Co-managed vs fully managed IT — what's the difference?
Already have an internal IT person, or starting from scratch? MiBOT works both ways: fully managed (we run everything) or co-managed (we run the always-on layer alongside your internal lead). Both built on the same R450 per user per month proactive service.
- Fully managed: we are your IT department, end to end
- Co-managed: we run the always-on layer, your internal lead runs projects
- Same six pillars, same sub-1-hour SLA in both modes
- No single point of failure — documented runbooks either way
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Fully managed IT means MiBOT runs your entire IT function — monitoring, Microsoft 365, backup, security, communications, helpdesk and network. Co-managed IT means MiBOT runs the always-on layer (24/7 monitoring, patching, backup, security baseline, SLA and reporting) alongside your internal IT lead, who stays focused on business-specific projects. Both use the same proactive model and R450-per-user pricing.
Side-by-side: fully managed vs co-managed IT (MiBOT)
Co-managed IT
Alongside your internal IT lead.
- Best for
- Businesses with an internal IT person who's stretched thin
- Who runs day-to-day projects
- Your internal lead (business apps, bespoke work, strategy)
- Who runs 24/7 monitoring
- MiBOT — network, endpoints, firewalls, Wi-Fi
- Who runs backup & patching
- MiBOT — tested restores, documented patch cadence
- Helpdesk
- Shared — overflow and after-hours covered by MiBOT
- Single point of failure
- Removed — internal lead's leave/illness is covered
- Pricing
- Per-user, scoped to the layer we run for you
Fully managed IT
We are your IT department.
- Best for
- Businesses with no internal IT, or replacing a break-fix arrangement
- Who runs day-to-day projects
- MiBOT — scoped within the managed service and SLA
- Who runs 24/7 monitoring
- MiBOT — network, endpoints, firewalls, Wi-Fi
- Who runs backup & patching
- MiBOT — tested restores, documented patch cadence
- Helpdesk
- MiBOT — all tickets, sub-1-hour response on logged incidents
- Single point of failure
- None — a team and documented runbooks, not one person
- Pricing
- R450 per user per month, excl VAT, 12-month contract
| Attribute | Co-managed IT Alongside your internal IT lead. | Fully managed IT We are your IT department. |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Businesses with an internal IT person who's stretched thin | Businesses with no internal IT, or replacing a break-fix arrangement |
| Who runs day-to-day projects | Your internal lead (business apps, bespoke work, strategy) | MiBOT — scoped within the managed service and SLA |
| Who runs 24/7 monitoring | MiBOT — network, endpoints, firewalls, Wi-Fi | MiBOT — network, endpoints, firewalls, Wi-Fi |
| Who runs backup & patching | MiBOT — tested restores, documented patch cadence | MiBOT — tested restores, documented patch cadence |
| Helpdesk | Shared — overflow and after-hours covered by MiBOT | MiBOT — all tickets, sub-1-hour response on logged incidents |
| Single point of failure | Removed — internal lead's leave/illness is covered | None — a team and documented runbooks, not one person |
| Pricing | Per-user, scoped to the layer we run for you | R450 per user per month, excl VAT, 12-month contract |
How to choose between the two
The deciding factor is whether you already have internal IT capacity. If you have a capable IT person (or a small team) who's drowning in day-to-day firefighting and never gets to the strategic work, co-managed is usually the answer: we take the always-on monitoring, patching, backup, security and SLA off their plate so they can focus on the projects only they can do.
If you have no internal IT — or you're running on a break-fix 'guy who comes in when something breaks' — fully managed is the cleaner fit. We become your IT department: one number to call, one SLA to hold us to, one monthly report, and proactive monitoring that catches most problems before your team notices.
Either way, the engineering underneath is identical — the same six pillars, the same proactive model, the same documented runbooks. We start with a free technical assessment, then recommend the mode that genuinely fits your team, not the one that bills the most.
Five questions to pick the right model
Do you currently have anyone internal responsible for IT — even part-time?
Is that person spending most of their time firefighting instead of on projects?
Who covers IT when your internal person is on leave or off sick?
Do you want one provider accountable end-to-end, or a partner alongside your lead?
Are most of your IT needs keep-the-lights-on, or genuine internal projects?
Co-Managed vs Fully Managed IT — FAQ
What's the difference between co-managed and fully managed IT?
Fully managed means MiBOT runs your entire IT function end-to-end. Co-managed means MiBOT runs the always-on layer — 24/7 monitoring, patching, backup, security baseline, SLA and reporting — alongside your internal IT lead, who keeps the business-specific projects. Both use the same proactive model and per-user pricing.
We have one IT person already. Which model fits us?
Co-managed, almost always. Your internal person stays on the projects only they understand, while MiBOT takes the monitoring, patching, backup, security and after-hours cover. The big win is that your IT no longer depends on one person being available — leave and sick days are covered.
Does co-managed cost less than fully managed?
It's scoped differently rather than simply cheaper. Co-managed covers the always-on layer we run for you; fully managed covers everything at R450 per user per month. We quote both off the same per-user model after a free assessment, so you only pay for the layer you actually need us to run.
Can we start co-managed and move to fully managed later?
Yes. Plenty of clients start co-managed and shift to fully managed when their internal person moves on or the business grows — or the other way around if they hire internally. Because everything is documented, changing the mode doesn't mean re-discovering your environment from scratch.
Managed IT across our service area
Other areas we cover
What's included
Co-managed or fully managed? We'll recommend the honest fit.
Tell us whether you have internal IT and what's on the ground. We'll recommend the model that genuinely suits your team — and show you exactly what it covers before you commit.
Get a free IT assessment →