Catalyst IT Services
Catalyst IT Services is a privately-held, founder-owned IT managed services provider founded in 2004 and based in Willowbrook, Illinois, delivering network security, low-voltage installation, surveillance, A/V, and warehouse automation to SMBs across the Chicagoland region and nationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Catalyst IT Services does
Catalyst IT Services (also doing business as Catalyst Services) is a privately-held, founder-owned IT managed services provider founded in 2004 and headquartered at 663 Executive Dr, Willowbrook, Illinois. The company operates as a full-service digital transformation provider serving small and mid-sized businesses primarily in the Chicagoland region with stated national reach. The core offering spans managed IT and network services, network security (including next-generation firewall deployment), low-voltage infrastructure installation for commercial buildings, surveillance, audio/visual integration, warehouse automation, and help desk support. Target verticals include SMB broadly, K-12 and higher education, retail, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial construction/warehouses.
The technology stack is built almost entirely on third-party vendor platforms accessed through authorized reseller agreements: Fortinet Security Fabric for NGFW and AI-integrated security services (DPI, IPS, web filtering, anti-botnet), Hikvision and Axis for surveillance, Shure for audio, Key Digital for video walls, Carbonite and IDrive for cloud backup and disaster recovery, and Malwarebytes for endpoint protection. The company does not appear to develop proprietary software; instead, value is delivered through system integration, configuration, monitoring, and ongoing managed support of these vendor stacks. Integration competencies include LAN/WAN/intranet administration, structured cabling, server room design, Zebra-based barcode workflows, and SQL database programming.
The business model blends recurring monthly managed services subscriptions (network monitoring, maintenance, help desk) with one-time revenue from hardware/peripheral sales, installation projects, and consulting engagements. Go-to-market is consultative direct sales conducted via phone, email, website inquiries, and on-site assessments, supplemented by vendor referral channels. The company is bootstrapped and founder-controlled (Jon Molfese), with no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, subsidiaries, or acquisition history. Public financial disclosures, certifications, and patent/trademark filings are absent, and customer logos are not publicly listed.
Catalyst IT Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catalyst IT Services
- Legal name
- Catalyst Services
- Website
- https://catalystservices.net/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Catalyst IT Services is a privately-held, founder-owned IT managed services provider founded in 2004 and based in Willowbrook, Illinois, delivering network security, low-voltage installation, surveillance, A/V, and warehouse automation to SMBs across the Chicagoland region and nationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catalyst IT Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Managed Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IT Program/Project Management (PMO) & Delivery Assurance (BPAEAAAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- IT Risk Management (ITRM) (HDADAIAD), IT Asset Lifecycle Services (Procure-to-Retire) (BPAEAOAF)
Keywords
Where Catalyst IT Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Catalyst IT Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- IT Managed Services and Support: Recurring monthly managed IT services including network monitoring, maintenance, security, and technical support provided to businesses on subscription basis.
- Hardware and Peripheral Sales: Sale and installation of routers, network switches, surveillance products, conference room equipment, printers, scanners, security cameras, and other peripheral devices.
- Installation Services: Low-voltage installation services for commercial buildings including pre and post construction wiring for telecommunications, Wi-Fi, surveillance, audio visual, and security infrastructure.
- Consulting Services: Consultation on IT network management, network architecture, network auditing, surveillance, new building design, and build out for audio visual and data infrastructure.
- Help Desk Services: Technical support available as part of monthly subscription or on per-use basis for system function and technical issues.
- Authorized Reseller Partnerships: Revenue through resale of vendor products including Carbonite, Fortinet, Hikvision, Axis, Shure, Key Digital, and Malwarebytes as authorized reseller.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Custom IT Managed Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Catalyst IT Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Catalyst IT Services is a full-service IT managed services and digital transformation provider based in Willowbrook, Illinois. The company sells and delivers managed IT and network services, network security (including Fortinet next-generation firewall deployment), low-voltage installation services, surveillance systems, audio/video integration, warehouse automation, cloud backup, and ongoing technical support to small and mid-sized businesses in Chicagoland and nationally. It operates as an authorized reseller for major technology vendors including Fortinet, Carbonite, Hikvision, Axis, Shure, Key Digital, and Malwarebytes.
Product overview
Catalyst IT Services is a full-service digital transformation provider offering a unified portfolio of IT managed services and support. The company operates two primary service lines—Managed IT and Network Services and Installation Services—that encompass network security, firewall management, network administration, A/V solutions, automation and control, disaster planning, system training, database programming, and help desk support. They resell and integrate third-party technology products including Fortinet security appliances, Axis and Hikvision surveillance cameras, Shure audio equipment, Key Digital video walls, Carbonite and IDrive backup solutions, and Malwarebytes antivirus software. Their services span Chicagoland and serve clients nationwide across various industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Managed IT and Network Services Provides comprehensive IT managed services including network management, architecture, monitoring, maintenance, and technical support for businesses of all sizes.
