Your internal IT team understands your organisation, employees, systems and priorities. But as technology becomes more complex, even capable IT departments can become stretched.
Co-managed IT gives your existing team access to additional cybersecurity expertise, Microsoft 365 specialists, senior engineers, monitoring tools and project resources, without handing over control or replacing internal staff.
At Stratiis, we work alongside internal IT managers and IT teams to help organisations:
- Strengthen cybersecurity
- Manage Microsoft 365 more effectively
- Resolve complex technical issues
- Clear project backlogs
- Cover skills and resource gaps
- Improve resilience during holidays, absences or staff turnover
You choose what remains in-house and where Stratiis provides support.
Quick Answer: What Is Co-Managed IT?
Co-managed IT is a partnership between an internal IT team and an external Managed Service Provider.
Your internal team retains ownership of technology strategy, organisational priorities and stakeholder relationships. The external provider supplies additional capacity, specialist skills, tools or technical support in agreed areas.
For example, your team might manage first-line support and business applications while Stratiis handles Microsoft 365 security, infrastructure monitoring, Cyber Essentials preparation, backup oversight and third-line escalations.
It is designed for organisations that need more IT capability without fully outsourcing their IT function.
Who Is Co-Managed IT For?
Co-managed IT is usually best suited to organisations that already employ an IT manager, internal technician or small IT department.
It may be the right fit when:
- One IT manager is supporting the entire organisation
- Support requests are preventing strategic work
- Cybersecurity demands are increasing
- Important projects are repeatedly delayed
- Microsoft 365 has become difficult to manage
- Specialist skills are missing internally
- Recruiting another experienced employee is difficult
- The organisation relies heavily on one key person
- Additional cover is needed during leave, illness or staff changes
Co-managed IT can support organisations across a range of sectors, including:
Housing Associations
Charities and Nonprofits
Law Firms
Manufacturing
Engineering
Construction
Growing Scottish SMEs
Co-Managed IT May Not Be Right for Every Organisation
A co-managed model may not be the best option when:
- You have no internal IT resource
- You want one provider to take full responsibility for IT
- Your environment is small and straightforward
- You only require occasional break-fix assistance
- You need help with one short-term project rather than ongoing support
In those situations, fully managed IT or project-based consultancy may be more appropriate.
How Does Co-Managed IT Work?
There is no single co-managed IT model. The service should be divided according to your internal capabilities, priorities and risks.
Model 1: Cybersecurity Support
Your internal team manages users and day-to-day operations while Stratiis assists with:
- Microsoft 365 security
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint protection
- Vulnerability management
- Cyber Essentials preparation
- Security monitoring
- Incident-response planning
This model is useful when the internal team understands the organisation but lacks dedicated security resources.
Model 2: Technical Escalation
Your internal team handles first-line support while Stratiis provides:
- Third-line engineering
- Complex fault resolution
- Infrastructure expertise
- Network support
- Cloud architecture guidance
- Microsoft 365 escalation support
This gives your team access to senior technical expertise without hiring specialists in every discipline.
Model 3: Helpdesk Overflow and Continuity
Stratiis can provide additional support when:
- Ticket volumes increase
- Internal staff are unavailable
- The organisation is onboarding many users
- A major project creates additional demand
- Holiday or sickness cover is required
The objective is to maintain service quality without permanently increasing headcount.
Model 4: Project Delivery
Stratiis can work alongside your internal team on projects such as:
- Microsoft 365 migrations
- SharePoint implementations
- Microsoft Intune deployments
- Network upgrades
- Cybersecurity improvements
- Server or cloud migrations
- Backup and disaster-recovery projects
This helps prevent strategic initiatives from being delayed by operational support demands.
Model 5: Flexible Co-Managed Partnership
Some organisations combine several of these services.
For example, your internal team could retain first-line support, application ownership and IT strategy while Stratiis manages cybersecurity, monitoring, backups, complex escalations and selected projects.
Responsibilities should be documented clearly so everyone understands who owns each task.
Co-Managed IT vs Fully Managed IT
The main difference is whether your organisation already has internal IT capability.
| Fully Managed IT | Co-Managed IT |
|---|---|
| Designed for organisations without an internal IT team | Designed to support an existing IT manager or department |
| MSP manages most day-to-day IT functions | Responsibilities are shared |
| MSP is the main point of contact for users | Internal IT may remain the main point of contact |
| Standardised service scope | Flexible division of tasks |
| External provider leads IT operations | Internal team retains strategic control |
| Best where IT is fully outsourced | Best where additional expertise or capacity is needed |
Fully managed IT replaces the need to build an internal IT department. Co-managed IT strengthens the department you already have.
What Should Stay In-House, and What Can Be Outsourced?
What Should Stay In-House?
Co-managed IT is not about outsourcing everything.
