Cerulean
Cerulean Solutions Ltd is a UK-based IT services and support company, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Barnet, Hertfordshire, delivering managed IT services, Microsoft-based hosting, and bespoke application development to small and medium-sized businesses across London and South East England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersPotters Bar, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cerulean does
Cerulean Solutions Ltd is a UK-based IT services and support provider founded in 1999 and headquartered in Barnet, Hertfordshire, serving small and medium-sized businesses across London and South East England. The company operates a one-stop-shop model spanning IT support contracts, managed services, IT solutions (broadband, leased lines, phone systems, virtualisation, data security, office moves), hosting solutions, and application development, with customers able to procure either fully outsourced IT or supplemental support to internal teams.
The technical architecture is anchored to Microsoft infrastructure, including Microsoft Dynamics NAV (ERP), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Office 365, and Windows Azure, supplemented by virtualisation technologies from VMware and Citrix. Cerulean has developed four proprietary hosted products — DocVault (enterprise file sharing with HIPAA compliance and 256-bit encryption), MailVault (email archiving), SpamVault (email filtering), and DataVault (online backup) — built on top of this Microsoft foundation. The firm maintains a broad vendor credential stack across Microsoft (Gold/Silver Competency Partner, Midmarket Solution Provider), VMware Professional Service Provider, Citrix Silver Solution Advisor, Cisco, Sophos, Veeam, Veritas, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and is ISO 9001:2015 certified by BSI.
The revenue model blends recurring managed-service and hosting contracts (IT support, Office 365, Azure, hosted desktops/servers, leased lines), project-based professional services (Dynamics NAV/CRM implementations, e-commerce builds on Magento/Prestashop, custom application development), and usage-based billing (pay-as-you-go support and fixed time blocks of 5/10/15 hours). Go-to-market combines direct field sales for enterprise accounts, telephone-based inside sales, website quote requests, and customer referrals. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to individual requirements, with 30-day notice periods and no long-term tie-ins. Disclosed outcomes include a 98% client recommendation rate (2015 survey) and 10+ year client tenures.
Cerulean firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cerulean
- Legal name
- Cerulean Solutions Ltd
- Website
- https://cerulean.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cerulean Solutions Ltd is a UK-based IT services and support company, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Barnet, Hertfordshire, delivering managed IT services, Microsoft-based hosting, and bespoke application development to small and medium-sized businesses across London and South East England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cerulean industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed IT Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data Security & Privacy Managed Services (DLP/Encryption) (BPAEADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Network Performance Management & Observability Services (BPAEAEAH)
Keywords
Where Cerulean is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Potters Bar
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cerulean business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- IT Support Contracts: Monthly recurring revenue from IT support contracts offering unlimited support with SLA, including telephone support, network management, remote access support, preventive maintenance, and onsite support.
- Managed Services: Long-term managed IT services contracts covering IT network monitoring, daily backups, data storage, updates and patches, user management, network monitoring, equipment monitoring, and asset management.
- Application Development: Custom software development, e-commerce development, and application solutions including Microsoft Dynamics NAV and CRM implementations, billed through project-based professional services.
- Hosting Solutions: Recurring revenue from hosted services including Office 365, Windows Azure, hosted desktops, hosted servers, web hosting, email solutions, and backup services.
- Connectivity Services: Leased lines, broadband (ADSL, FTTC, EFM), and phone systems providing recurring connectivity revenue with optional SLA.
- Time Block Purchases: Fixed-fee time blocks (5, 10, or 15 hours) with SLA for businesses with limited IT support needs.
- Pay As You Go: Hourly billing for one-off IT support assistance with no minimum fee or contract.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Pay Monthly - Unlimited IT support with SLA |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pay by Time Blocks - Fixed fee for time blocks with SLA |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pay As You Go - No contract with hourly rate |
| Subscription | Monthly | Leased Lines - Dedicated high-speed connection |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Cerulean product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cerulean provides managed IT support, IT infrastructure, and bespoke application services to small and medium-sized businesses across London and South East England. Its core offerings include IT support contracts (monthly unlimited, time-block, and pay-as-you-go models), managed IT services (monitoring, backups, patches, user management), cloud and hosting solutions (Office 365, Azure, hosted desktops/servers, web hosting, DocVault, MailVault, SpamVault, DataVault), connectivity (leased lines, broadband, phone systems), and application development (Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Dynamics CRM, e-commerce builds, custom software).
Product overview
Cerulean Solutions Ltd is an IT services and support company offering a portfolio of managed IT services, IT solutions, hosting/cloud solutions, and application development. The core offering centres on IT support contracts and managed services (covering monitoring, backups, patches, and user management), supplemented by a suite of IT solutions (hardware upgrades, data security, virtualisation, broadband, leased lines, phone systems, and office moves). The company's hosted solutions layer — branded DocVault (file sharing), MailVault (email archiving), SpamVault (email filtering), and DataVault (online backup) — complements Microsoft cloud partnerships (Office 365 and Windows Azure). Application solutions include Microsoft Dynamics NAV (ERP) and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, alongside bespoke e-commerce development (Magento, Prestashop) and custom application development. The overall architecture is a platform-plus-modules model where managed services and hosted branded tools form the recurring service core, while application development and Microsoft business software represent specialised vertical offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IT Support Services Comprehensive IT support for small and medium businesses covering telephone support, network management, remote access support, preventive maintenance, onsite support, and system monitoring.
