Nortec President and CEO Andrew Grose wasn’t thinking about providing managed IT services in 1991. Grose had always had entrepreneurial ambitions, and experience had taught him to build a business doing something he knew well. Armed with his experience selling network infrastructure and technology consulting, he founded Nortec on his own.
Grose saw the upside networking solutions could bring to an organization. Back then, half of all businesses didn’t have a network. Information was traveled back and forth on floppy disks and CDs (a practice referred to as the sneaker network). Nortec offered an alternative. But Grose never let the focus stay on the product. Nortec didn’t exist to sell a solution. Then and now, the purpose was to make it easier for our clients to do their work by taking care of their technology. It’s a principle that spans the decades and has kept Nortec’s clients evolving with the latest technological innovations.
From Floppy Disks to Clouds – 30 Years of Providing Managed IT Services
As we celebrate our 30-year anniversary, we asked Grose to reflect on the evolution of the managed IT services industry, Nortec, and make a prediction about what businesses will need from IT consultants in the next decade. Here’s what he had to say.
1991–2001: Eliminating the sneaker network
From day one, Nortec helped small businesses operate more efficiently by providing an alternative to the “Sneakernet.” We did this first through Novell NetWare and then Microsoft. At first, IT contractors provided any support clients needed. But as Microsoft began to dominate the market in the 1990s, we invested more in developing a deep knowledge base about their solutions.
Continuing education and Microsoft competencies help us serve our clients
The training opportunities we offer our employees aren’t generic. We only use programs that apply rigorous standards – like Microsoft’s competencies program. Only IT providers who demonstrate to Microsoft that they closely follow the latest releases from Microsoft, learn about the solution and apply what they’ve discovered to clients earn competencies. Over the years, Nortec has earned multiple Gold and Silver competencies in diverse solutions, including:
- Application Development
- Cloud Platform
- Cloud Productivity
- Collaboration and Content
- Communications
- Datacenter
- Messaging
- Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions
- Enterprise Mobility Management
- Windows
2001–2011: The rise of Microsoft and cloud IT consulting
This early training clued us into how to leverage the power of the cloud before our competitors figured it out. In turn, our clients became early adopters of cloud computing solutions. As our reputation as Microsoft cloud IT consulting experts spread, we were able to help more people. Alongside our small business clients, we began advising organizations with over 5,000 employees. Many of these companies wanted our assistance migrating to the cloud. By 2006 we had 30 consultants on staff.
Why Nortec is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
Deciding to become a Microsoft Partner wasn’t a product-based decision. We believed in the value the solutions could add for our clients, if correctly implemented. To prove to ourselves we had the right skillset and show businesses we were a trustworthy partner, we went for gold. Maintaining our status as a Microsoft Gold Partner means we regularly need to:
- Pass exams
- Meet performance goals
- Obtain certifications
2011–2021: Pairing cloud consulting services with comprehensive IT support
It was clear, early on, that moving to the cloud is only the first step of a larger digital journey. To boost our clients’ competitive advantage, Nortec shifted how we think about cloud solutions. Through solutions like our managed modern workplace, clients can work from anywhere with unlimited IT support and zero hassle. Through our managed cloud services, they get the power of the cloud without the headache of monitoring costs. Other all-in-one solutions, like Managed Teams, empower communications with a colleague who lives one street away or a business partner who is halfway around the world.
The Future of Managed IT Services and the Businesses We Work With
Today, the landscape is so individualized that the technology path is less clear to predict with the same broad brushstrokes as getting a network, moving to Microsoft Windows and adopting cloud technology. Many of our cloud clients need ongoing, comprehensive managed support for their technology. Other businesses want us to design Microsoft Azure solutions for their organization. What we know to be true for all businesses is this: To be successful will require a combination of IT talent and business acumen. At Nortec, our values, history and skillset make us well equipped to provide the specific managed IT services your business requires.
In 2021, Redmond named us one of the top 350 Microsoft partners in the United States
In April, we were once again included on Redmond Channel Partner’s prestigious list of the top 350 Microsoft partners in the United States. It’s a distinction we’re proud of, because the list highlights partners who are especially attuned to client needs and execute IT strategies that help businesses exceed goals, now and in the future.
Why You Can Count on Nortec for 30 More Years
Autonomy. Excellence. Purpose.
We build our team around these 3 principles, because they help our internal team fulfill personal and professional goals while powering results for our clients:
- Autonomy: We give our team the ability to make decisions, contribute to the overall purpose, work and do what they do best.
- Excellence: To reach higher levels of excellence, we encourage our team to learn more, achieve new certifications and apply what they learn to our clients.
- Purpose: Our overarching goal is to make it easier for our clients to do their work by taking care of their technology.
Turnover is practically nonexistent on the Nortec team.
You won’t be introduced to a new consultant every 6 months. When you call the help desk, you’ll consistently talk to familiar expert technicians. People who come to work for Nortec stay. There isn’t a revolving door of talent. This is rare for IT providers and brings stability to your business. Because we get to know you, you spend less time explaining who you are or what you do. We’re able to quickly match solutions to your needs and empower your workers through IT services.
Grose attributes this success to:
- Solving actual business problems
- Proactively serving and auditing clients every week
- Hiring the best
- Creating an enjoyable work environment where people want to work
- Investing in professional development
- Developing areas of expertise
- Continually deepening our knowledge base
Find a Managed Service Provider Who Wants to See You Succeed
Managed IT services are about more than monitoring cloud costs or keeping out cybercriminals. It’s about helping you achieve your business goals.
You deserve 30 years of growth and stability.
Book a consultation with one of our experts.