Most organisations retain internal ownership of:
- IT strategy
- Organisational priorities
- Stakeholder relationships
- Business application knowledge
- Budget ownership
- Internal policies
- Final technology decisions
The external provider is there to advise, support and extend your capabilities, not dictate how your organisation operates.
What Can Be Outsourced?
Tasks commonly assigned to a co-managed partner include:
- Cybersecurity monitoring
- Microsoft 365 security
- Microsoft Defender management
- Microsoft Intune administration
- Infrastructure monitoring
- Patch management
- Backup oversight and recovery testing
- Third-line escalation
- Vulnerability assessments
- Cyber Essentials support
- Major technology projects
- Holiday and absence cover
A useful rule is to keep business-critical knowledge and decision-making internally while outsourcing specialist, repetitive or resource-intensive activities.
What Are the Benefits of Co-Managed IT?
1. Access to Specialist Expertise
Modern IT covers multiple disciplines.
Stratiis can provide access to experience across:
- Cybersecurity
- Microsoft 365
- SharePoint
- Microsoft Intune
- Cloud services
- Networking
- Backup and recovery
- Cyber Essentials
- Strategic IT planning
This is difficult to replicate through one additional hire.
2. Less Pressure on Internal IT
Internal IT managers are often responsible for support, infrastructure, security, suppliers, compliance and projects simultaneously.
Sharing selected tasks gives the internal team more time to focus on improvements that support the organisation.
3. Stronger Cybersecurity
A co-managed partner can help strengthen:
- Identity and access security
- MFA coverage
- Microsoft 365 configuration
- Endpoint protection
- Vulnerability management
- Security monitoring
- Backup resilience
- Incident-response readiness
4. Faster Project Delivery
Projects frequently stall because daily support takes priority.
Additional resources allow migrations, security improvements and infrastructure upgrades to move forward without abandoning operational responsibilities.
5. Reduced Key-Person Risk
Organisations that rely on one IT manager can be vulnerable when that person is unavailable or leaves.
Co-managed support creates additional documentation, shared knowledge and technical continuity.
6. Capacity Without Recruitment
Hiring experienced IT professionals can take months and creates ongoing employment costs.
Co-managed IT provides access to additional resources without recruitment, onboarding and retention challenges.
7. Flexible Support
The service can change as your needs evolve.
You may initially require cybersecurity assistance, then add project support, monitoring or escalation services later.
How Much Does Co-Managed IT Cost?
Co-managed IT pricing varies because every organisation assigns different responsibilities to its external partner.
A cybersecurity-only arrangement will cost less than a service combining helpdesk support, Microsoft 365 management, infrastructure monitoring and project delivery.
| Organisation size | Illustrative monthly range |
|---|---|
| 25 users | £625–£2,500 |
| 50 users | £1,250–£5,000 |
| 100 users | £2,500–£10,000 |
| 250 users | £6,250–£25,000 |
Pricing may be affected by:
Number of users and devices
Number of locations
Existing internal capabilities
Cybersecurity requirements
Microsoft 365 responsibilities
Required support hours
Infrastructure complexity
Compliance obligations
Project requirements
The most useful comparison is not simply the monthly fee. It is the cost of achieving the same combination of expertise, resilience and coverage internally.
Co-Managed IT vs Hiring Another Employee
An experienced IT employee may command a salary of approximately £40,000–£70,000 or more, depending on the role and required expertise.
The organisation may also need to fund:
- Employer National Insurance
- Pension contributions
- Recruitment
- Training and certifications
- Equipment
- Holiday and sickness cover
One employee also brings one primary skill set. A co-managed arrangement can provide access to Microsoft, infrastructure, cybersecurity and recovery specialists through one service relationship.
Co-managed IT is not automatically cheaper in every scenario, but it can provide broader capability and greater resilience than adding a single generalist role.
Common Challenges Co-Managed IT Can Solve
“Our IT Manager Is Overwhelmed”
A single person may be trying to manage users, infrastructure, cybersecurity, suppliers, projects and leadership requests.
Stratiis can take ownership of agreed operational or specialist tasks so the internal manager can focus on higher-value priorities.
“We Need Better Cybersecurity”
The internal team may not have time to monitor threats, review Microsoft 365 security and maintain compliance controls.
Stratiis can provide a structured cybersecurity programme alongside the existing team.
“Projects Keep Getting Delayed”
Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Intune, cloud and infrastructure projects can be postponed indefinitely when support requests take priority.
Additional project resources help create momentum and accountability.
“We Rely Too Heavily on One Person”
Co-managed IT reduces dependency by improving documentation, sharing knowledge and providing cover when key staff are unavailable.
“We Need Specialist Skills, Not Another Generalist”
Hiring one more person may add capacity without solving specialist security, cloud or Microsoft requirements.
