Why IT Managers are moving to co-managed IT solutions

Between keeping systems running, supporting users, fending off cyber threats, and trying to deliver on long-term projects, the workload can feel never-ending.

That’s why more IT Managers are looking at co-managed IT. It’s not about giving up control, it’s about getting the right backup. Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) lets in-house IT teams focus on what matters most, while still making sure day-to-day operations and security are covered.

Think of co-managed IT as a partnership. Your internal team stays in the driver’s seat, setting the direction and handling the things only they can do. The MSP sits alongside, ready to take on whatever gaps need filling – helpdesk support, network management, security monitoring, cloud projects, or just an extra pair of hands during a busy period.

It’s a flexible setup that scales with your needs. Some organisations use an MSP to cover gaps in support, others for specialist skills they don’t have in-house, and others simply to protect their teams from burning out.

If you’re running an IT department, a few of these probably sound familiar:

• The backlog never ends. User requests, updates and system maintenance pile up faster than your team can clear them.
• Specialist skills are hard to find. Cybersecurity, cloud migration, advanced networking – these roles are expensive to hire and even harder to retain.
• Security keeps you up at night. Threats are evolving constantly, and it’s tough to feel confident you’ve got every angle covered.

That’s where a co-managed IT solution starts to shine.

More hands when you need them
Whether it’s a project rollout, a peak workload, or just covering annual leave, an MSP partner on your team gives you instant access to extra support without the pain of recruitment.

Specialists on speed dial
Instead of the cost and headache of trying to hire full-time experts in every area, you tap into your MSP team. Cybersecurity, cloud architecture, network infrastructure – they’ve already got the specialists in place.

A stronger security net
With proactive monitoring, patch management and threat detection, an MSP helps close gaps and reduce your risk exposure. That peace of mind alone is worth a lot.

Space to focus on strategy
Instead of firefighting every day, your team can concentrate on the projects that actually move the business forward. Digital transformation, process automation, innovation – these things finally get the attention they deserve.

A strong co-managed partnership depends on the MSP having a full range of services. Curveball Solutions for example, offers:

• IT Support – from rapid troubleshooting to proactive monitoring, providing your users with helpdesk support or acting as an extension of your own helpdesk.
• Cyber Security – threat detection, vulnerability scanning, compliance support, and round-the-clock protection.
• Cloud Services – strategy, migration and ongoing management to keep your business agile, scalable and secure.
• Network Infrastructure – reliable connectivity and modern workplace communications that keep everyone productive.

This isn’t about outsourcing everything, it’s about picking the areas where outside expertise makes the biggest impact.

The benefits aren’t abstract – they’re the things that make your job easier every day:

• Reliable coverage means you’re not carrying the weight of support alone, and can take time off without worry.
• More reliable systems with proactive monitoring and maintenance that catch problems before they escalate.
• Stronger protection thanks to integrated cybersecurity services that most in-house teams can’t maintain on their own.
• Predictable costs so budgets don’t get eaten up by unexpected hires or firefighting expenses.
• A happier team because they can focus on interesting, strategic work instead of constant troubleshooting.

It’s natural to wonder: will an MSP partnership cause friction with my existing team? The reality is that co-managed IT works best when roles are clear. Internal staff keep ownership of what matters most, and the MSP fills in the gaps. Instead of stepping on toes, it usually lifts some of the weight off everyone’s shoulders.

And yes, there is an investment. But the ROI is real. Fewer outages, fewer missed deadlines, and less burnout often translate into major cost savings and better business performance.

Technology isn’t getting simpler. Complexity is rising, threats are growing, and expectations are higher than ever. More and more organisations are turning to MSPs not just for support, but for strategic security and infrastructure management.

For IT Managers, co-managed IT provides balance: you keep control of your IT strategy, while an MSP makes sure the day-to-day and the security foundations never slip.

Co-managed IT isn’t about replacing your team – it’s about empowering them. With a partner like Curveball Solutions, you gain:

• A responsive helpdesk
• Stronger cybersecurity
• Scalable cloud services
• Reliable infrastructure support

Most importantly, you get the freedom to stop firefighting and start focusing on what really matters: making IT a driver of business growth.

That’s why so many IT Managers are making the shift. Not because they can’t handle the workload, but because they know a smart partnership helps them handle it better.

For information on our UK managed cloud services, get in touch.