Jumpstart Your Co-Managed IT Services Partnership

Much like selecting the right managed IT services partner, choosing the right co-managed IT solution—and the right provider—can be pivotal to long-term success. As with any IT outsourcing decision, the process should begin by identifying your current IT pain points and uncovering gaps in your existing approach.

From there, finding the right co-managed IT provider follows a familiar set of best practices: evaluate expertise and reputation, review processes and documentation, assess the clarity of their solutions, explore pricing and contract terms, and most importantly, speak directly with current clients.

Key Takeaways

• Assess your IT needs and internal gaps to build a collaborative, effective co-managed IT strategy.
• Prioritize providers that offer flexible services, deep cybersecurity expertise, and seamless team integration.
• Focus on long-term partnership potential to ensure scalable, trusted technology support as your business evolves.

Understand What Your Business Needs from a Co-Managed IT Partner

Before vetting co-managed IT providers, take a close look at your organization's current IT capabilities, long-term goals, and areas of vulnerability. Do you need deeper cybersecurity support? More visibility into compliance? Help managing cloud platforms or specialized industry applications?

If you don't know where your needs lie—or which responsibilities you want your co-managed partner to handle—you can't ask the right questions. Alignment is critical. When your provider's capabilities match your internal needs, both teams can collaborate seamlessly and efficiently.

How to Choose the Right Co-Managed IT Provider

Once you've clarified your requirements, cast a wide net. Look for a provider that:

• Has experience supporting businesses of your size and industry
• Offers flexible services that can be tailored to your environment
• Provides 24/7 support and real-time monitoring
• Brings a strong track record in cybersecurity and compliance
• Works with internal IT teams—never in place of them

That last point is especially important. A true co-managed partner enhances your internal team, bringing deep bench strength, modern tools, and responsive service. Your team should be excited to have an experienced IT partner helping them deliver stronger results.

Get detailed guidance in our free guide to co-managed IT

Key questions to ask potential providers:

• Who retains control over day-to-day operations?
• How will your MSP act as a true extension of your team?
• How is communication handled between internal and external teams?
• Can the provider tailor services to your specific business needs?
• What niche expertise does the MSP bring to the table?
• How will the provider align support with your strategic goals?

Evaluate Collaboration and Communication Fit

The best co-managed IT relationships are built on a foundation of collaboration, clarity, and trust. A strong MSP partner will prioritize transparent communication, define roles and responsibilities up front, and ensure that no part of your IT environment is left uncovered.

Ask how the provider handles onboarding, team integration, and regular reporting. What tools will be used for updates? How often will performance be reviewed? A provider's communication process is often the best indicator of long-term fit.

Look for Flexibility and Scalability

Technology doesn't stand still—and neither should your IT provider. Make sure the co-managed services model you choose can scale with your business. As your needs evolve, your MSP should be able to adjust your solution—whether that means adding new capabilities, increasing user support, or shifting strategic priorities.

Also, confirm that your provider offers documented SLAs (service level agreements), a structured escalation process, and defined response times. Ask about proactive monitoring and how urgent issues are handled.

Assess Cybersecurity and Compliance Experience

Every business today faces cybersecurity threats. Your co-managed IT provider should have robust internal security practices and a deep understanding of how to protect your environment. Look for experience with compliance requirements such as HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS, depending on your industry.

Additionally, confirm that the provider offers proactive threat detection, ongoing monitoring, and disaster recovery services.

Understand the Pricing Model and Total Cost

Co-managed IT services are typically priced per user, per month, or per project. At Exigent, we price based on user count and the specific role we play—whether that's infrastructure management, end-user support, or workstation oversight.

It's common to add supplemental services, such as advanced cybersecurity or additional staffing, so be sure you fully understand how pricing works. Don't let cost be the sole factor; expertise, process maturity, and advanced tools are key to delivering long-term value.

Prioritize Long-Term Partnership Potential

Great co-managed IT partnerships are rooted in shared goals and long-term alignment. Ask yourself: Does this provider understand our business? Are they invested in our growth? Can they scale with us?

Look for references from businesses in your industry, and speak with current clients. Ask about responsiveness, service quality, and ability to meet expectations. At Exigent, our average client tenure is more than 10 years—clear proof of our integrity, service, and results.

Ready to Talk?

Schedule a consultation with a trusted co-managed IT services provider to discuss a solution that's tailored to your goals, your team, and your growth. Tip: That's us.