If you manage a business that leans on technology, you’ve likely heard the term CI/CD pipelines tossed around—perhaps by your DevOps team. CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous delivery) pipelines are the backbone of modern software development, enabling your business to deploy updates quickly and efficiently while maintaining minimal disruption to existing systems.
But here’s the real kicker—without proper security and scalability, CI/CD pipelines can become a bottleneck or, worse, a vulnerability for your business. This is where Co-Managed IT shines. By incorporating it into your DevOps processes, you strike the perfect balance between tight security, improved scalability, and operational efficiency.
Curious about how Co-Managed IT can be the game-changer your business needs? This article breaks it all down.
What is Co-Managed IT and Why Does it Matter in DevOps?
What is Co-Managed IT?
Imagine sharing the workload of IT management with an external team of experts, without handing over your entire system. That’s Co-Managed IT. It’s a collaborative approach where your internal IT team works alongside an experienced partner to fill gaps, improve capabilities, or tackle high-level projects.
For businesses running DevOps environments—where collaboration and efficiency are critical—this partnership offers unmatched flexibility and support.
Why is Co-Managed IT Important for DevOps?
CI/CD pipelines require seamless orchestration between different teams and tools. DevOps teams are tasked with maintaining speed without sacrificing security or stability. Co-Managed IT enhances this by providing specialized expertise and resources that might be missing within your in-house team.
Think of Co-Managed IT as hiring a tailored, on-demand set of extra hands to ensure your CI/CD engine runs smoothly and securely.
The Benefits of Co-Managed IT for Business Owners
For business owners, Co-Managed IT isn’t just another tech service; it’s a strategic advantage. Here’s why adopting it for managing your CI/CD pipelines is worth considering.
1. Enhanced Security (Protecting What Matters Most)
Ever worry about vulnerabilities sneaking into production because of rushed deployments? Security is one of the top concerns with CI/CD pipelines.
Co-Managed IT services provide access to experienced cybersecurity specialists who can implement:
- Automated security checks during the CI/CD processes.
- Advanced threat detection to identify vulnerabilities before they escalate.
- Compliance monitoring to ensure regulations like GDPR and HIPAA are met.
By partnering with a Co-Managed IT provider, you can sleep easier knowing your pipeline is watertight.
2. Scalability (Growing Without Limits)
Businesses grow, and so do IT demands. What worked for your team of 10 might not suit a team of 100. To scale successfully, you need a DevOps setup that grows with you.
Co-Managed IT solutions ensure your infrastructure dynamically adjusts with your business needs by:
- Upgrading pipelines to handle larger workloads.
- Automating tasks to reduce manual intervention.
- Monitoring system performance and preventing bottlenecks.
Your business remains agile and prepared for whatever lies ahead.
3. Improved Efficiency (Cut Waste and Boost Productivity)
With Co-Managed IT, your internal team has more time to focus on innovation instead of patching up outdated systems or putting out fires. Your external partner takes care of monitoring, upgrades, and troubleshooting, ensuring the pipeline continues moving faster than your competitors can keep up.
4. Cost-Effectiveness (Higher ROI for Your IT Spend)
Outsourcing specific IT functions means you don’t need to hire full-time specialists to manage tasks like DevOps security and system scaling. Co-Managed IT eliminates this need, delivering high-quality services at a predictable cost, making your entire operation more cost-effective.
Thought Experiment
How much would it cost to handle pipeline downtime or a security breach? The investment in Co-Managed IT—compared to potential losses—is a no-brainer.
How to Integrate Co-Managed IT into Your Current IT Setup
Step 1. Start By Identifying Pain Points
Do deployments frequently break existing systems? Are security gaps leaving your system vulnerable? Pinpoint what’s slowing your pipelines or stressing your DevOps team. This analysis will help you partner with a Co-Managed IT provider who understands your unique challenges.
Step 2. Find the Right Partner
Not all Co-Managed IT services are created equal. Look for a provider with experience in:
- Managing CI/CD pipelines.
- Enhancing automation in software delivery processes.
- Implementing advanced security measures within DevOps environments.
Step 3. Establish Collaborative Processes
Once you’ve found the right provider, establish clear roles and responsibilities between your in-house team and your Co-Managed IT partner. Define who handles what—whether it’s around-the-clock monitoring, maintenance, or troubleshooting.
Step 4. Document Workflow Best Practices
Your organization and your Co-Managed IT partner should map out a comprehensive CI/CD workflow:
- Ensure steps align with your goals.
- Implement routine audits to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Having structured guidelines ensures consistency across every integration and delivery effort.
Anticipating Challenges
One common concern is the issue of trust. Opening up your IT environment to an external partner might feel uncomfortable at first. However, with clear communication and a proven partner, this can quickly transition into a strong, symbiotic relationship that benefits your business.
Elevate Your CI/CD Pipelines with CNWR
Whether you’re looking to secure faster deployments, scale your pipelines to match your ambitions or run a more efficient IT setup, Co-Managed IT can help. It’s not a trend—it’s the future of DevOps.
At CNWR, we specialize in helping businesses like yours unlock the full potential of their IT operations. Our experts tailor solutions to suit your exact needs while ensuring secure, scalable, and high-performing CI/CD pipelines.
