Essential IT
Essential IT is a Christchurch-based managed IT services provider founded in 1999 that acts as a full outsourced IT department for small and medium businesses across New Zealand's Canterbury region, delivering cybersecurity, cloud, disaster recovery, and procurement services on fixed-price subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Essential IT does
Essential IT is a privately held managed IT services provider headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, founded in 1999 and led by founder Brent Schroeder and Managing Director Mark Schroeder. The company operates as a full outsourced IT department for small and medium businesses across the Canterbury region, with a stated service scope spanning cybersecurity and compliance, day-to-day managed support, technology planning and consultation, cloud computing and hosting, disaster recovery, and IT procurement. Its technical stack is assembled entirely from third-party platforms rather than proprietary technology: Microsoft for cloud and productivity, Kaseya (VSA, IT Glue) for IT management and documentation, Datto for backup and business continuity, WatchGuard and Huntress for network security and managed detection and response, 3CX for hosted communications, AvePoint for Microsoft 365 governance, and Cove for security and backup. Service delivery combines remote support via ScreenConnect with on-site presence in Christchurch.
The business model is anchored on fixed-price, all-in support subscriptions (marketed as 'Zero Surprises') billed monthly, supplemented by project-based technology planning work and hardware/software procurement with vendor markups. Cybersecurity services, including cyber insurance compliance assistance, are positioned as a distinct core offering and are increasingly supported by third-party MDR capabilities. The go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, using free 15-minute consultation bookings, direct phone engagement, and proximity-based local account management targeting verticals including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, and legal.
Operationally, the firm is small (1-10 employees), founder-family owned with no disclosed external institutional investment, no acquisitions, and no public funding events across its 25+ year history. Geographic reach is concentrated in Christchurch and the broader Canterbury region, with no stated international footprint. The customer base is diversified across multiple SMB verticals, though no named customer logos or case studies are publicly disclosed, and no revenue figures are available.
Essential IT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Essential IT
- Legal name
- Essential IT
- Website
- https://essentialit.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Essential IT is a Christchurch-based managed IT services provider founded in 1999 that acts as a full outsourced IT department for small and medium businesses across New Zealand's Canterbury region, delivering cybersecurity, cloud, disaster recovery, and procurement services on fixed-price subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Essential IT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed IT Services
- NAICS
- Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Managed IT Services & On‑Site Field Support (Helpdesk, Break/Fix, IMAC) (EDAEAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ITIL/ITSM Process Consulting & Implementation (BPAEAJAB), ITSM Governance, Compliance & Audit Readiness (BPAEAJAM), IT Program/Project Management (PMO) & Delivery Assurance (BPAEAAAO)
Keywords
Where Essential IT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Essential IT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Managed IT Support Services: Recurring fixed-price support plans where Essential IT acts as the client's IT department, providing day-to-day support, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting for a predictable monthly/annual fee.
- Technology Planning & Consultation: One-time and project-based consulting engagements for IT strategy, system design, and technology planning aligned with business goals.
- IT Procurement: Sourcing and procurement of hardware, software, and licensing with trusted vendor partnerships, providing revenue from markup and vendor commissions.
- Cybersecurity Services: Security solutions and compliance services including threat protection, access management, and cyber insurance alignment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | All-in Support Plans - Fixed-price IT coverage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Essential IT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Essential IT provides outsourced managed IT services for small and mid-sized businesses in Christchurch and the Canterbury region. Its core offerings include managed IT support, cybersecurity and compliance, cloud computing and hosting, disaster recovery, technology planning and consulting, and IT procurement, bundled as a single-vendor IT department replacement on fixed-price recurring contracts.
