At some point most growing businesses have to decide who looks after their technology. Hire someone, hand it to a specialist, or do both? The answer is not the same for every firm, and the best choice often changes as you grow. This guide compares the options and explains how to choose well.
Three common models
In-house IT
You employ one or more people who look after your systems. The advantage is familiarity and immediate presence. The risks are cost, coverage and depth. One person cannot be an expert in networking, security, cloud and help desk, and cannot work every hour or take holidays without leaving a gap.
Outsourced IT support
A provider acts as your outsourced IT department. You get a team with a range of skills, a help desk, monitoring and security tools for a predictable monthly fee. It suits businesses without a full time IT role, or those that want to avoid dependence on one person. Our managed IT services work this way.
Co-managed IT
Your internal IT person or team keeps day to day ownership, and a provider adds depth, tools and cover: after hours monitoring, security, project capacity and backup when someone is away. Co-managed IT suits larger firms and those with a capable internal person who needs support.
| Factor | In-house | Outsourced | Co-managed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost pattern | Salary plus tools | Predictable monthly fee | Mix of both |
| Breadth of skills | Limited to the team | Broad | Broad |
| After hours cover | Hard to provide | Typically included | Provider covers gaps |
| Knowledge of your business | Deep | Builds over time | Deep plus specialist |
| Risk of key person leaving | High | Low | Moderate |
| Best for | Larger or specialised environments | Small and mid sized businesses | Firms with an IT lead |
Managed IT vs in-house IT: how to decide
Ask yourself:
- Do we need coverage beyond one person’s hours? If downtime at night or on holidays hurts, one employee is not enough.
- How broad are our needs? Security, cloud and compliance now demand specialists.
- How predictable do we want costs? Monthly fees are easier to budget than salary, recruitment and tools.
- How much do we want to manage? Running a team takes attention that may be better spent on the business.
For many firms with fewer than a hundred staff, the comparison of managed IT vs in-house IT favours outsourcing, or co-managing once the business grows.
Managed IT services cost
Prices depend on your size, your risk and what is included, so ask for a written scope. A fair comparison looks at:
- Help desk hours and response times
- Onsite visits
- Security tools such as endpoint protection and backup
- Microsoft 365 administration
- Projects versus routine support
- Contract length and exit terms
The lowest price is often the narrowest scope. Compare like with like, and read our overview of managed services types to understand the pieces.
What to look for in a provider
- Clear scope and pricing, with nothing hidden.
- Security built in, not sold as an extra afterthought.
- Local presence for onsite needs. For IT services for small business in the GTA, that means engineers who can attend within a reasonable time.
- Reporting you can understand.
- Documentation and ownership. You should own your passwords and records.
- References from clients like you.
Risks and how to manage them
Outsourcing is not hands off. Keep an internal contact, review reports monthly, and make sure you have copies of documentation and admin credentials. Include exit terms in the agreement. If you ever need to move, our guide on choosing and switching IT providers explains how to do it smoothly.
We will review your situation and give you an honest recommendation, including when not to outsource.
Book a free consultationFrequently asked questions
Will I lose control of my IT if I outsource?
No, provided you keep ownership of your accounts and documentation, set clear scope and review reporting regularly.
Can we outsource only part of IT?
Yes. Many firms outsource security, after hours support or projects while keeping day to day work in house.
How long does onboarding take?
Typically a few weeks, covering discovery, tool deployment and documentation.
Related service: Managed IT Services
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