- IT Support Contracts Flexible IT support contracts offered in three models: Pay Monthly (30-day term, unlimited support with SLA), Pay by Time Blocks (blocks of 5, 10, or 15 hours with SLA), and Pay As You Go (fixed hourly rate, no minimum contract).
- Managed Services Managed IT support delivered through a service level agreement covering IT network monitoring, daily backups, data storage, updates and patches, user management, network monitoring, equipment monitoring, and asset management.
- Data Security Solutions Comprehensive data and network security services including patch management, data encryption, cloud security, intrusion prevention, content filtering, threat monitoring, access controls, PCI-DSS compliance, security audits and testing, and data backup and recovery.
- Leased Lines High-speed dedicated leased line connections for internet use or linking offices, with speeds available up to 10GB, guaranteed uptime backed by SLA, starting from approximately £300 per month with free installation.
- Broadband Business internet connectivity solutions including ADSL, Fibre (FTTC/FTTP), and Ethernet First Mile (EFM), with tailored packages, backup internet access, service level agreements, and expert support.
- Phone Systems Fully integrated phone systems using PBX technology with unified communications (fax, voicemail, instant messaging), softphone capability for Windows and Mac, and options for cloud-based or on-premise solutions.
- Office Moves IT infrastructure support for office relocations, mergers, and acquisitions, covering project management, logistics planning, server and system moving, reconfiguration, and full testing at the new location.
- Office 365 Cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite delivered as a managed service, integrating Exchange (email), Skype (communication), and SharePoint (document management) with 99.9% uptime guarantee and support for remote access from any device.
- Windows Azure Microsoft Azure cloud platform services including seamless migration from existing systems, workload transfer management for peak performance, and data management for regulatory compliance.
- DocVault (Enterprise File Sharing) Enterprise file sharing and collaboration platform that integrates with Microsoft Windows Server file systems and Active Directory. Features include remote access from any device, real-time document protection with versioning, 256-bit encryption, HIPAA compliance, selective sync, unlimited file size, file locking, and continuous automatic file backup.
- MailVault (Email Archiving) Cloud-based email archiving solution that provides email compliance, discovery, and storage management. Features secure access, flexible integration with Office 365 or standalone use, and email continuity to eliminate downtime risk during system outages.
- SpamVault (Email Filtering) Email filtering and security service blocking spam, malware, viruses, and other threats before they reach the mailbox. Features easy configuration, anti-spam and anti-malware monitoring, content controls, and multi-level administrative permissions.
- DataVault (Online Backup) Secure online backup and data protection service that takes two copies of business data stored in two separate locations. Uses 128-bit SSL encryption, daily scheduled backups, fully managed service from setup through maintenance, and online file restore capability.
- Hosted Desktops Cloud-hosted desktop solution allowing users to access software and data over the internet from any location with an internet connection. Features pay-as-you-go pricing covering backups, maintenance, management, and upgrades.
- Hosted Servers Off-site hosted server solutions reducing IT spending and energy costs. Includes server monitoring for maximum uptime, regular security audits, firewall configuration, spam and virus scanning, data backup and protection, with scalable options for memory, disk space, and CPU upgrades.
- Web Hosting Business web hosting with maximum reliability and uptime, constant security monitoring, and tailored hosting plans built around the client's business requirements rather than restrictive package tiers.
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for coordinating finance, supply chain, manufacturing, sales, and project management. Features real-time reports and analytics, multi-currency management, and built-in language capabilities for international trading.
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Customer Relationship Management software that integrates with Microsoft Outlook to track communications with customers and prospects. Features sales management, automated marketing, customer service tools, and reporting with business intelligence capabilities.
- E-commerce Development Bespoke e-commerce website development including responsive design, SEO optimisation, and payment gateway integration (PayPal, WorldPay). Solutions include integration with accounting systems and ERP platforms, with delivered stores built on Magento and Prestashop frameworks.
- Application Development Custom software and mobile application development with an in-house team following a four-step process: requirements gathering, specification and evaluation, development and implementation, and ongoing support. Covers mobile apps, custom websites, complex database systems, and software modifications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% client recommendation rate
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cerulean
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cerulean technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
Feature6 records
Cerulean partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft Gold/Silver Competency Partner and Microsoft Midmarket Solution Provider. Provides expertise in Microsoft products including Dynamics NAV, Dynamics CRM, Office 365, and Windows Azure with close partnership and support for data management and software development.
- VMwarecoreVMware Partner Professional Service Provider recognised as a provider delivering expert advice and support for VMware virtualisation solutions.
- CitrixcoreCitrix Partner Silver Solution Advisor with certification proving expertise in delivering successful Citrix solutions including hosted desktop services, networking optimisation, and virtualisation solutions.
