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Two Ways to Run Your IT

Every business needs someone responsible for its technology. Most choose between two models: hiring their own IT staff, or partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) that supports, monitors and secures their systems for a monthly fee. A third option, co-managed IT, combines the two.

This guide compares in-house IT and managed IT services on coverage, expertise, security, cost and control, so you can decide which model fits your business. If you are new to the subject, start with what managed IT services are.

At a Glance

  • In-house IT: your own employees, on site
  • Managed IT: a provider’s full team under one agreement
  • Co-managed IT: your staff plus a provider’s team and tools
  • Compare coverage, expertise, security, cost and control

In-House IT vs. Managed IT Services

Both models can keep a business running. They differ in who does the work, how much expertise you can draw on, how coverage works when someone is out and how costs are structured.

In-House IT Team

  • Staff on your payroll who are on site every day
  • Direct control over priorities and projects
  • Salaries, benefits, training and tools are your cost
  • Coverage depends on one or a few people’s schedules
  • Expertise is limited to the people you hire

Managed IT Services

  • A team of help desk technicians, engineers and security specialists
  • Monitoring, patching and support under one agreement
  • A predictable monthly fee based on what is managed
  • Coverage does not depend on one person’s vacation or sick days
  • Most support delivered remotely, with onsite visits when needed

Many businesses do not have to choose one or the other. With co-managed IT, internal IT staff and a managed IT provider share the work.

What In-House IT Really Costs

Salary is only part of the cost of an IT employee. Benefits, payroll taxes, recruiting, training and certifications add to it, and so do the tools a professional IT operation needs, such as monitoring, security, backup and documentation software.

There is also the cost of gaps. When your only IT person is on vacation, out sick or leaves the company, support slows down and knowledge can walk out the door. Covering evenings, weekends and emergencies usually means paying for overtime or outside help anyway.

A managed IT agreement turns most of these costs into one predictable monthly fee. TechStarters prices managed IT per device, with an annual or month-to-month agreement; see how managed IT pricing works.

Coverage, Expertise and Security

One or two IT employees cannot be experts in everything a business now depends on: networks and firewalls, Microsoft 365, cloud services, backups, cybersecurity and compliance. A managed IT provider brings a broader team, so the right specialist handles each problem.

Coverage is broader too. TechStarters runs a 24/7 help desk and monitors managed systems around the clock, so problems are noticed even when no one has called. Unlimited remote help desk support is included in managed IT plans Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding major holidays.

Security is part of daily management rather than an extra task for a busy employee. TechStarters is a SOC 2 Type II audited managed service provider, and every managed workstation and server includes endpoint protection and security patching.

Control and Knowledge of Your Business

The main advantage of an in-house team is that it is part of your business every day. A good managed IT provider closes much of that gap by documenting your systems, learning your users and business applications, and meeting with leadership to plan ahead through IT consulting and virtual CIO services.

You keep control of decisions and budgets. The provider carries out the daily work and gives you clear information about the condition, risks and costs of your IT.

Which Model Fits Your Business?

In-House IT Often Fits

  • A large organization with complex systems built around its own staff
  • Specialized in-house applications that need someone on site all day
  • An established IT team that already covers support, security and planning
  • Strict requirements that every technology decision be made inside the company

Managed IT Often Fits

  • No dedicated IT staff, or IT is someone’s second job
  • One IT person who is overloaded or has no backup
  • Growth, new hires or new locations on the way
  • Security, cyber insurance or compliance requirements to meet
  • A need for predictable IT costs from month to month

See all 10 signs your business needs managed IT services.

Co-Managed IT: Keep Your Team and Add Ours

If you already have IT staff, co-managed IT lets them keep the work they want to own while a managed IT provider adds help desk coverage, monitoring, security tools and project support. Responsibilities are agreed in writing, so everyone knows who handles what.

Co-managed IT is also a practical way to give an overloaded IT person backup, or to cover hours and skills your team does not have.

Managed IT vs. In-House IT FAQs

Is managed IT cheaper than hiring an IT employee?

It depends on the size and needs of your business. Compare the full cost of an employee, including benefits, training, tools and coverage when they are away, with a written managed IT proposal that lists exactly what is included.

Can a managed IT provider replace our IT department?

Yes. With fully managed IT, the provider acts as your IT department, handling support, monitoring, security and planning, with onsite support near our offices when a problem cannot be solved remotely.

Can our IT person work with a managed IT provider?

Yes. With co-managed IT, your IT staff and our team share the work, and responsibilities are agreed in writing.

Will we lose control of our IT?

No. You keep control of decisions and budgets. A managed IT provider documents your systems, reports on their condition and plans changes with you.

How do we get started?

Every managed IT engagement with TechStarters starts with a free IT assessment. We review your current IT setup and send a written proposal with per-device monthly pricing. Already working with a provider? See how to switch managed IT providers without disruption.

Explore Our Managed IT Services

Request a Managed IT Services Quote

Tell us about your business, your locations and your devices, and we will send a written proposal with per-device monthly pricing. Prefer to talk? Call (877) 932-0040.

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