The Computer Store

What The Computer Store does

The Computer Store is a privately held, single-location IT retailer and managed services provider headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, founded in 1983 by Troy Spengler. The company serves both individual consumers and local/regional businesses across Northwest North Dakota, delivering a full spectrum of technology products and services: retail sales of national-brand hardware (Apple, HP, Lenovo, Intel, ASUS, MSI, Samsung, NVIDIA), custom computer builds with a three-year carry-in warranty, in-store and on-site computer repair, network and server design and installation, video surveillance and access control systems, cloud services (Microsoft 365, KeepItSafe offsite backup), and Lexmark/HP printer and copier solutions.

The business operates through a physical retail storefront at 1100 South Broadway in Minot, supplemented by on-site service and remote support delivered over the Internet. Service delivery is consultative, with knowledgeable staff helping customers select systems matched to their needs and budget. The technology stack is composed of authorized partnerships with major vendors: factory-trained warranty service for HP and Apple, authorized warranty for Intel, Lenovo, and Lexmark, and reseller/integrator relationships with Extreme Networks, SonicWALL, Barracuda, Ruckus, Avigilon, Samsung/Hanwha, Keyscan, Microsoft, and KeepItSafe.

Revenue is generated through five streams: hardware resale, professional services and warranty repair, managed services (network infrastructure and security systems), and recurring cloud subscriptions (Microsoft 365 Business, KeepItSafe backup). Pricing is uniformly quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a minimum half-hour diagnostic charge on service work and free local delivery on printer supplies in Minot. The company employs 35 people and operates with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or external equity partners.

Name

The Computer Store

Legal name

The Computer Store

Website

https://tcsnd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Computer Store is a privately held IT retailer and managed services provider founded in 1983 in Minot, North Dakota, serving consumers and businesses across Northwest North Dakota with custom computer builds, repair, networking, security, cloud, and printer services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer Retail and IT Services

NAICS

Electronics and Appliance Retailers (44921)

SIC

Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRACABAA

Computers & Laptops Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Computer, Tablet & Peripheral Retail

SECONDARYCRACABAI

PC Gaming Computers & Peripherals Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Computer, Tablet & Peripheral Retail

SECONDARYCRACABAD

PC Components & Upgrades Retail (CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, Motherboards)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Computer, Tablet & Peripheral Retail

SECONDARYCRACABAC

Computer Peripherals Retail (Keyboards, Mice, Webcams, Printers)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Computer, Tablet & Peripheral Retail

Keywords

• Computer repair services
• Custom computer builds
• Network infrastructure
• Security systems installation
• Managed IT services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minot

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Retail sales of computers, laptops, printers, networking equipment, and accessories from leading manufacturers including Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung, ASUS, MSI, Lenovo, HP, and others. Custom-built computers with three-year warranty.
2. Technology Services: Computer repair and service delivered in-store, on-site, and remotely. Authorized warranty service for Intel and Lenovo, factory-trained service for HP and Apple. Minimum diagnostic charge of one-half hour.
3. Cloud Services: Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions and KeepItSafe offsite backup services. Enables team productivity and data protection.
4. Network Infrastructure: Design, installation and maintenance of networks, servers, firewalls, and wireless systems for businesses.
5. Security Systems: Video surveillance, access control, and smart building system installation and maintenance for commercial environments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Computer Store sells custom-built computers and related hardware through a retail storefront, and provides computer repair, network infrastructure design and installation, security systems, cloud services, and printer/copier solutions. Offerings are delivered to both individual consumers and business customers in northwest North Dakota by approximately 35 factory-trained technical staff.

Product overview

The Computer Store is a local IT solutions company serving Northwest North Dakota since 1983, operating as a single-location retail and services business with 35 employees. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of technology products and services including custom computer building (PC towers, small form PCs, gaming computers), computer repair services, retail sales of national brand hardware (Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung, ASUS, MSI, Lenovo), security infrastructure solutions (video surveillance, access control), network and server solutions, cloud services (Microsoft 365 Business, KeepItSafe backup), and printer/copier solutions. The core offerings center on the retail store for hardware and accessories, custom computer builds as a differentiated service, and complementary managed IT services spanning security, networking, cloud, and printing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Computer Builds Bespoke, custom-assembled desktop and computer systems configured to customer specifications for personal, gaming, and business use, sold through the Minot retail storefront.
• Computer Repair Services Diagnostic, repair, and break-fix services for personal and business computers, performed by factory-trained technicians at the Minot store and on-site.
• Network and Servers Design, installation, and support of business network and server infrastructure for small and mid-sized businesses in northwest North Dakota.
• Security Infrastructure Design, installation, and support of physical and IT security systems for business customers, including surveillance, access control, and related security hardware.
• Cloud Services Cloud-based productivity, storage, and backup services, including Microsoft 365 and third-party cloud backup solutions, delivered to consumer and business customers.
• Printers and Copiers Sale, setup, and support of printers and copiers for home and business customers.
• Retail Computer Store Walk-in retail store in Minot, North Dakota selling computer hardware, accessories, and related technology products to consumer and small-business customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three-year carry-in warranty on custom-built TCS systems (parts and labor)

