Burnt Out and Understaffed: Why Managers Are Turning to Co-Managed IT

The Modern IT Manager’s Burnout Cycle 

Want to know if co-managed IT is right for you? If you’re an IT manager, there’s a good chance your day starts with back-to-back helpdesk tickets and ends with a half-written project proposal you didn’t have time to finish. The expectation to keep systems running, respond to users, defend against cyber threats, and plan for future growth, often alone or with a small team, exhausts even the most seasoned professionals. 

Across the UK, IT leaders are seeking practical and scalable solutions to regain control over their IT infrastructure. That’s where co-managed IT steps in. 

The Hidden Costs of Doing It All Yourself 

Managing everything internally may seem like the most controlled and cost-effective approach. But over time, it becomes unsustainable and expensive: 

• Burnout leads to turnover (yours or your team’s) 

• Missed opportunities for automation or innovation 

• Increased downtime risk from overstretched resources 

• Delayed upgrades due to lack of time or bandwidth 

Meanwhile, your role becomes reactive rather than strategic, and the business quietly begins to question why IT can’t “move faster.”  

The irony? You’re working harder than ever, but the value isn’t visible. 

What Co-Managed IT Means (and What It Doesn’t) 

Co-managed IT is often misunderstood. It’s not about outsourcing control or admitting defeat. It’s about strengthening your position by expanding your capacity. You keep your role, systems, and oversight, but gain a trusted external partner who fills in the gaps, handles the noise, and helps you move forward. 

This kind of partnership is flexible and can be tailored to your needs:  

• You might need a team to handle first-line support.  

• You could be looking for help with infrastructure monitoring, patching, or project rollouts.  

• Or you may want someone to step in when things get busy without having to hire full-time staff or rely on ad hoc contractors.  

The point is that you stay in control. The co-managed partner supports your goals your way.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help: In Fact, It’s Smart 

Many IT professionals wait too long to seek support. But the most innovative leaders know when to bring in reinforcement.

If you’re deferring upgrades, missing SLAs, or simply dreading Monday mornings, it’s a clear sign you’re stretched too thin. Strategic businesses aren’t expecting IT to handle everything anymore, they’re asking IT to focus on what really matters. Co-managed IT gives you the breathing room to do just that. 

Why Managers Are Making the Move 

• More resilience, less stress: With a co-managed setup, you don’t have to worry about key person dependency. When someone goes on holiday or gets sick, support doesn’t stop. 

• Faster results, without the hiring delay: Onboarding a co-managed partner is often quicker than recruiting a new team member. And you don’t need to budget for a full salary and benefits. 

• Scalable support for growing demands: As your business grows, so do your IT needs. Co-managed services can flex with you, scaling up (or down) without disruption. 

• Access to broader expertise: You gain access to specialists in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud, compliance and automation that you may not have in-house. 

• You stay in control: Unlike full outsourcing, co-managed models let you choose what to keep and what to delegate. You define the roles. 

The Real-World Impact 

Babington, a UK-based training provider, faced a common challenge: a constant stream of password reset requests from students. Their internal CTO and IT Manager were stuck in reactive mode, unable to break free and focus on more strategic work. They knew something had to change.  

By partnering with us, a forward-thinking co-managed IT provider, they eliminated inefficiencies, introduced automation to manage routine tasks, and freed up their internal team to focus on strategic initiatives. The partnership reduced pressure and unlocked new opportunities for innovation and growth. 

“Air IT manage all our IT support issues, equipment handovers and IT inductions to a high standard. The automation solutions they provide have saved our team endless hours and add value to our organisation by providing a more efficient and simpler end-user experience.” Dan Massey | Head of IT, Babington 

With a clearer division of roles, expert guidance on cybersecurity, and proactive support in place, Babington could finally start advancing instead of reacting.  Read the full case study here.  

Choosing the Right Partner (Without Losing Control) 

Co-managed IT isn’t just about finding the fastest fix, it’s about finding a partner who strengthens your team without stepping on your toes. The right partner will fit into your environment, not take it over. Look for a team that: 

• Respects your existing tools and processes.  

• Prioritises documentation and collaboration.  

• Defines responsibilities clearly, so you know exactly what they handle and what stays with you 

• Most importantly, aligns with your goals, your culture, and your security requirements 

Co-managed IT should make your team stronger, not make you redundant. 

A Smarter Way to Stay Ahead 

Burnout isn’t just an HR Issue. In IT, it leads to vulnerabilities, lost time, and missed opportunities. But the answer isn’t always to outsource everything. For many businesses, co-managed IT offers a better way to stay ahead: one that supports the team you trust without letting things fall through the cracks. 

See Where Teams Are Benefiting from Co-Managed Support 

From IT managers in London navigating hybrid workforce challenges, to education providers in Nottingham overwhelmed with service desk demand, co-managed IT is helping internal teams reclaim their time and focus. 

Our team supports growing organisations across the UK, including clients in Birmingham, Edinburgh, and beyond with proactive, flexible IT partnerships that match their internal culture and pace. 

If you’re looking for support that complements your team and grows with your needs, explore how co-managed IT could be the right fit. 

FAQs: What IT Leaders Are Asking 

What exactly is co-managed IT support? 

Co-managed IT is a collaborative model where your internal IT team works alongside an external provider. You stay in control while delegating specific tasks like monitoring, help desk support, or project delivery, to free up internal resources. 

When is the right time to bring in support? 

Co-managed IT is ideal when your team is stretched too thin to deliver the service your business expects, or when you want to take on strategic projects but can’t get out of day-to-day support work. 

Will co-managed IT replace my role or reduce my influence? 

No at all. It will support you, not replace you. It makes your contribution more visible by freeing you from repetitive tasks and crisis management. 

How do I explain the value of co-managed IT to leadership? 

Position it as an investment in risk reduction and a strategic enabler. Talk about reduced downtime, better documentation, and the ability to focus on innovation and compliance. 

Will I lose control by bringing in an external provider? 

No, not with the right partner. A strong co-managed IT relationship puts you at the centre. With the proper setup, you retain complete control and transparency over every action. 

Stop doing IT the hard way

IT teams are facing an unprecedented challenge: managing increasing complexity, cybersecurity risks, and digital transformation initiatives, all while being asked to do more with fewer resources.

Download our interactive guide and take the first step toward a stronger, more resilient IT team!