Co-managed IT for engineering firms pairs your existing IT staff or technical lead with an external managed service provider to deliver specialized support for CAD, BIM, and engineering software while maintaining 24/7 monitoring and cybersecurity. Your internal team retains control over strategic decisions and daily operations, while the MSP handles after-hours support, security patches, and complex infrastructure tasks. Industry average pricing ranges from $75 - $150 per user per month, with engineering firms typically seeing 40-60% cost savings compared to hiring additional full-time IT staff.
What Does Co-Managed IT Mean for Engineering Firms
Co-managed IT creates a partnership between your in-house technical resources and an external MSP team. Your internal staff maintains ownership of engineering-specific decisions - which Revit plugins to deploy, how to structure project file hierarchies, or when to upgrade AutoCAD licenses - while the MSP provides enterprise-grade security monitoring, infrastructure management, and round-the-clock helpdesk coverage.
This model works exceptionally well for engineering firms because your internal person understands the nuances of your design workflows and client deliverables, but may lack expertise in network security, cloud architecture, or compliance frameworks. The MSP fills those gaps without displacing your existing team member.
For Salt Lake City engineering firms working on projects across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, co-managed IT ensures someone is always available when a remote engineer can't access project files at 9 PM before a deadline. Your internal contact handles the "why did this calculation fail" questions, while the MSP ensures the network, backups, and security infrastructure never become bottlenecks.
Scott from a local engineering firm describes the value: "911 IT's services allows us to focus on our core business by effectively and safely managing our security for our cloud-based services, such as Microsoft Office365, Atlassian, GitLab, NextCloud, and more, including virus and cybersecurity protection on our computer system connected to our network."
Co-managed IT transforms your solo IT person from firefighter to strategic partner by removing the burden of after-hours emergencies and specialized security tasks.
How Is Co-Managed IT Different From Fully Managed Services
Fully managed IT means the MSP becomes your entire IT department - they make all technology decisions, handle every support ticket, and own the entire infrastructure strategy. Co-managed IT preserves your internal expertise while augmenting it with external resources.
Engineering firms often choose co-managed over fully managed because someone internal understands the specific performance requirements of rendering large BIM models or managing version control for structural drawings. That institutional knowledge is valuable and worth preserving.
The division of responsibility typically follows this pattern:
- Internal team: Application-layer issues, software configurations, user training, project-specific troubleshooting
- MSP team: Infrastructure management, servers, networks, security, backups, patches
- Both teams: Regular communication to ensure seamless support
In Salt Lake City's competitive engineering market, firms using co-managed IT report faster response times for engineering-specific issues because the internal person isn't stuck rebooting servers or troubleshooting VPN connections. They focus on what they do best while the MSP handles the rest.
Engineering firms using co-managed IT typically reduce total IT costs by 40-60% compared to hiring additional full-time specialists for security and infrastructure.
The model scales beautifully - as your firm grows from 15 to 50 engineers, the MSP expands monitoring and support capacity without requiring you to hire multiple new IT staff members.
What Specific Tasks Does the MSP Handle in a Co-Managed Model
The MSP in a co-managed arrangement typically owns the infrastructure and security layers that require specialized expertise and 24/7 attention. For engineering firms, this includes continuous monitoring of CAD workstations to detect performance degradation before it impacts project deadlines.
Network security becomes the MSP's responsibility - firewalls, intrusion detection, endpoint protection, and security patch management across all devices. Engineering firms handle sensitive intellectual property and client data, making professional security monitoring non-negotiable. The MSP ensures your defenses stay current without your internal person spending 20 hours per week reading security bulletins.
Backup and disaster recovery fall to the MSP, including automated daily backups of engineering files, offsite replication, and regular recovery testing. When a ransomware attack hits or a hard drive fails, the MSP executes the recovery plan while your internal team communicates with affected engineers and prioritizes which projects to restore first.
