Comparison · Managed IT

Co-Managed IT vs Fully Managed IT

Q: How do you define the boundary between BASG and our internal IT team?

In a co-managed engagement, BASG and the client publish a written RACI matrix during onboarding. Typically BASG owns infrastructure, security, compliance, after-hours coverage, and tooling — while the internal team owns line-of-business application support, user-facing helpdesk, and business-specific projects. The boundary is reviewed quarterly.

Q: Can a company switch between models?

Yes. The most common path is co-managed first while the internal team transitions out, then fully managed once the internal staff move to other roles or leave. The reverse can happen too — companies that grow internal IT often shift toward co-managed.

Q: Which model is cheaper?

Co-managed is usually cheaper as a sticker price because the client retains internal IT salaries. But the all-in cost (BASG fee + internal salaries + benefits) is often higher than fully managed for mid-market companies. The right answer depends on whether the internal team adds value beyond IT support.

Both models give you BASG's monitoring, security operations, compliance support, and senior engineering. The difference is whether BASG augments an existing internal IT team or operates as your IT department.

Who each option is best for

Co-Managed IT fits companies that already have internal IT staff who are competent but stretched, or who lack specific specialization (security engineering, cloud architecture, compliance). The internal team retains day-to-day ownership; BASG fills the gaps.

Fully Managed IT fits companies that have no internal IT team, or whose internal IT is being phased out. BASG operates as the IT department: helpdesk, monitoring, security, compliance, vendor management, and a virtual CIO who owns the roadmap.

Side-by-side comparison

Criterion	Co-Managed IT	Fully Managed IT
Internal IT team required	Yes — at least 1 internal IT person	No — BASG operates as your IT department
Day-to-day ownership	Internal team	BASG
Strategy / vCIO	BASG provides vCIO; internal team executes	BASG provides vCIO and execution
Helpdesk	Internal team handles tier 1; BASG handles overflow + after-hours	BASG handles all tiers
Security operations	BASG (24/7 SOC, EDR, SIEM)	BASG (24/7 SOC, EDR, SIEM)
Compliance evidence collection	BASG	BASG
Best for	Companies whose IT team is competent but stretched, or lacks security/compliance/cloud specialization	Companies with no internal IT, or where internal IT is being phased out
Pricing model	Monthly retainer scoped to augmentation needs	Per user / per endpoint per month
Typical engagement size	1–3 internal IT staff being augmented	Full IT department replacement
Limitations	Requires clear role boundaries with internal team	Less internal product / app expertise

Pricing comparison

Co-managed IT is typically priced as a monthly retainer scoped to the augmentation needed — most engagements bundle 24/7 monitoring, EDR, SIEM, after-hours coverage, vCIO time, and a fixed pool of senior-engineer hours.

Fully managed IT is priced per user per month or per endpoint per month, with predictable flat-rate billing. Hardware, licensing, and major projects are scoped separately.

Limitations to know

Co-managed requires a clear boundary with internal staff. If roles overlap or the internal team is uncooperative, accountability suffers.
Co-managed total cost (BASG + internal salaries + benefits) is often higher than fully managed for mid-market companies — make sure your internal team adds value beyond IT support.
Fully managed means your internal team loses day-to-day product expertise. Plan a knowledge-transfer phase if you're transitioning from internal IT.

How to choose

If you have 1+ competent internal IT staff and you do not plan to lose them, start with co-managed.
If you have no internal IT, or are about to lose your only IT person, choose fully managed.
If your internal IT does great line-of-business application work but cannot keep up with security / compliance / cloud, co-managed is the right model.
If your internal IT is overwhelmed by tickets and you want them refocused on strategic work, fully managed often wins on total cost.

Recommendation

For mid-market companies with 1–3 existing IT staff, BASG usually recommends starting co-managed. It preserves institutional knowledge, gets BASG's security and compliance program live quickly, and creates a clear path to fully managed if the internal team rolls off later. Talk to BASG if you want a written recommendation specific to your environment.

Common questions

How do you define the boundary between BASG and our internal IT team?

Can a company switch between models?

Which model is cheaper?

Ready to figure out which model fits?

BASG will ask you 8 questions about your team, environment, and goals. You'll leave the call knowing which model fits — even if it's not us.

Schedule a Strategy Call 888-421-5550