Introduction: Evolving IT Demands Require a Hybrid Approach
Mid-sized businesses today face increasing demands on their IT departments—compliance pressures, rising cybersecurity threats, and growing infrastructure complexity. In this environment, many organizations are shifting toward a co-managed IT model. This approach pairs internal IT resources with the external expertise and infrastructure of a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like ETS Technology Solutions.
It’s not about replacing your IT team. It’s about empowering them to do more—with less stress, greater stability, and deeper strategic impact.
What Is Co-Managed IT?
Co-managed IT is a collaborative service model that blends your existing IT personnel with third-party MSP support. It’s flexible by design—services can be customized to fill gaps, offload routine tasks, or provide strategic guidance where needed.
Key Components May Include:
- 24/7 network monitoring
- Helpdesk escalation support
- Cybersecurity infrastructure
- Patch management and compliance
- Backup and disaster recovery solutions
- Cloud migration and virtualization
ETS doesn’t impose a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we tailor co-management solutions around the needs, strengths, and limitations of your internal team.
Case Study: Augmenting IT in a Rapidly Growing Financial Firm
A Chicago-based financial services company with 70+ employees experienced growing pains:
- Their internal IT team was capable but overwhelmed.
- They faced a backlog of tickets, compliance audits, and pressure from leadership for infrastructure upgrades.
What ETS Provided:
- Tier 1 ticket triage and helpdesk support
- Compliance reporting and patch documentation
- Cybersecurity posture assessment
- Business continuity testing and Datto BDR implementation
Outcome:
- Resolved helpdesk backlog by 60% within 90 days
- Passed their 2025 SOC 2 audit with zero major findings
- Reduced average ticket resolution time by 3.5 hours
- Reallocated internal IT to focus on digital transformation
Strategic Benefits of Co-Managed IT
1. Operational Efficiency Without Overhead
Hiring more full-time IT staff is expensive and slow. Co-managed IT gives you access to a broader skillset without inflating your payroll.
2. Improved Risk Management
MSPs bring proven processes, cybersecurity tools, and monitoring protocols that catch issues before they escalate.
3. Business Continuity
From Datto backup solutions to 24/7 monitoring, you gain institutional redundancy that internal teams alone can’t always maintain.
4. Scalability
As your business grows, so can your IT strategy—without needing to constantly rebuild your in-house team.
When Co-Managed IT Makes the Most Sense
Co-management is most valuable when:
- Your internal IT team is lean but capable.
- You’re scaling operations or locations.
- You’re facing compliance or audit pressures.
- You’ve experienced downtime or security events in the past year.
It’s not a temporary fix—it’s a forward-looking strategy that elevates your IT from reactive to proactive.
Why ETS Technology Solutions?
ETS is not a national chain or faceless helpdesk. We are a local, Rosemont-based MSP with a reputation for close partnerships, responsive support, and accountability.
What sets ETS apart:
- Chicago-based NOC and support teams
- Decades of mid-market and enterprise experience
- Flexible support models, including co-management
- Proactive security and compliance-first mindset
Conclusion
Co-managed IT empowers your internal team without replacing them. It strengthens your risk posture, boosts operational agility, and sets your business up for sustainable growth. In today’s threat landscape, that’s not just a convenience—it’s a necessity.
Contact ETS today to explore a co-managed IT strategy tailored to your team.