Why Northstar IT is the Best Fully Managed IT Partner
Fully Managed is a national MSP with a presence in Calgary through its acquisition of TWT Group, serving SMBs and multi-location businesses with structured managed IT and helpdesk services. North Star is headquartered in Prince George, BC and serves a similar client size across BC, Alberta, and Yukon, with additional capabilities in custom software and digital services. Both are credible SMB-focused options; the differences come down to geography, breadth, and engagement style.
Side-by-side overview
| Dimension | North Star | Fully Managed |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | SMB to mid-market in BC, AB, and Yukon | SMBs and multi-location enterprises across Canada |
| HQ | Prince George, BC | Ottawa, ON (Calgary regional presence) |
| Founded | Founded by Keegan Martin, headquartered in Prince George | Approximately 2008 |
| Engagement style | Founder-led, direct senior access on every engagement | Structured national MSP model with tiered support and ServiceNow platform |
| Local on-site (BC / AB / YT) | On-site across BC, AB, and Yukon including remote communities | Calgary regional team; national remote support model |
Who each firm serves best
When North Star fits
- Your business is based in BC, northern Alberta, or Yukon and you want a provider with genuine on-site capability in your area
- You need managed IT, cybersecurity, and custom software or web services from a single team
- You prefer working directly with the person who designed your IT environment rather than routing through a national helpdesk queue
- You want transparent flat-rate monthly pricing without volume commitments required by a national MSP model
When Fully Managed fits
- You are a multi-location business with offices across several Canadian cities and need a provider with a consistent national delivery platform
- You require an enterprise service management platform like ServiceNow integrated into your IT operations
- Your Calgary-area operations are large enough to benefit from a dedicated local team backed by national resources
- You need a provider with experience in senior care IT or other specialised verticals where Fully Managed has built specific programmes
What both firms do well
- Both firms offer 24/7 managed IT and helpdesk support to SMB and mid-market organisations
- Both are Canadian-owned and serve the Canadian market with an understanding of Canadian compliance and operational norms
- Both provide cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, and cloud support as part of their standard managed service offering
Common questions when comparing providers
Is Fully Managed available in BC?
Fully Managed operates nationally with remote support capability across Canada. Its Alberta presence comes from the former TWT Group in Calgary. North Star provides both remote and on-site support specifically across BC, Alberta, and Yukon.
What does Fully Managed's ServiceNow platform offer?
Fully Managed uses ServiceNow as its service management backbone, which provides structured ticketing, workflow automation, and reporting. This suits larger organisations with formal ITSM requirements. North Star uses similar professional tooling scaled appropriately for SMB and mid-market clients.
Can North Star match the service breadth of a larger national MSP?
For SMBs and mid-market organisations, yes. North Star covers managed IT, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, cloud, backup, and disaster recovery. The advantage is that North Star also offers custom software, website development, and digital branding, which are outside a typical MSP's scope.
How do I know which provider is right for my size of business?
If you have 5 to 150 seats, operate primarily in Western Canada, and want a direct relationship with a focused team, North Star is a strong fit. If you have multi-location national operations or require a ServiceNow-based ITSM platform at the core of your IT programme, a national MSP may serve you better.
Want a straightforward conversation about what you actually need?
Book a 30-minute scoping call. We will walk through your environment, your geography, and your priorities to help you figure out the right fit, even if that fit is not us.
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Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to have a fully managed IT service?
A fully managed IT service means your provider takes complete responsibility for your entire technology stack. This includes routine maintenance, security patching, 24/7 helpdesk support, and strategic planning. At Northstar IT, we provide this comprehensive level of care to ensure your business in Prince George or Calgary never experiences unnecessary downtime. Our goal is to act as your internal IT department, managing everything from your Microsoft 365 environment to complex cloud migrations and network infrastructure.
How does Northstar IT handle cybersecurity for managed clients?
Cybersecurity is a core pillar of our fully managed offering. Unlike basic providers, we include advanced threat protection, EDR, and regular security awareness training. We focus on defence in depth to protect your organisation from phishing, ransomware, and other modern threats. Our team monitors your network 24/7, providing peace of mind for business owners across British Columbia and the Yukon who need to meet strict compliance standards or protect sensitive client data.
What is the cost of fully managed IT services in BC?
The cost of fully managed IT services varies based on the number of users, devices, and the complexity of your infrastructure. Northstar IT offers transparent, fixed fee pricing models that allow you to budget accurately without worrying about hidden hourly charges. By choosing a managed service provider with local expertise in BC and Alberta, you gain access to a full team of experts for a fraction of the cost of hiring a single full time IT manager.