A co-managed provider gives the organisation access to a broader technical team.
Stratiis Client Example: Software Company with 100 Employees
The organisation employs one internal IT manager who is responsible for:
- User support
- Microsoft 365
- Supplier management
- Cybersecurity
- Infrastructure
- Compliance projects
As support demand grows, security reviews and strategic projects are repeatedly delayed.
Under a co-managed arrangement:
The Internal IT Manager Retained
- Technology strategy
- Stakeholder relationships
- Internal priorities
- Business-system ownership
- Budget oversight
Stratiis Supports
- Microsoft 365 security
- Cyber Essentials preparation
- Backup monitoring
- Infrastructure monitoring
- Third-line escalations
- Selected technology projects
Results
- Project completion time reduced by 60%
- Outstanding support backlog reduced
- MFA coverage increased from 40% to 96%
- Cyber Essentials achieved within 10 weeks
- Internal IT time redirected toward strategic initiatives
Why Organisations Choose Stratiis
Stratiis works as an extension of your internal team.
Our co-managed approach is built around:
Collaboration rather than replacement
Cybersecurity-first IT management
Microsoft expertise
Fast response times
In-house support
Strategic vCIO guidance
Flexible service design
Fixed and transparent pricing structures
Experience supporting Scottish organisations
We help organisations across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway, Perthshire and wider Scotland strengthen their internal IT capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Co-Managed IT Replace Our Internal IT Team?
No. Co-managed IT is designed to support and strengthen your existing team. Your organisation remains in control of IT strategy, priorities and decision-making.
Can We Choose Which Services We Need?
Yes. Responsibilities can be divided according to your internal capability. You might only require cybersecurity support, or you may need a broader combination of monitoring, Microsoft 365 management, escalations and project assistance.
Can Stratiis Help with Cybersecurity Only?
Yes. Organisations can use Stratiis for Microsoft 365 security, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, Cyber Essentials preparation, backup resilience and incident-response planning while keeping other IT responsibilities in-house.
Can Co-Managed IT Help Manage Microsoft 365?
Yes. Stratiis can support Microsoft 365 administration, security, Microsoft Defender, Intune, SharePoint, Teams governance, identity management and licensing optimisation.
How Long Does Co-Managed IT Onboarding Take?
The timescale depends on scope and complexity. A focused cybersecurity or Microsoft 365 engagement may be quicker than a broad service involving infrastructure, monitoring, documentation and helpdesk integration.
A typical onboarding process should include discovery, access reviews, documentation, responsibility mapping, monitoring setup and an agreed improvement plan.
Can We Keep Our Existing IT Tools?
Usually, yes. The existing toolset should be assessed during discovery. Where current platforms remain suitable, the co-managed partner can work with them. Where risks or limitations are identified, any recommended changes should be explained clearly.
What Happens If Our IT Manager Leaves?
A co-managed provider can help maintain continuity by preserving documentation, administrative access, monitoring and technical knowledge. It can also support the organisation while a replacement is recruited.
Can Support Increase or Decrease Over Time?
Yes. A co-managed agreement should be flexible enough to adapt when user numbers, internal staffing, projects or cybersecurity requirements change.
Is Co-Managed IT Worth It?
It is often valuable for organisations with an internal IT resource that needs additional specialist expertise, capacity or resilience. It may not be necessary for organisations with simple environments or large, fully resourced internal departments.
How Do We Know Who Is Responsible for Each Task?
Responsibilities should be agreed and documented during onboarding. A clear responsibility matrix should identify who owns support, security, monitoring, projects, suppliers, backups, escalation and final decision-making.
Book a Co-Managed IT Assessment
Not sure where internal responsibility should end and external support should begin?
A Co-Managed IT Assessment can review:
- Current internal IT capacity
- Skills and coverage gaps
- Microsoft 365 security
- Cybersecurity maturity
- Project backlogs
- Backup and recovery readiness
- Key-person dependencies
- Opportunities to reduce operational workload
Estimate Your Co-Managed IT Costs
Get an initial estimate based on:
- User count
- Internal IT resources
- Required services
- Cybersecurity needs
- Microsoft 365 responsibilities
- Number of locations
Related Co-Managed IT Resources
- What Is Co-Managed IT and How Does It Work?
- Co-Managed IT vs Fully Managed IT
- How Much Does Co-Managed IT Cost?
- Is Co-Managed IT Cheaper Than Hiring Another IT Employee?
- How Can an MSP Support an Internal IT Manager?
- What Tasks Should Be Outsourced to a Co-Managed IT Partner?
- What Should an IT Manager Look for in a Co-Managed IT Partner?
- How Can Co-Managed IT Improve Cybersecurity?
- Can Co-Managed IT Help Manage Microsoft 365?
- Is Co-Managed IT Worth It?