After-hours and overflow support becomes the MSP's domain. When an engineer in Casper working on a Wyoming DOT project can't access the file server at 7 PM, they call the MSP helpdesk instead of waiting until your internal person checks email the next morning.
The MSP also handles infrastructure projects that require specialized skills - migrating to cloud-based project management platforms, implementing secure remote access for field engineers, or upgrading network capacity to handle the massive file transfers common in engineering work.
Garry from a local engineering firm notes the impact: "911 IT has been a local, personable partner that truly listens and works with us on detailed requests and advanced security compliance needs specific to our niche. We've had no major outages, and any minor issues were resolved quickly and effectively."
Your internal team retains control over engineering software selection, user permissions, project workflows, and day-to-day application support - the areas where engineering domain knowledge matters most.
How Does Communication Work Between Internal IT and the MSP
Effective co-managed IT requires structured communication channels and clear escalation paths. Most arrangements include a weekly sync meeting where your internal IT contact and the MSP's account manager review open tickets, discuss upcoming projects, and align on priorities.
A shared ticketing system gives both teams visibility into all support requests. When an engineer submits a ticket about slow Revit performance, both your internal person and the MSP can see it. The internal team might check for plugin conflicts or file corruption, while the MSP verifies network bandwidth and workstation resource utilization.
Documentation becomes crucial - the MSP maintains detailed records of your network topology, security configurations, and backup procedures, while your internal team documents engineering-specific workflows and application configurations. Both teams access the same knowledge base.
For Salt Lake City engineering firms with project sites across multiple states, this coordination ensures consistent support regardless of location. An engineer working on a Phoenix commercial development gets the same quality support as someone in the South Jordan headquarters.
Emergency escalation paths are defined upfront:
- MSP's 24/7 helpdesk handles initial response and infrastructure troubleshooting
- MSP loops in your internal contact if engineering-specific decisions are needed
- Both teams coordinate on resolution and communicate status to affected users
The best co-managed relationships feel like a unified team rather than two separate vendors - engineers shouldn't need to know or care whether they're talking to internal IT or the MSP.
Who Provides Co-Managed IT for Engineering Firms in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City engineering firms have several options for co-managed IT partnerships, though the provider landscape differs significantly from fully managed services. The ideal partner understands both general IT infrastructure and the specific performance requirements of engineering software.
911 IT specializes in engineering IT support across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, with specific expertise in CAD, BIM, and engineering software performance optimization. Their team provides 24/7 monitoring and helpdesk support while working alongside your internal IT staff to maintain security compliance and infrastructure reliability. With their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and flat-rate transparent pricing, they've become a trusted partner for engineering firms needing to scale IT capabilities without building a full internal department.
Other local providers include Executech, Wasatch I.T., and Nexus IT Consultants, each offering varying levels of engineering-specific expertise. When evaluating providers, ask specifically about their experience with large file transfers, engineering workstation optimization, and secure remote access for field engineers.
Some engineering firms consider national MSPs, but these larger providers often treat small to mid-sized firms as minor accounts in massive ticket queues. At enterprise-scale providers, your support requests compete with thousands of other clients, and you're unlikely to get engineers who understand the difference between AutoCAD and Revit or why rendering performance matters for project deadlines.
The sweet spot for most Salt Lake City engineering firms is a regional provider large enough to offer enterprise-grade security and 24/7 support, but small enough that your firm is known by name and your specific engineering workflows are understood. 911 IT occupies this space - big enough to handle anything an enterprise provider can, small enough that every client genuinely matters.
Jorge from a local engineering firm summarizes the experience: "911IT was professional, responsive, and easy to work with from start to finish. I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable and knowledgeable IT support."
When choosing a co-managed IT partner, prioritize providers with documented experience supporting engineering firms, clear communication processes, and the technical depth to handle both routine support and complex infrastructure projects.
What Does Co-Managed IT Cost for Engineering Firms
Co-managed IT pricing for engineering firms typically ranges from $75 - $150 per user per month in the current market, though actual costs vary based on the scope of MSP responsibilities and the complexity of your engineering software environment. Firms with high-end workstations running resource-intensive BIM applications may see costs toward the higher end of that range.
