For many growing businesses in Toronto, the first step toward managing IT is hiring a capable in-house technician, system administrator, or IT manager. But as your business scales – adding more staff, more devices, more cybersecurity risks, and more cloud services – that one person can only do so much.
If your internal IT person is starting to struggle, you’re not alone. Many companies across the GTA face the same challenge:
“Do we hire more IT staff or is there a smarter way to support the team we already have?”
Below are six signs your IT staff is overwhelmed, and how co-managed IT support can give them (and your business) the backup they need.
1. Recurring IT Issues Take Too Long to Resolve
Slow ticket response times, repeated system glitches, or delays in basic fixes may be signs that your IT person is drowning in requests. And when everyday problems pile up, productivity suffers.
If your business relies on fast, reliable support, consider bringing in a Managed IT Services provider in Toronto to help handle the day-to-day workload.
2. No Time for Strategic IT Projects
When your internal IT person is constantly putting out fires, there’s no room left for long-term improvements like:
- System upgrades
- Network redesign
- Cloud migrations
- Cybersecurity reviews
That kind of “tech debt” adds up quickly and holds your business back.
3. Cybersecurity Is Falling Behind
In today’s threat landscape, reactive IT isn’t enough. If your internal team doesn’t have time to monitor threats, test backups, or enforce things like multi-factor authentication, your business is at risk.
Co-managed IT can take over routine security operations and ensure critical protections are always up to date.
4. IT Documentation Is Missing or Outdated
Relying on one person’s memory is a risky move. Without documentation – like asset inventories, password vaults, and SOPs – you’re vulnerable if that person is sick, on vacation, leaves, or simply forgets something important.
This is one of the first areas we help our co-managed clients improve.
5. Compliance Is Becoming a Concern
If you’re in a regulated industry (finance, healthcare, nonprofits), you may be subject to standards like PIPEDA, PCI-DSS, or HIPAA.
Staying compliant involves:
- Risk assessments
- Audit trails
- Access controls
- Security policies
- Ongoing reporting
But if your internal IT person isn’t trained in compliance or doesn’t have the bandwidth, you could face serious consequences. Our co-managed IT support in Toronto includes built-in compliance support, documentation, and security controls to help you stay audit ready.
6. Your IT Person Is Burnt Out – And You’re Thinking About Hiring Help
Is your IT person constantly stressed? Working long hours? Always on-call?
If so, you might be considering hiring a second IT staff member. But before you post that job ad, consider the costs: salary, benefits, onboarding, and retention.
Co-managed IT gives you a more flexible option to scale up support without the overhead of another full-time hire.
What Is Co-Managed IT Support?
Co-managed IT is a partnership between your internal IT team and a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like Connectability. It’s not about replacing your people – it’s about empowering them.
We handle the repetitive tasks, offer strategic insight, and provide tools your internal team may not have. Think of it like giving your IT manager a trusted second-in-command.
What Does Co-Managed IT Typically Include?
- 24/7 help desk and remote support
- Network and server monitoring
- Patch and update management
- Cybersecurity tools and endpoint protection
- Strategic planning and project support
- Compliance documentation and audit prep
- IT documentation and process standardization
Common Questions Toronto Businesses Ask About Co-Managed IT
Q: How do I know if it’s time to get my internal IT person support?
A: If they’re missing deadlines, skipping strategic projects, or showing signs of burnout, it’s likely time. Even just a few hours a week of outsourced help can make a difference.
Q: Do I have to give up control of my IT systems?
A: Not at all. With co-managed IT, your internal team stays in the driver’s seat. We just give them the tools, team, and time they need to succeed.
Q: Is co-managed IT only for large companies?
A: No. Many of our clients are small and mid-sized businesses in Toronto who have 1 to 2 IT staff and need additional support without hiring full-time.
Looking for IT Help in Toronto? Let’s Talk
At Connectability, we specialize in helping growing businesses across Toronto and the GTA extend their IT capacity without expanding their payroll.
If your team is stretched thin, or you’re not sure whether to hire or outsource, start with a quick conversation. We’ll assess your needs and show you what the right level of support could look like.
Book your free IT consultation now
Let’s make your internal IT team stronger together.
