A practical comparison to help Calgary businesses make the right IT decision. No sales pitch, just facts.
| Category | In-House IT | Managed IT |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (10-50 employees) | $8,000 - $15,000 Salary + benefits + tools | $1,500 - $5,000 Flat monthly rate |
| Coverage Hours | Business hours only Overtime = extra cost | 24/7/365 Included in plan |
| Expertise Breadth | 1-2 specialists Limited skill set | Full team Network, security, cloud, etc. |
| Scalability | Requires hiring 3-6 month process | Instant Adjust plan as needed |
| Vacation/Sick Coverage | Gap in coverage Or hire backup | Always covered Team-based support |
| Company Culture Fit | Full integration Part of your team | External partner Regular communication needed |
| Immediate Availability | On-site presence Can walk to their desk | Remote + scheduled visits Emergency on-site available |
Potential savings: $48,000 - $97,000/year
Managed IT services work well for businesses of all sizes, from 10 to 500+ employees. The cost savings are significant compared to hiring full-time staff, and you get access to a broader range of expertise. Larger organizations often use co-managed IT, where the managed provider handles specific functions like security monitoring, help desk, or after-hours support while internal IT focuses on strategic projects.
For a 25-employee company, managed IT typically costs $2,500-4,000/month ($30,000-48,000/year). Hiring an in-house IT manager costs $75,000-95,000 in salary alone, plus 20% for benefits, $5,000-15,000 for tools, and ongoing training costs. Total in-house cost often exceeds $100,000/year, meaning managed IT can save 50-70% while providing broader expertise and 24/7 coverage.
Unlike in-house IT where vacation creates coverage gaps, managed service providers operate as teams. Multiple technicians know your environment, so support continues seamlessly regardless of individual schedules. This team-based approach also means you're not dependent on one person's knowledge, a significant risk with in-house IT.
Yes. While most issues are resolved remotely (faster and more efficiently), good managed IT providers offer on-site support for hardware installations, network cabling, and situations requiring physical presence. Calgary-based providers like Lumen IT can typically provide same-day or next-day on-site visits when needed.
Look for providers who conduct thorough onboarding, assign dedicated account managers, and schedule regular business reviews. The best MSPs invest time understanding your operations, not just your technology. Ask about their onboarding process and how they document your environment, this reveals how seriously they take getting to know your business.
Co-managed IT is increasingly popular. Your internal IT person handles day-to-day tasks and strategic projects while the managed provider covers specialized functions like security monitoring, after-hours support, or complex projects. This gives you the best of both worlds, internal knowledge plus external expertise and capacity.
Get a free, no-obligation assessment. We'll analyze your current IT setup and provide honest recommendations, even if that means in-house is better for you.