Every company wants to be more agile, efficient, and scalable, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that DevOps-driven models are becoming more popular. We recently conducted managed IT services research with IDC, which found that 67% of enterprises plan to adopt DevOps-as-a-Service (DaaS) within the next 18 months. This indicates that DevOps is increasingly seen as a core strategy for modern businesses.
The data in this article, based on a recent Managed IT Services IDC research sponsored by Comarch (February 2025), offers a closer look at how organizations are embracing DevOps to meet the demands of modern IT management.
The Growing Demand for DevOps-as-a-Service
IDC’s recent study found that 32% of Western European companies already use DevOps services, while 67% plan to adopt them within the next 18 months. The reasons are clear:
- Scalability: Easily adjust IT capabilities as needed without the constraints of internal resources.
- Access to skilled professionals: No need to recruit and retain specialized DevOps talent in-house.
- Cost efficiency: Eliminate the overhead of maintaining an internal DevOps team and infrastructure.
- Automation: Streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency through automated tools.
- Enhanced security: Benefit from professional monitoring and up-to-date security practices.
- Faster delivery: Accelerate software delivery cycles through continuous integration and deployment.
But why is it happening?
Organizations need faster software deployment cycles and integration across complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Cost reduction is also a major incentive, as predictable pricing models help businesses manage IT expenses more effectively. Additionally, outsourcing IT operations mitigates risks by providing access to specialized security and compliance expertise.
The ongoing global tech talent shortage is another important reason for that switch. Hiring and retaining in-house DevOps professionals has become increasingly difficult, with 41.3% of Western European companies citing staffing challenges as a key reason for outsourcing IT services. DevOps solutions can bridge this skills gap, ensuring reliable and scalable IT operations without the burden of internal hiring constraints.
The Business Impact of DevOps in Managed IT Services
DevOps-as-a-Service offers businesses tangible benefits, especially in terms of efficiency and cost savings. Enterprises can access predictable pricing models and optimize resource allocation, which reduces the need for heavy infrastructure investments. With this flexibility, they can scale their IT bandwidth quickly and adapt to market changes, seasonal fluctuations, or growth opportunities—something difficult to achieve with an internal IT department constrained by limited resources.
Security and compliance also become more manageable with DevOps. 31% of enterprises have already adopted managed security services, and 69% plan to do so in the near future. However, compliance concerns remain a challenge for 36.8% of companies when working with managed IT providers. DevSecOps integrates security into the development process from the outset, mitigating risks before they arise.
DevOps also enables enterprises to scale IT on-demand, eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks and supporting continuous innovation without disrupting daily operations.
How Organizations Should Approach DevOps in Managed IT Services
1. Choosing the Right Model: Co-Sourcing vs. Fully Managed DevOps Services
Co-sourcing, which involves collaboration between an external vendor and the internal IT team, is increasingly popular. According to our data, 34.1% of companies currently use this approach, and almost half of them plan to adopt it within the next 18 months. A hybrid approach allows businesses to balance internal control with external support.
In contrast, fully managed services are less common, with only 7.6% of companies currently using them and 14.1% planning to adopt them.
2. Importance of SLAs
Clear and comprehensive SLAs are essential to align business objectives with IT operations. 86% of organizations consider a well-defined SLA as “very important” or “extremely important” when selecting a DevOps provider.
3. The Role of Automation & AI in DevOps
A lot of companies now expect AI and ML to be integrated into managed IT services. Innovations such as AI-driven observability and predictive analytics allow businesses to proactively address IT issues before they escalate. Moreover, automation enhances Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and CI/CD pipelines, improving efficiency and reducing the likelihood of errors.
4. Ensuring Cultural Fit and Seamless Integration
Cultural alignment between the provider’s services and the organization’s internal workflow cannot be understated. Common obstacles include communication barriers, time zone differences, and integration issues, with 27% of organizations citing these as significant challenges when working with managed IT service providers.
Conclusion & Recommendations
DevOps-as-a-Service is clearly becoming the future of IT management. Companies that adopt this model now can enhance efficiency, scale operations, and drive innovation.
A solid partner with a proven track record is fundamental here. It’s essential to select a DevOps provider with deep expertise in hybrid IT environments, automation, and security. The right partner will not only deliver the technical capabilities needed for success but also help businesses adapt to evolving demands while ensuring long-term sustainability.
With over 30 years of experience as a global IT outsourcing provider, Comarch delivers customized solutions to address the challenges your business faces — especially those outsourcing can resolve. We understand the IT needs of businesses and offer a wide range of services, including infrastructure management, digital transformation, and cloud solutions, all tailored to your specific requirements.
This is a contribution by Mariusz Krzyżak DevOps Director / Cloud Solutions Architect at Comarch. The editors are not responsible for the content. Check here for more information about the company.