IT Matters
IT Matters (ESW IT Business Advisors) is a Calgary-based IT consulting and managed services firm founded in 2001, delivering advisory, cloud, managed IT, print, cybersecurity, and field support services to mid-market and enterprise clients across Canada and the US, built on Microsoft, HP, and AWS technologies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IT Matters does
IT Matters, operating commercially as ESW IT Business Advisors, is a privately held Canadian IT consulting and managed services firm headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 2001 by Rob Hay, Stuart Crawford, and Tony Mah, the firm employs 51-100 people and delivers technology advisory, implementation, and operational support services to mid-market and enterprise clients across Canada and the United States. Its core offerings are organized across three practices: Digital Business Transformation (Business IT Consulting, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace, Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementations), Operational IT Management (Managed IT Services, Managed Print Services, Field Support), and IT Security Management (security assessments, implementation, and incident response).
The company does not develop proprietary technology platforms; its service delivery is built on third-party enterprise stacks from strategic partners including Microsoft, HP, and AWS. Notably, ESW holds dedicated product practices for Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and HP print technologies (including the Gemstone 800/700 device series), and has extended into AWS cloud migration and optimization. A subsidiary, O'Neill Technologies (OTI/ONTI), was recently acquired to broaden technical capabilities. Service delivery is augmented by a remote management facility and onsite technicians, supporting a blended remote-and-field support model across Canada and the US.
Revenue mechanics follow a professional services and managed services hybrid: project-based or retainer consulting engagements for advisory work, recurring managed service provider (MSP) contracts for ongoing IT operations, and managed print contracts that include hardware, supplies, and maintenance. Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, centered on a "Book a Call" CTA and relationship-based engagement with named enterprise clients such as Elevate Tickets. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, consistent with a custom-quote services model. The firm is independently owned with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds.
IT Matters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IT Matters
- Legal name
- ESW
- Website
- https://itmatters.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- IT Matters (ESW IT Business Advisors) is a Calgary-based IT consulting and managed services firm founded in 2001, delivering advisory, cloud, managed IT, print, cybersecurity, and field support services to mid-market and enterprise clients across Canada and the US, built on Microsoft, HP, and AWS technologies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IT Matters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed IT Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Management Consulting Services (54161), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize) (BPAEAJAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB), ITIL/ITSM Process Consulting & Implementation (BPAEAJAB), Application Maintenance & Support (AMS) (BPAEAFAC)
Keywords
Where IT Matters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
IT Matters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- IT Consulting and Advisory Services: Strategic consulting engagements focused on digital business transformation, IT strategy planning, and technology decision support. These are likely project-based or retainer engagements.
- Managed IT Services: Ongoing IT operations management including troubleshooting, maintenance, and support. This represents recurring revenue from managed service provider (MSP) relationships with clients.
- Managed Print Services: Print fleet management services with HP technology, providing ongoing maintenance and supplies management for client print infrastructure.
- IT Security Management Services: Cybersecurity advisory and incident response services including security assessments, implementation, and ongoing security maintenance.
- Field Support Services: On-site technical support and field services across Canada and US for implementation and maintenance.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
IT Matters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IT Matters (operating as ESW IT Business Advisors) is an IT consulting and managed services provider delivering strategic IT advisory, cloud migration and optimization, Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace and Dynamics 365 implementation, ongoing managed IT services, managed print services, on-site field support across Canada and the US, and cybersecurity management to mid-market and enterprise clients.
Product overview
ESW IT Business Advisors is an IT consulting firm offering a portfolio of professional services organized around Digital Business Transformation and Operational IT Management. The core offerings include Business Technology Consulting, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 for digital transformation; Managed IT Services, Managed Print Services, and Field Support Services for ongoing operations; and IT Security Management for cybersecurity. The firm operates as a services-based MSP (Managed Service Provider) rather than a software product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Business Technology Consulting Strategic IT advisory service helping businesses plan technology investments in infrastructure, applications, system integration, and data services.
- Cloud Solutions Cloud migration and optimization services enabling businesses to transition to or improve their cloud infrastructure, delivered in partnership with AWS.
- Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace Modern workplace solutions implementing Microsoft 365 technologies to improve business technology, collaboration, and user productivity.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management implementation and advisory services powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- Managed IT Services Ongoing IT operations support providing troubleshooting, maintenance, and management delivered through a managed service provider (MSP) model.