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft 365 Business partner offering productivity programs including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Yammer, and OneNote to enable team productivity and remote work capabilities.
• KeepItSafecoreTechnology or IntegrationOffsite backup service partner providing ransomware and malware protection through KeepItSafe backup solutions, insuring availability of critical data in event of local disaster or hardware failure.
• AvigiloncoreTechnology or IntegrationVideo surveillance partner representing Avigilon for commercial video surveillance solutions with full DVR recording capabilities.
• Samsung (Hanwha)coreTechnology or IntegrationVideo surveillance partner representing Samsung/Hanwha for commercial security camera systems.
• KeyscancoreTechnology or IntegrationAccess control systems partner providing keyless entry and building access control solutions.
• LexmarkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized Lexmark dealer and warranty service provider. Offers work group networked multifunction high volume laser systems for color and black-only printing, with applications for medical, government, and manufacturing environments.
• HPcoreTechnology or IntegrationRepresents HP for inkjet systems for lower volume applications and provides supplies for HP systems. Factory-trained on HP products.
• IntelcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized Intel warranty service provider and product reseller featuring Intel and HP Servers.
• LenovocoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized Lenovo warranty service provider and product reseller featuring Lenovo laptops formerly IBM.
• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationApple product reseller with factory-trained technicians on Apple products for service and support.
• Extreme NetworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationNetwork switching equipment partner for enterprise network infrastructure solutions.
• SonicWALLcoreTechnology or IntegrationFirewall security solutions partner for network security, firewall, and remote access implementations.
• BarracudacoreTechnology or IntegrationFirewall and network security solutions partner complementing SonicWALL offerings.
• RuckuscoreTechnology or IntegrationWireless networking solutions partner for enterprise WiFi implementations.
• HP ServerscoreTechnology or IntegrationServer hardware partner featuring HP Servers alongside Intel for data storage and server solutions.
• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure platform used as foundation for Microsoft 365 Business services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• SHI International: Large IT solutions provider offering hardware procurement, networking, cloud, and managed services. Comparable to TCS's enterprise offerings (servers, networking, cloud) but serving enterprise and large-mid market nationally.
• Insight Enterprises: Global IT solutions and services company providing hardware, software, and managed services to businesses. Mirrors TCS's IT solutions, networking, and services portfolio for the enterprise segment at much larger scale.
• Connection (PC Connection): Enterprise IT solutions provider reselling computers, networking, printers, and offering managed services. Comparable to TCS's B2B IT solutions business, with similar vendor partners and a services overlay.
• CDW: Large-scale B2B IT solutions provider reselling hardware, networking, and security infrastructure from the same vendor set (HP, Lenovo, Cisco/SonicWALL equivalents, Microsoft). Comparable to TCS's business/enterprise segment but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Best Buy (with Geek Squad): National big-box consumer electronics retailer that, through Geek Squad, also offers repair, installation, and home/business technology services. Directly comparable to TCS's retail + service model at national scale.

Direct peers

• Micro Center: National computer retail chain offering custom-built PCs, in-store expertise, and repair services. The closest direct analog to TCS at scale, with the same core model of retail hardware + custom builds + service, but operating multi-store nationwide.
• Black Box Corporation: Network and communications infrastructure integrator offering design, installation, and maintenance of enterprise networks — closely paralleling TCS's network + servers and security infrastructure services line.

Emerging players

• iBuyPower: Custom gaming and high-performance PC builder. Directly comparable to TCS's custom PC tower and gaming build capability, with the difference of being a national online-only specialist.
• CyberPowerPC: Specialty custom gaming PC builder and systems integrator. Comparable to TCS's custom gaming computer building offering, though operating as a direct-to-consumer online specialist rather than a local retail/service model.

Regional players

• NEXT IT (regional IT services peers): Numerous small regional IT services and computer retail firms across the US (e.g., local "Computer Store"/"Tech Shop" branded MSPs) compete in similar local markets with the same business model mix of retail, repair, networking, and managed services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Computer Store