IT tasks to outsource to an MSP can free up internal resources and allow a company to retain ownership of its technology decisions. Many businesses have qualified IT staff, but this does not always address the challenges of everyday IT support, security, network maintenance, or cloud management.

When these responsibilities consume too much time, company proposals and strategic projects may suffer. This guide will explain which duties are appropriate for an MSP, which ones should remain in-house, and how co-managed IT support can establish a helpful balance.

What Does Co-Managed IT Support Mean?

Co-managed IT support is an option for companies that want to combine the use of an internal IT staff and managed service providers. Thus, this IT support outsourcing option implies the collaboration between in-house administrators and external technical experts. Both sides need to have well-defined responsibilities based on their current competencies and business needs.

Which IT Tasks to Outsource to an MSP?

Common tasks include:

• IT help desk and user support

• Network monitoring and management

• Cybersecurity monitoring

• Cloud administration

• Backup monitoring

• Software patching

• Device and endpoint management

IT Help Desk and Routine Support

IT help desk outsourcing can help to handle various recurring technical issues, problems with user accounts, software malfunctions, and other relatively simple tasks. It can help to reduce the number of recurring requests directed to internal staff and allow them to concentrate on more important affairs.

Network, Cloud, and Security Management

Network monitoring and management can prevent outages and performance issues by providing around-the-clock observations and technical support. Cloud IT management may also include cloud administration and maintenance services, depending on the provider. Cybersecurity management services can comprise monitoring, patching, and protective measures against cyber threats and malicious attacks.

Which IT Responsibilities Should Stay In-House?

Some IT responsibilities that should remain in-house are strategic technology decisions, technology planning and budgeting, business-specific applications, and vendor management. When delegating IT tasks to an MSP, it is essential to retain control over technology decisions that have a direct impact on the company’s operations, while IT project management services can provide additional support for larger technology initiatives when needed.

How to Decide What IT Work to Outsource

1. List Recurring IT Tasks

Write down daily and weekly support, maintenance, monitoring, and administrative responsibilities. This shows where your team spends the most time.

2. Identify Workload Problems

Find tasks that regularly delay projects or create backlogs. These areas may be strong candidates for IT support outsourcing.

3. Check Technical Skill Gaps

Identify technologies your team does not regularly manage. Specialized MSP expertise can fill these gaps without requiring another full-time employee.

4. Separate Strategic Work

Keep responsibilities that directly affect business strategy, planning, and internal operations with your team. Consider outsourcing work that can be clearly documented and measured.

5. Define Responsibilities

Create a clear division of work before starting. Everyone should know which team handles support tickets, security issues, infrastructure, and major technology decisions.

What Services Can an MSP Handle?

MSPs can offer help desk, network monitoring, cybersecurity management, cloud administration, patch management, and backup monitoring support. The services to be provided are determined by IT workload management, staff, and technological capabilities. Some companies only outsource certain aspects of their operations rather than the complete IT department.

A Practical Co-Managed IT Example

A company has an internal IT department that is too small to address all help desk requests and technical support issues. As a result, strategic initiatives and technology projects are constantly delayed. In particular, an MSP can offer IT help desk support and manage the network, security monitoring, and cloud administration functions. Thus, the internal IT staff is freed up to focus on strategic projects, planning, and technology decision-making, while the MSP handles some of the more routine and time-consuming responsibilities.

Conclusion

Selecting the right IT tasks to outsource to an MSP depends on workload, expertise, security needs, and business priorities. Help desk support, network monitoring, cybersecurity, cloud administration, and routine maintenance are common areas to consider.

Start by reviewing your team's workload and identifying skill gaps. Then create clear responsibilities between your internal team and MSP. A well-planned co-managed approach can provide additional IT capacity while keeping important business decisions in-house.

Frequently Asked Questions

What IT tasks should a business outsource?

IT help desk support, network monitoring and management, cybersecurity services, cloud administration and maintenance, and related tasks are common examples of IT tasks to outsource to an MSP.

What is co-managed IT support?

Co-managed IT support involves an MSP and internal IT staff. Both parties share responsibilities based on workload, specialization, and business needs.

Should a company outsource its IT help desk?

Yes, IT help desk outsourcing is suitable for organizations that have too many help desk inquiries and user account issues to address. IT help desk outsourcing allows a company to retain its internal IT team and use an MSP for routine matters.

What cybersecurity tasks can an MSP manage?

An MSP can provide cybersecurity services, including monitoring, endpoint protection, patch management, and similar tasks. The specific areas that an MSP can address will depend on the provider.

Can an MSP work with an internal IT team?

Yes, an MSP can work with an internal IT team, at least in the case of co-managed IT support. This option allows a company to use the combined expertise of an MSP and an in-house IT team.

What IT tasks should remain in-house?

Technology planning and strategy, business-specific applications, technology budget, and similar responsibilities normally comprise the responsibilities of an internal IT team.

How does IT support outsourcing reduce workload?

IT support outsourcing reduces a company’s workload by addressing some or all of the IT help desk and user support issues. This option creates additional capacity for an internal IT team to work on technology projects and infrastructure-related tasks.

When should a company consider outsourced IT support services?

A company should consider outsourced IT support services when internal resources are unable to address all IT help desk and user support issues. IT support outsourcing can supplement an in-house IT team and provide additional expertise and capacity.

How do you choose IT tasks to outsource?

The selection of IT tasks to outsource is based on a company’s needs, the specialization of an in-house team, and the capabilities of an MSP. IT tasks to outsource to an MSP typically include help desk support, network monitoring and management, and related duties.

Is co-managed IT better than fully outsourced IT?

Co-managed IT support is normally preferable to completely outsourced IT support when an organization wants to retain some in-house technology capabilities.