razorblue’s guide to choosing the right IT partner

‘Many businesses initially view IT services as an overhead cost,’ he says.

‘However, technology is the number one enabler in today’s landscape. Without the right partner and investment, outages and cyberattacks can cost a business its clients, and lack of innovation can cost a business in productivity and profitability. It’s not the part of your weekly shop where you want to buy the supermarket own brand ketchup.’

‘We become an extended team for our clients, offering them access to a wealth of expertise. With over 200 skilled professionals, from cloud and infrastructure engineers to cybersecurity experts and solutions architects, our strength lies in our collective knowledge. Hiring such a diverse team in-house would be extremely expensive.’

(Image: Sarah Caldecott) For Dan, delivering managed IT services is more than just troubleshooting. It’s about pre-empting issues and guiding strategy to keep businesses running smoothly, and growing, through an open, collaborative partnership.

‘A great IT partner is an enabler of growth. It’s crucial for providers to understand their clients’ ambitions and growth plans. If your IT partner isn’t discussing innovation and business development, it may be time to find a new partner.’

As he looks to the future, Dan emphasises the need for businesses to recognise the strategic importance of IT.

‘In the next five years, organisations that view IT solely as a cost will fall behind. Those who treat it as a strategic investment will lead the market. We are already seeing this today. This is a really cliché example but name me an electric car?’

I quickly reply with the obvious, Tesla.

Dan responds: ‘Exactly, Tesla isn’t a car manufacturer, they’re primarily a software company. Their commitment to technology has made them a market leader. This shift in mindset is vital for business leaders today.’

But as technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, how does razorblue assist businesses in navigating this change?

‘Technology is difficult to keep up with,’ he admits, ‘and that’s coming from someone who is running a tech company and works with technology every minute of the day. The industry leading vendors are great at marketing their products, but many businesses don’t have the prior experience to have learned the lessons and identified the pitfalls.

‘For most businesses, trying to manage this complexity without an expert partner alongside them is a daunting task. We help companies implement new technologies and features that drive innovation – it’s not just about adopting ground-breaking, expensive advancements like AI.’

Dan believes that agility is essential in today’s dynamic market. ‘Managed IT empowers leaders to pivot swiftly in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. We ensure our clients can adjust their strategies quickly and effectively, leveraging our expertise to guide them through any turbulence.’

However, with the rise of historic telephone companies pivoting to offer bargain-basement managed IT services to try and survive, Dan warns of the potential pitfalls. ‘While it may seem appealing, delivering what’s needed can’t be done on a low budget. The wage difference between these sectors is significant and that’s driven by the much deeper level of skill, knowledge, strategic guidance and relationship management that’s needed.

‘I might even plug some competitors here, but I can confidently say that any established managed IT service provider’s services and solutions will be leaps and bounds ahead of what the telecoms market is trying to pivot to.’

(Image: Sarah Caldecott) For business leaders facing tight budgets, the challenge lies in balancing cost management with the need for investment.

‘razorblue positions managed IT not as an expense but as a strategic investment that unlocks growth opportunities,’ he says. ‘Every client is aligned to a relationship manager, and a solutions architect – both of whom have extensive technical backgrounds. We don’t adopt a pushy sales approach. Instead, we partner to to align IT with business goals.’

Yet, even with this foresight, how does razorblue address ROI concerns when finances are tight?

Dan responds: ‘We focus on the long-term value we bring to our clients. Our approach is about creating sustainable solutions that deliver returns over time. When budgets are constrained, it’s crucial to demonstrate how our services can enhance efficiency and reduce risks.’

Finally, in a world where rapid shifts are the norm, razorblue prioritises agility.

‘Our goal is to ensure that clients possess the technological flexibility to adapt quickly to market disruptions. We work closely with them to implement scalable solutions, enabling them to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

‘We don’t just manage IT, we manage growth. Technology should never be a barrier. It should be the engine driving your business forward.’

As Dan Kitchen leads razorblue into the future, his vision for managed IT as a powerful enabler of growth and innovation is one that resonates strongly in the North East and beyond.