, tailored to your stack.
- Built-In Continuity: Ideal for internal teams preparing for growth, audits, or potential staff transitions.
Co-Managed IT Support: Drawbacks
- Requires Strong Internal Team: If your in-house resources are too limited, shared responsibility can lead to dropped tasks.
- Role Clarity Is Critical: Without clearly defined scopes, co-managed setups can become inefficient or cause friction.
- Dual Escalation Paths: Teams must be aligned on who handles what, and when, especially during emergencies.
We’ve supported clients through both models, often evolving from co-managed into fully managed as the business grows or internal resources shift. If you’re not sure which approach matches your current stage, reach out for a strategy consultation and we’ll assess your environment together.
Common Use Cases & Real-World Scenarios
Different businesses face different IT challenges. Whether you’re trying to reduce downtime, scale operations, or meet compliance requirements, both fully managed and co-managed IT support can play a valuable role. Below are typical scenarios where each model makes sense.
Fully Managed IT: When to Choose It
1. You Have No Internal IT Staff
Startups, small businesses, or remote-first teams often rely on fully managed support to gain enterprise-grade IT capabilities without building an internal department.
2. You Need Business Continuity Without Gaps
With our SOC team monitoring your systems 24/7, there’s no need to rotate shifts or train overnight staff.
3. You’re Replacing a Fractured Tech Stack
If you’ve outgrown your previous provider or inherited a patchwork of software, fully managed support gives you a fresh foundation, planned, maintained, and secured by one team.
4. You’re Undergoing a Cloud or VoIP Transition
Whether moving from on-prem to cloud or ditching legacy phone systems for VoIP-based tools, a fully managed team can plan and execute the move end-to-end.
Co-Managed IT: When to Choose It
1. Your Internal Team Is Overwhelmed
You already have capable engineers, but they’re stuck on daily tickets or routine updates. Co-managed support lets them focus on what matters while we cover the rest.
2. You Need Better Coverage or Tooling
Our engineering consultants often step in to provide advanced diagnostics, manage patching systems, or implement monitoring that your team doesn’t have time for.
3. You’re Scaling or Facing Audit Requirements
Co-managed setups allow you to flex IT capacity without permanent hires, ideal when preparing for compliance audits or mergers.
4. You Want to Build IT Maturity Gradually
This model offers a path to full IT maturity without a forced leap. As your business grows, you can shift more responsibility to us at your pace.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Choosing between fully managed and co-managed IT support isn’t about picking the most comprehensive option; it’s about selecting the model that aligns with how your team operates, what your infrastructure needs, and where your business is headed.
Before signing any agreement, ask yourself (and your prospective IT partner) the following:
Do We Have Internal IT Resources?
If not, who will handle password resets, onboarding, backups, or emergency fixes? Fully managed support ensures nothing is left uncovered, even when your office is closed or remote.
If yes, which areas need backup or better tools? We frequently work with internal IT leads who need additional hands, advanced cybersecurity monitoring, or vendor coordination without hiring full-time staff.
What Are Our Top IT Pain Points?
If helpdesk response times, system outages, or vulnerability patches are persistent issues, fully managed support gives you a complete reset. If your team is strong but stretched thin, co-managed helps you offload without giving up control.
Who Handles Our Cybersecurity Today?
If security is decentralized, or worse, reactive, there’s risk. Our 24/7 SOC service integrates with both models and ensures threat detection, response, and ongoing hardening are always covered.
Do We Have a Plan for Growth, Compliance, or Migration?
If you’re adding new locations, preparing for audits, or planning a cloud migration, you’ll need IT that adapts. Both models can include strategic consulting, but co-managed is often ideal if your internal team leads the initiative.
How Important Is Control and Visibility?
Some businesses want a turnkey solution with predictable results. Others want partnership, but not dependence. Co-managed support works best when your team wants to stay hands-on, while fully managed support works best when you want IT off your desk entirely.
Final Recommendation: Which Model Is Right for You?
The best IT support model is the one that strengthens your business without adding friction. Whether you’re looking to hand off your entire technology environment or support an internal team that’s stretched too thin, both models offer powerful ways to improve uptime, security, and scalability.
Here’s a quick takeaway:
- Choose Fully Managed IT Support if you don’t have an internal IT team, want one point of accountability, or need a proactive partner to stabilize and secure your systems end-to-end.
- Choose Co-Managed IT Support if you already have IT staff but need help with monitoring, escalations, cybersecurity, or scaling support without increasing headcount.
We’ve helped businesses transition between both models, starting with co-managed support during growth, then shifting to fully managed as their needs evolved. Whichever stage you’re in, our team is here to assess, plan, and implement the right fit.
Need clarity on your current environment? Talk to our engineering team for a free IT assessment, no contracts, no jargon. Just clear answers and a practical roadmap for what’s next.
Ready to Modernize Your IT Strategy?
If you’re evaluating your options between fully managed and co-managed IT support, you’re already ahead of the curve. These models aren’t one-size-fits-all, which is why we tailor our services around your actual business operations, staff capabilities, and long-term growth plans.
Whether you’re replacing legacy infrastructure, responding to compliance needs, or simply tired of chasing tickets, we’re here to help you build IT systems that scale without stress.
👉 Request your consultation today, and let’s build a smarter, more reliable IT foundation.