Product overview
Essential IT is a managed IT services provider offering a unified portfolio of technology services delivered as an integrated suite. The core offerings include Cybersecurity & Compliance Services, Managed IT Support (acting as the client's full IT department), Technology Planning & Consultation, Cloud Computing & Hosting (private, hybrid, and public cloud), Disaster Recovery Solutions, and IT Procurement Services. Supporting modules include User Onboarding & Offboarding Forms and Remote Support tools. The services are delivered through fixed-price support plans with vendor partnerships including Microsoft, Datto, WatchGuard, Huntress, and 3CX to provide comprehensive end-to-end technology support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Managed IT Support
Quantifiable outcome
- Elimination of provider juggling through single-vendor IT management
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Essential IT
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Essential IT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Essential IT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreTechnology partnership providing Microsoft cloud solutions, productivity software, and enterprise licensing to Essential IT clients. Microsoft logo displayed in KEY PARTNERS section.
- DattocoreDatto provides backup and disaster recovery solutions, RMM software, and business continuity tools. Essential IT leverages Datto for client disaster recovery implementations.
- WatchGuardcoreWatchGuard provides network security appliances and cybersecurity solutions. Partnership enables delivery of advanced firewall and security services to Essential IT clients.
- HuntresscoreHuntress provides managed detection and response (MDR) security platform. Partnership supports Essential IT's cybersecurity offerings with 24/7 threat monitoring.
- KaseyacoreKaseya provides IT management and security software including VSA for remote monitoring and IT Glue for documentation. Essential IT uses Kaseya tools for client management.
- 3CXcore3CX provides unified communications and VoIP phone system solutions. Partnership enables Essential IT to deliver hosted PBX and business phone services.
- CovecoreCove provides cybersecurity and backup solutions specifically designed for managed service providers. Partnership enables comprehensive security and data protection services.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Essential IT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kordia: NZ-headquartered critical comms and IT services provider offering managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud services to public-sector and enterprise customers. Comparable business model to Essential IT but at significantly larger scale and with national/government reach.
- One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone NZ): Major NZ mobile and broadband provider with a business solutions arm selling managed IT, cloud, and security services to NZ SMBs. Competes with Essential IT's SMB-focused managed-services bundle but with the backing of a national telco.
- Spark New Zealand: NZ's largest telco, with a substantial Spark Business division offering managed IT, cloud, and cybersecurity services to SMBs and mid-market clients. Competes with Essential IT for the same local managed-services accounts but as part of a much larger telecom and digital services portfolio.
- Datacom: One of New Zealand's largest IT services and managed services providers, serving SMBs through to enterprise across NZ and Australia. Significantly larger and broader in scope than Essential IT, but competes directly for the same Canterbury-region SMB managed-services contracts.
- NTT Data: Global IT services and managed services giant with a New Zealand presence through the former Dimension Data operations. Provides managed IT, cloud, and cybersecurity services at enterprise scale, representing the type of large incumbent that could enter or expand in the Canterbury SMB market against Essential IT.
Regional players
- Acora: UK-based managed IT services provider focused on mid-market SMBs with a service bundle (managed support, cyber, cloud) closely resembling Essential IT's. Operates in a different geography but exemplifies the boutique, full-stack SMB MSP archetype, making it a useful sizing and positioning comparable.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Essential IT social profiles
Digital presenceEssential IT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Essential IT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Essential IT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Essential IT 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 Essential IT
What does Essential IT do?
Essential IT provides outsourced managed IT services for small and mid-sized businesses in Christchurch and the Canterbury region. Its core offerings include managed IT support, cybersecurity and compliance, cloud computing and hosting, disaster recovery, technology planning and consulting, and IT procurement, bundled as a single-vendor IT department replacement on fixed-price recurring contracts.
Is Essential IT a public or private company?
Essential IT is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Essential IT founded?
Essential IT was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Essential IT based?
Essential IT is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Essential IT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Managed IT Support Services are the primary driver. The others are technology Planning & Consultation, IT Procurement and cybersecurity Services.
Who are Essential IT's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kordia, One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone NZ), Spark New Zealand, Datacom and NTT Data. Acora is listed as a regional player.
Does Essential IT have an API?
No public API is recorded for Essential IT.
What industry is Essential IT in?
Essential IT's product category is Managed IT Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAHAJ, Managed IT Services & On‑Site Field Support (Helpdesk, Break/Fix, IMAC), with a secondary code of BPAEAJAB, ITIL/ITSM Process Consulting & Implementation. Its NAICS code is 541513 and its SIC code is 7373.