- DellminorDell Partner Direct Registered providing Dell equipment including PCs, servers, storage, security, cloud services, and systems management with ongoing IT support.
- HP (Hewlett-Packard)minorHP Business Partner demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality solutions built on HP's software with expertise in planning, deployment, maintenance, and IT support.
- LenovominorLenovo Business Partner providing enterprise IT solutions and access to innovative resources for business growth.
- VeeamcoreVeeam Pro Partner providing complete Veeam solutions for storage and data management with backup and replication tools for virtual environments.
- CiscocoreCisco Partner, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, with access to world-class Cisco products, service packages, productivity tools, training, technical support, and sales promotions.
- SophoscoreSophos Partner, a world leader in IT security and data protection, providing the full range of Sophos products and solutions for secure and safe IT management.
- NetgearminorNetgear Solution Partner with knowledge to advise, supply, and install networking, storage, and security solutions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cerulean competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Six Degrees Group: Six Degrees is a UK managed cloud and connectivity provider offering hosting, managed services, and unified communications to mid-market customers. Comparable to Cerulean in hosting, connectivity, and managed services bundle aimed at SMBs.
- Netstar (UK): Netstar is a London-based IT support and managed services provider focused on SMBs with Microsoft-based solutions. Closely comparable to Cerulean in geographic focus, customer segment, and Microsoft-centric managed services model.
- ANS Group: ANS Group is a UK managed services provider offering cloud, managed IT, and Microsoft-centric services to SMB and mid-market customers. Closest direct peer to Cerulean in business model, Microsoft focus, and target segment, with a comparable mix of managed services and cloud hosting.
- Acora Group: Acora is a UK-based managed IT services and cloud provider focused on mid-market customers, offering IT support, hosting, and security services. Directly comparable to Cerulean in managed services model, SMB/mid-market focus, and recurring revenue approach.
Broad incumbents
- Softcat plc: Softcat is a UK-headquartered IT reseller and managed services provider focused on SMB and mid-market customers, offering IT support, licensing, cloud, and infrastructure services. Direct comparable to Cerulean in target market and Microsoft-centric stack, but operates at materially larger scale and as a public company.
- Bytes Technology Group plc: Bytes is a UK IT solutions provider focused on SMB and mid-market customers, with strong Microsoft, VMware, and security partnerships. Comparable to Cerulean in target customer and vendor stack, though larger and publicly listed.
- Trustmarque Solutions Ltd: Trustmarque is a UK IT solutions and managed services provider serving mid-market and public sector customers with Microsoft, cloud, and infrastructure offerings. Comparable to Cerulean in customer profile and Microsoft-driven managed services delivery.
- Computacenter plc: Computacenter is a UK-headquartered, European-wide provider of managed IT services, workplace, data center, and enterprise applications. Directly comparable to Cerulean in IT support, managed services, and Microsoft solutions delivery, but at enterprise scale and publicly listed.
- Bechtle AG: Bechtle is a European IT solutions and managed services provider with strong UK presence offering IT support, cloud, and enterprise software. Comparable to Cerulean in Microsoft-centric IT support and SMB/mid-market customer focus, but operating at substantially larger scale.
Regional players
- Ricability/Tekkies-type local MSPs: Numerous small London/Home Counties IT support firms (e.g., ATG, Netstar, SysFix, Datacentreplus) compete with Cerulean for the same SMB IT support market. They are directly comparable in scale, geographic focus, and Microsoft/managed services mix, representing the local competitive set Cerulean faces daily.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cerulean social profiles
Digital presenceCerulean compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Cerulean financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cerulean leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cerulean funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cerulean 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 Cerulean
What does Cerulean do?
Cerulean provides managed IT support, IT infrastructure, and bespoke application services to small and medium-sized businesses across London and South East England. Its core offerings include IT support contracts (monthly unlimited, time-block, and pay-as-you-go models), managed IT services (monitoring, backups, patches, user management), cloud and hosting solutions (Office 365, Azure, hosted desktops/servers, web hosting, DocVault, MailVault, SpamVault, DataVault), connectivity (leased lines, broadband, phone systems), and application development (Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Dynamics CRM, e-commerce builds, custom software).
Is Cerulean a public or private company?
Cerulean is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cerulean founded?
Cerulean was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cerulean based?
Cerulean is headquartered in Potters Bar, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Cerulean make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. IT Support Contracts are the primary driver. The others are managed Services, application Development, hosting Solutions, connectivity Services, time Block Purchases and pay As You Go.
Who are Cerulean's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Six Degrees Group, Netstar (UK), ANS Group and Acora Group. Broad incumbents are Softcat plc, Bytes Technology Group plc, Trustmarque Solutions Ltd, Computacenter plc and Bechtle AG. Ricability/Tekkies-type local MSPs is listed as a regional player.
Does Cerulean have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cerulean.
What industry is Cerulean in?
Cerulean's product category is Managed IT Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEADAL, Data Security & Privacy Managed Services (DLP/Encryption), with a secondary code of BPAEAEAH, Network Performance Management & Observability Services. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.