- Network Security Services
- Network and Computer Systems Administration
- Network Support Services
- Peripheral Sales and Installation
- Industry A/V Services
- Router Configuration and Firewalls
- Network Disaster Planning
- Help Desk Services
- Low Voltage Installation Services
- Surveillance Systems
- System Training
- Database Programming
Companies that use Catalyst IT Services
Customer profileSegments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Catalyst IT Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Catalyst IT Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Axis CommunicationscoreAxis is a Sweden-based organization creating network solutions for security and business performance optimization. Catalyst delivers Axis solutions including professional services for system design, installation, and configuration. Partnership has been active for 12+ years.
- Carbonite (OpenText)coreCarbonite helps protect important documents stored online from data loss. Catalyst accesses Carbonite tools, incentives, and support to offer backup services, disaster recovery, and replication capabilities to clients.
- FortinetcoreFortinet is a security-driven organization ranking #1 in most security appliances shipped worldwide, serving over 500,000 customers. Catalyst is an authorized reseller and partner integrating Fortinet firewalls alongside AI systems for secure IT managed services.
- HikvisioncoreHikvision supplies video surveillance products and vertical market solutions, reaching 155 countries. Catalyst is a proud partner and authorized reseller of Hikvision products.
- Key DigitalcoreKey Digital designs and engineers intuitive digital AV connectivity technology for audio, video, and control solutions. Catalyst partners to provide video walls for conference rooms, restaurants, warehouses, and other applications.
- ShurecoreShure creates audio products for exceptional audio experience. Catalyst partners to provide microphones, conferencing gear, headphones, and audio solutions to clients. Catalyst is an authorized Shure retailer.
- MalwarebytescoreMalwarebytes is a cross-platform anti-malware program that detects and removes malware and rogue software using proprietary technologies to break attack chains.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Catalyst IT Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ITsavvy: Illinois-headquartered IT solutions provider combining managed IT services, hardware distribution, and integration—a near-mirror of Catalyst's combination of subscription managed services and authorized-reseller/hardware resale, with overlapping Chicago-area customers.
- Dataprise: Mid-Atlantic-based managed IT and cybersecurity MSP with comparable portfolio (managed services, network management, security, help desk) targeting SMB/mid-market clients—same managed-services-plus-security model as Catalyst.
- Burwood Group: Chicago-based IT managed services and consulting firm focused on healthcare, commercial, and other regulated verticals; directly comparable in regional footprint, vertical mix, and consultative IT services delivery model.
- CompassMSP: Managed IT services provider with a multi-state footprint focused on small business and mid-market IT support; competes with Catalyst for recurring monthly managed services contracts at comparable price points.
- Ntiva: U.S. managed IT services and cybersecurity provider serving SMB and mid-market customers with a similar mix of managed IT, network security, and help desk offerings; competes with Catalyst for the same customer profile.
- Heartland Business Systems: Midwest-rooted managed IT, networking, and security provider offering managed services and infrastructure integration; comparable in size, geography, and bundled IT/security/A/V style service mix.
Broad incumbents
- SHI International: Large IT solutions provider combining software/hardware licensing, integration, and managed services; competes with Catalyst on the IT services and integration side for SMB and mid-market managed engagements.
- ePlus Technology: IT solutions and managed services company with strong networking and security practices; comparable to Catalyst in the network security and integration lane but with a much larger enterprise footprint.
- CDW Corporation: Large-scale U.S. IT solutions provider and reseller that also offers managed services through CDW's services organization; competes upstream for mid-market IT budgets and downstream for the same hardware resale lines Catalyst runs.
- Insight Enterprises: Global IT solutions and managed services provider offering hardware distribution, integration, and managed services; overlaps with Catalyst on hardware resale and managed services but at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Catalyst IT Services social profiles
Digital presenceCatalyst IT Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catalyst IT Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Catalyst IT Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catalyst IT Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Catalyst IT Services
What does Catalyst IT Services do?
Catalyst IT Services is a full-service IT managed services and digital transformation provider based in Willowbrook, Illinois. The company sells and delivers managed IT and network services, network security (including Fortinet next-generation firewall deployment), low-voltage installation services, surveillance systems, audio/video integration, warehouse automation, cloud backup, and ongoing technical support to small and mid-sized businesses in Chicagoland and nationally. It operates as an authorized reseller for major technology vendors including Fortinet, Carbonite, Hikvision, Axis, Shure, Key Digital, and Malwarebytes.
Is Catalyst IT Services a public or private company?
Catalyst IT Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Catalyst IT Services founded?
Catalyst IT Services was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Catalyst IT Services based?
Catalyst IT Services is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Catalyst IT Services make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. IT Managed Services and Support is the primary driver. The others are hardware and Peripheral Sales, installation Services, consulting Services, help Desk Services and authorized Reseller Partnerships.
Who are Catalyst IT Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ITsavvy, Dataprise, Burwood Group, CompassMSP, Ntiva and Heartland Business Systems. Broad incumbents are SHI International, ePlus Technology, CDW Corporation and Insight Enterprises.
Does Catalyst IT Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catalyst IT Services.
What industry is Catalyst IT Services in?
Catalyst IT Services's product category is IT Managed Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAAAO, IT Program/Project Management (PMO) & Delivery Assurance, with a secondary code of HDADAIAD, IT Risk Management (ITRM). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.