Episode 5: The Power of Partnership: Why Co-Managed IT Is Reshaping the Modern Technology Function

Future Ready Podcast.

Outsourcing isn’t about replacing IT – it’s about amplifying it.

In this episode of Future Ready with Bechtle, Stephen Harley (Field CTO, UK) sits down with Connor Slasberg (Head of Service Pre-Sales) to unpack what managed and co-managed services really mean for modern organisations. They explore why partnership matters more than ticket volumes, how to reassure internal IT teams, and how the right blend of internal capability and external expertise can turn IT from “keeping the lights on” into a genuine driver of change.

Co-managed services aren’t about taking jobs away, they’re about complementing internal teams so they can focus on the work that really moves the business forward.

Connor Slasberg

Why listen?

This episode offers CIOs, Heads of IT and business leaders a practical look at where managed services fit into their strategy, exploring how co‑managed models can support overstretched IT teams without losing control, introduce specialist skills when needed, provide resilience during staff changes or demand spikes, and deliver genuine value through trust, transparency and measurable outcomes. It’s all grounded in real customer experiences - from full environment transformations to co‑managed engagements that reshaped how leadership views the role of technology.

In the episode:

Partnership over “supplier” thinking: Why managed services only work when the provider is embedded in your business, understanding objectives, challenging assumptions, and sharing accountability for outcomes, not just SLA metrics.
A transformation story: from legacy to leadership: How Bechtle helped a customer who’d skipped a generation of refresh modernized devices, infrastructure and cloud during COVID, and how that journey turned non-technical leaders into technology champions within a year.
Co-managed services: why demand is surging: Cost pressure, skills shortages, and rising complexity are pushing organisations towards co-managed models, blending internal IT strengths with external specialism in areas like cloud, security, backup and user support.
Reassuring internal IT: complement, don’t replace: Addressing the natural fears when “outsourcing” is mentioned. How co-managed services can remove low-value noise, protect the IT team’s reputation, and give them air cover to focus on bigger-picture work.
Scaling through change: backfill, spikes and resilience: Real examples where co-managed services stepped in when key IT staff left or volume spiked, stabilising service quickly and then flexing as the team structure evolved.
Beyond tickets: virtual CIO and strategic guidance: Why the most effective partnerships go past operational support to include roadmap conversations, whiteboard sessions, and “virtual CIO / Head of IT” capability that links technology decisions to business outcomes.
Trust, transparency and the power of data: Using clear metrics, risk discussions and backup concepts so leaders can make informed decisions without needing to be technical themselves.
How to choose the right partner: Looking beyond logos and certifications to the humans you’ll actually work with: the consultants, architects and service leaders who’ll sit across the table, explain options clearly and stay with you through the journey.

What you’ll take away.

A practical decision checklist for your next managed or co-managed service discussion:

Where are we today? Do we truly understand our IT landscape, pain points, risks and internal capacity, or are we reacting to symptoms?
What outcomes do we want from a partner? Cost optimisation, risk reduction, freeing up internal capacity, access to specialist skills, strategic guidance, or a blend of all four?
Which functions make sense to co-manage? Service desk, endpoint management, infrastructure, cloud, security, backup/DR, project delivery, or strategic advisory.
How will this affect our internal team? Are we clear what we’re taking off their plate, how we’re protecting their reputation, and how they’ll collaborate with the partner day-to-day?
What does good transparency look like? Shared dashboards, regular service reviews, honest conversations about risk and technical debt, clear RPO/RTO expectations.
Is the partner flexible over time? Can the service shape shift as the business changes, rather than locking us into a three-year model that no longer fits?
Are we choosing who we work with, not just what we buy? Do we trust this team to sit with our board, speak our language, and challenge us constructively when it matters?
How will we measure value? From ticket volumes and response times to user satisfaction, incident reduction, project velocity and business impact.

Listen & Subscribe.

Watch Episode 5.

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Release Date: 20th January 2026

How Bechtle helps.

Bechtle UK brings together managed services, co-managed models and strategic advisory under one roof. This is designed to complement your internal team rather than replace it

Typical support includes:

Discovery and whiteboard sessions to map your current IT landscape
Designing co-managed models that match your skills, capacity and risk profile
Service desk and end-user support, from first-line through to specialist escalation
Managed infrastructure, cloud and security services
Backup and disaster recovery with clear, business-aligned RPO/RTO
Virtual CIO / IT leadership support for roadmap and board-level discussion

All delivered with a partnership-first mindset: transparent, measurable and aligned to your business goals.