Managed IT vs In-house IT vs Co-managed IT
Whatās the Right Move for Your Growing Business?
The IT Question Every Growing Business Faces:
As your business grows, so do your IT challenges. What started as the occasional tech hiccup can quickly evolve into full-blown complexityāsecurity, compliance, cloud systems, user support, and keeping everything running smoothly.
So whatās the best way to handle it all?
Do you hire someone in-house or partner with a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP)?
Letās break it down.
The Reality of In-House IT: One Person, Too Many Roles
At around 50ā75 employees, many companies consider hiring a full-time IT professional. But that person is often expected to juggle helpdesk support, cybersecurity, cloud management, system updates, and vendor coordinationāall on their own.
Itās a lot to carry. And itās expensive. A skilled IT hire typically costs $70,000ā$100,000 per year, not including tools, training, or benefits. More importantly, when one person handles everything, coverage gaps are almost guaranteedāespecially during absences or emergencies.
A Smarter Option: Managed IT That Scales With You
Working with a Managed Service Provider gives you access to a full team of IT experts, often for less than the cost of one in-house hire. With Foundation BTS, you get:
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24/7 monitoring and proactive support
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Cybersecurity and compliance expertise
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Strategic guidance tailored to your business
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Industry-grade tools already built in
More uptime. Fewer tech headaches. Predictable monthly costs.
When One Person Handles IT, Whatās Being Missed?
Even the most capable internal IT person canāt work 24/7. Without backup, you risk:
ā Delayed responses or unresolved issues
ā Gaps in cybersecurity or documentation
ā Limited strategic planning
ā Burnout or turnover
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) fills those gaps with coverage, depth, and consistencyāso youāre never left exposed.
What About a Co-Managed Approach?
If your company has 100+ employees or a more complex tech environment, a blended model might be the right fit.
With co-managed IT:
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š ļø Your internal team handles day-to-day user support and on-site tasks
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š§ Foundation BTS supports advanced security, system monitoring, and strategy
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š You get layered coverage without overloading your internal resources
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š¤ Itās collaborative, not competitiveāwe work alongside your IT staff
This setup helps your in-house tech thrive, while ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Have Questions? Letās Clear Things Up.
We get itāIT decisions can feel overwhelming. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from growing businesses like yours.
When is it time to switch to managed IT services?
If your IT challenges are growing and your current resources are stretched, or if you’re planning to expand, it’s time to consider managed IT services for more efficient support.
Will outsourcing IT mean losing control?
Absolutely not. Partnering with a provider like Foundation BTS enhances your control by offering more visibility, comprehensive support, and allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
Are managed IT services suitable for small businesses?
Yes, managed IT services are perfect for small to mid-sized businesses that need expert IT support without the expense of a full-time internal team.
What if we already have an internal IT person?
Thatās where co-managed IT shines. We work alongside your in-house team to fill in the gaps, reduce their workload, and provide deeper expertise.
How do we get started?
Just book a free discovery call. Weāll walk through your current setup and help you figure out what makes the most senseāno pressure, no obligation.
Whatās the Right Fit for Your Business?
Not sure where you stand? You donāt have to figure it out alone.
At Foundation BTS, we make IT simple, scalable, and secureāwhether weāre your full team or working alongside your existing one.
Letās talk through your setup and help you choose the best path forward.