- Managed Print Services Print fleet management service maintaining client print infrastructure including HP Gemstone 800/700 series devices, with ongoing maintenance and supplies management.
- Field Support Services On-site technical support providing in-person assistance across Canada and the United States for implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
- IT Security Management Cybersecurity solutions offering threat prediction, prevention, detection, and response including security assessments, best-practice cybersecurity implementation, and ongoing advisory and incident response services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Elevate Tickets: Served 500+ festivals and sold 13+ million tickets through secure payment solution
Companies that use IT Matters
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
IT Matters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IT Matters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreESW is a Microsoft partner offering Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and related Microsoft solutions. The company has dedicated product pages for Microsoft technologies and likely holds Microsoft partnership certifications.
- HPcoreESW is an HP partner offering HP hardware and Managed Print Services. The partnership includes access to HP's print technology portfolio including Gemstone 800/700 series devices.
- AWScoreESW is an AWS partner offering cloud solutions including cloud migration and optimization services. AWS is presented as a core technology product offering on the ESW website.
- O'Neill Technologies (ONTI)coreESW acquired O'Neill Technologies (OTI), expanding its capabilities and market presence. The acquisition is referenced as 'Newly Acquired OTI' on the website, indicating strategic integration of OTI's technology expertise into ESW's service portfolio.
Scale indicators3 records
IT Matters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Long View Systems: Calgary-headquartered Canadian IT solutions and managed services firm with a comparable Microsoft-centric services portfolio spanning cloud, modern workplace, managed IT, and security. Closest geographic and portfolio overlap with IT Matters / ESW.
- Softchoice: North American IT solutions provider focused on Microsoft, cloud, and managed services for mid-market and enterprise clients. Directly comparable in vendor alignment (Microsoft/HP/AWS) and consultative GTM motion.
- Compugen: Canadian IT solutions and services company delivering cloud, managed services, and workplace solutions across Canada. Comparable in service mix (managed IT, cloud, security, advisory) and Canadian mid-market focus.
- Converge Technology Solutions: Canadian-headquartered IT solutions provider with strong Microsoft, cloud, and managed services practices, built significantly through M&A. Comparable portfolio breadth and similar vendor-centric services model.
Broad incumbents
- CDW: Large US-headquartered IT solutions and services provider with deep Microsoft, HP, and cloud practices. Operates at much larger scale across the same core vendor stack and services categories.
- Insight Enterprises: Global IT solutions and services provider offering managed services, cloud, and advisory across Microsoft, AWS, and HP ecosystems. Comparable services portfolio, larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- SHI International: Large IT solutions and services provider combining hardware/software distribution with managed and professional services. Overlaps on Microsoft, cloud, and managed services practices.
- Rackspace Technology: Pure-play managed cloud and IT services firm covering AWS, Microsoft Azure, and multi-cloud environments. Comparable managed services and cloud transformation offering, with significantly larger global scale.
- Kyndryl: Global enterprise managed infrastructure and IT services provider. Adjacent in managed IT services and IT operations but operating at much larger enterprise scale than IT Matters / ESW.
Others
- Datto (Kaseya): Provider of MSP-focused software platforms (RMM, PSA, backup) used by managed service providers. Enables MSPs like IT Matters / ESW to run managed services operations rather than competing directly.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IT Matters social profiles
Digital presenceIT Matters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IT Matters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
IT Matters subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
IT Matters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IT Matters 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 IT Matters
What does IT Matters do?
IT Matters (operating as ESW IT Business Advisors) is an IT consulting and managed services provider delivering strategic IT advisory, cloud migration and optimization, Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace and Dynamics 365 implementation, ongoing managed IT services, managed print services, on-site field support across Canada and the US, and cybersecurity management to mid-market and enterprise clients.
Is IT Matters a public or private company?
IT Matters is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IT Matters founded?
IT Matters was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is IT Matters based?
IT Matters is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does IT Matters make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. IT Consulting and Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are managed IT Services, managed Print Services, IT Security Management Services and field Support Services.
Who are IT Matters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Long View Systems, Softchoice, Compugen and Converge Technology Solutions. Broad incumbents are CDW, Insight Enterprises, SHI International, Rackspace Technology and Kyndryl. Datto (Kaseya) is listed as an others.
Does IT Matters have an API?
No public API is recorded for IT Matters.
What industry is IT Matters in?
IT Matters's product category is Managed IT Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAJAN, ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize), with a secondary code of BPAHAEAB, Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.