This per-user model usually includes 24/7 network monitoring, security management, backup services, and unlimited helpdesk support for infrastructure issues. Engineering-specific services like CAD software optimization or project file management may be included or billed separately depending on the provider.
Additional services often carry separate fees:
- Advanced endpoint detection and response: $25 - $75 per user per month
- Compliance services for government contracts: $50 - $200 per user per month
- Specialized engineering software support: varies by provider and scope
For a 20-person engineering firm in Salt Lake City, co-managed IT might cost $2,000 - $3,000 per month total, compared to $8,000 - $12,000 monthly for hiring two additional full-time IT staff with benefits. The cost savings become more dramatic as firms grow, since the per-user model scales more efficiently than headcount.
Most providers offer flat-rate transparent pricing with predictable monthly costs, eliminating surprise bills when your team needs extra support during a critical project deadline. This predictability helps engineering firms budget accurately for IT expenses.
When evaluating proposals, look beyond the per-user rate to understand what's included: Is after-hours support truly unlimited, or are there hidden hourly charges? Does the price include proactive monitoring and security patches, or only reactive break-fix support? Are engineering workstations monitored at the same level as standard office computers?
The best co-managed IT investments deliver measurable returns through reduced downtime, faster project delivery, and eliminated security incidents - all of which directly impact your firm's profitability and reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are co-managed IT services?
Co-managed IT services combine your existing internal IT staff with an external managed service provider to deliver comprehensive technology support. Your internal team handles day-to-day operations and strategic decisions while the MSP provides specialized expertise, 24/7 monitoring, security management, and after-hours support. This partnership model preserves institutional knowledge while adding enterprise-grade capabilities without the cost of hiring multiple full-time specialists.
Is co-managed IT better than fully managed IT for engineering firms?
Co-managed IT works better for engineering firms with existing technical staff who understand industry-specific software and workflows. It preserves that valuable engineering domain knowledge while adding professional security, infrastructure management, and round-the-clock support. Fully managed IT makes more sense for firms without any internal IT resources, but most engineering companies benefit from keeping someone internal who understands CAD, BIM, and project-specific requirements.
How quickly can a co-managed IT provider respond to engineering emergencies?
Reputable co-managed IT providers offer 24/7 helpdesk support with response times typically under 15 minutes for critical issues affecting project deadlines or system availability. The MSP handles infrastructure emergencies immediately while coordinating with your internal IT staff on engineering-specific decisions. This dual-team approach often delivers faster resolution than a solo internal IT person managing everything alone, especially during after-hours or when multiple issues occur simultaneously.
What security protections does co-managed IT provide for engineering intellectual property?
Co-managed IT providers implement enterprise-grade security including 24/7 network monitoring, advanced endpoint protection, intrusion detection systems, and regular security patch management across all devices. For engineering firms, this includes specific protections for CAD files and project data through encrypted backups, secure remote access controls, and data loss prevention tools. The MSP continuously monitors for threats while your internal team manages user permissions and project-specific access controls.
Can co-managed IT support engineers working remotely across multiple states?
Co-managed IT excels at supporting distributed engineering teams through secure VPN access, cloud-based collaboration tools, and consistent helpdesk availability regardless of location. For Salt Lake City firms with projects across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, the MSP ensures remote engineers can access project files and workstations securely from any location. Your internal IT staff focuses on engineering workflows while the MSP maintains the infrastructure enabling seamless remote work.
How does co-managed IT handle CAD and BIM software performance issues?
Co-managed IT divides performance troubleshooting between application-layer issues handled by your internal team and infrastructure problems managed by the MSP. When Revit runs slowly, your internal person checks for software conflicts or file corruption while the MSP verifies network bandwidth, workstation resources, and server performance. This coordinated approach identifies root causes faster than either team working alone, minimizing downtime that affects project deadlines and client deliverables.
