Co-managed IT services offer a flexible way for businesses to strengthen their internal IT teams while tapping into additional expertise and resources. But finding the right co-managed IT provider requires careful evaluation. You’ll want a partner who complements your team, aligns with your goals, and provides the support your business needs.

Here’s how to assess co-managed IT providers to ensure you make the right choice.

Recognizing When Co-Managed IT Is the Right Fit

Before evaluating providers, consider whether co-managed IT is the right solution for your business. These common challenges can signal it’s time to explore this approach:

• Frequent downtime or slow issue resolution
• Difficulty keeping up with cybersecurity threats
• Overworked or burned-out IT staff
• Limited in-house expertise for advanced technologies or strategic planning

Co-managed IT services can help fill these gaps, enabling your team to focus on what they do best while accessing external expertise to tackle complex challenges.

Related: When to Bring in Reinforcements – 5 Signs You Need Co-Managed IT

Key Evaluation Criteria for Co-Managed IT Providers

Use these criteria to guide your decision-making process:

Experience and Stability

Look for a provider with a proven track record in co-managed IT services. A stable, experienced partner will be better equipped to meet your needs now and as your business grows.

Questions to Ask:

• How long have you been offering co-managed IT services?
• What industries or business sizes do you typically work with?

Breadth of Expertise

Your provider should offer specialized skills that complement your internal team, such as cybersecurity, cloud management, or automation.

Questions to Ask:

• What technical disciplines are represented on your team?
• Do you have experience supporting our specific technologies or line-of-business (LOB) software?

Service Delivery and Responsiveness

A good provider ensures efficient operations by responding to issues quickly and communicating clearly throughout the process.

Questions to Ask:

• What are your response time commitments (SLAs)?
• How do you keep teams informed during troubleshooting?
• What escalation processes are in place for complex issues?

Proactive Cybersecurity Measures

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so it’s critical to partner with a provider who brings advanced tools and a proactive approach to protecting your business.

Questions to Ask:

• How will you work with us to reduce cybersecurity risks?
• Are you SOC 2 compliant or certified in any security frameworks?

Transparent and Flexible Pricing

Make sure you know what’s included in the monthly fee and what may incur additional costs. Transparency about services helps avoid surprises.

Questions to Ask:

• What’s covered in your monthly flat fee (e.g., routine maintenance, cybersecurity monitoring, on-site support)?
• Are there additional charges for advanced troubleshooting or after-hours support?

Support for Planning, Budgeting, and Technology Projects

A co-managed IT provider should help you make informed decisions about IT investments, create budgets that align with your priorities, and execute technology projects efficiently. This includes leveraging vCIO services for strategic IT planning.

Questions to Ask:

• How do you support planning and budgeting for IT investments?
• Do you provide vCIO services to help with strategic IT planning?
• Can you assist with implementing new hardware, software, or other technology projects?
• How do you identify and recommend future technology improvements?

Strategic Alignment and Integration

Your co-managed IT provider should act as an extension of your internal IT team, aligning with your business goals and working collaboratively to support operations. A strong provider integrates seamlessly with your workflows and ensures your IT strategy stays aligned with evolving business needs.

Questions to Ask:

• How do you collaborate with internal IT staff on projects and daily operations?
• What’s your approach to onboarding and knowledge transfer?
• How do you ensure seamless integration with our internal processes?
• How do you help us stay ahead of technology trends and adapt to future needs?

Long-Term Partnership Matters

Evaluating co-managed IT providers isn’t just about comparing services—it’s about finding a partner who will grow with your business. The right provider will complement your internal team, bring expertise where you need it most, and support your strategic goals. With a strong, collaborative partnership, your IT operations will stay secure, scalable, and ready to adapt to the future.

Work with an Experienced Co-Managed IT Provider

At XPERTECHS, we’ve partnered with businesses to deliver co-managed IT services that complement internal teams and achieve meaningful outcomes. From enhanced cybersecurity to efficient IT project execution, we bring the expertise and support your organization needs to succeed.

“I want to be at pace or ahead of the pace of the market in terms of where our technology is. In order to maintain that you need somebody like XPERTECHS in your corner because you can’t rely on the knowledge of one or two IT people to keep you up to date.”

– Bill Thrush, Managing Principal, Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.

Get in touch to learn how our co-managed IT services can help your team reach its goals.