Running Computers

What Running Computers does

Running Computers is a South African Managed Services Provider (MSP) headquartered in Midrand, Johannesburg. Founded in 1995 and operating as a Close Corporation (Running Computers CC), the company delivers IT infrastructure management to organizations of varying sizes in the domestic market. Its offering spans tiered managed services under customizable Service Level Agreements (SLAs), 24x7x365 monitoring and alerting of IP devices across customer networks, a web-based hosted helpdesk for support request management, and an automation engine that runs script-based remediation when system thresholds are exceeded. Underlying technology includes cloud-managed endpoint antivirus, remote monitoring probes, NOC-style performance reporting, and proactive patch and backup management workflows. Additional revenue comes from hardware and software procurement, vendor-independent IT architecture consulting, and end-to-end project management for network and server deployments.

The business model is primarily subscription-based, anchored by recurring managed services and monitoring contracts, supplemented by transactional revenue from hardware/software resale and project-based professional services for IT architecture, server room design, and disaster recovery planning. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed, with services bundled by tier to match customer size and profile in order to avoid the prohibitively expensive one-size-fits-all SLA pricing common in the market. Customer acquisition is direct, driven by the corporate website (rc.co.za), social channels (Twitter @RunComp, Facebook runningcomputerssa), and inbound inquiries via email/phone/contact forms with no third-party channel partners.

Strategically, Running Computers leans on long-standing vendor relationships, BBBEE empowerment credentials (EmpowerDex certified in 2015 and 2016), and its proprietary automation engine as differentiators. The company is privately held, founder/owner-operated, has no disclosed parent, and no disclosed funding rounds. Key gaps include the absence of named management, named customer logos, disclosed revenue, and any evidence of AI/ML capabilities, geographic expansion beyond South Africa, or recent (post-2016) growth metrics.

Name

Running Computers

Legal name

Running Computers CC

Website

https://rc.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Running Computers is a South African Managed Services Provider founded in 1995, offering tiered managed IT services, 24x7 monitoring and alerting, helpdesk support, and IT procurement to organizations of all sizes in the domestic market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize) (BPAEAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Server, Storage & Virtualization Management Services (BPAEABAI), Endpoint & Device Management (UEM/MDM) Services (BPAEABAF), Service Catalog, Request Fulfillment & Self-Service Portals (BPAEAJAI), Network Management (LAN/WAN/Wi‑Fi) Services (BPAEABAD)

Keywords

• Managed IT services
• Network monitoring
• Endpoint protection
• IT infrastructure management
• SLA-based support

Headquarters

HQ city

Midrand

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Managed Services and SLA Contracts: Tiered managed services with customizable Service Level Agreements offering predetermined response times, roles, and responsibilities. Revenue generated through ongoing service contracts with multiple tiers of support services.
2. IT Procurement and Hardware/Software Solutions: Provision of hardware and software solutions including custom network solutions, server room design, built-to-spec server and desktop solutions, and vendor-independent consultation.
3. Project Management Services: Full spectrum project management for IT architecture, design, configuration, installation and support of integrated connectivity solutions, backup strategy, and disaster recovery planning.
4. Monitoring and Alerting Services: Remote monitoring and reporting solutions for all IP devices within customer networks. Revenue from essential license (24x7x365 threshold-based monitoring) and professional offerings (critical desktop and server monitoring).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Running Computers is a Managed Services Provider (MSP) delivering tiered IT infrastructure management to South African organizations. Core offerings include managed services with customised Service Level Agreements (endpoint anti-virus, patch management, backup management, anti-spam), 24x7 remote monitoring and alerting of IP devices, an industry-first Automation Engine for script-based remediation, a web-based helpdesk for support request management, and procurement/IT architecture/project management for hardware, software, network, and server room deployments.

Product overview

Running Computers is a Managed Services Provider (MSP) offering an integrated suite of IT services to South African organizations. The core portfolio consists of Managed Services with tiered SLA options, comprehensive Monitoring & Alerting Services, and Procurement/IT Architecture services. Key modules include a NOC Reporting module for performance metrics, a Web-based Helpdesk for support request management, and an Automation Engine for script-based remediation. The offering is designed for businesses of all sizes with customizable service tiers and predetermined SLAs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Managed Services including Service Level Agreements (SLA) Tiered IT support services offering managed anti-virus with cloud-based definition updates, patch management with IT manager approval and tracking, backup management with daily verification and optional off-site storage, and anti-spam services. Includes customizable Service Level Agreements with predetermined response times, roles, and responsibilities. Designed for South African organizations of all sizes.
• Monitoring & Alerting Services Comprehensive remote monitoring and reporting solution capable of monitoring all IP devices within an IT network to enable discovery, monitoring, management, and reporting on all aspects of business infrastructure. Features 24x7x365 threshold-based monitoring at 4-hour scan intervals with email alerting and escalation, plus professional desktop and server monitoring at client-defined intervals including Active Directory, SQL, and Exchange monitoring.
• Procurement, IT Architecture & Project Management Hardware and software solution provision including custom network solutions, physical layer design and server room deployment, built-to-spec server and desktop solutions, vendor-independent consultation, backup strategy and disaster recovery planning, and full spectrum project management for IT architecture, design, configuration, installation, and support of integrated connectivity solutions.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Industry Leading VendorscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic relationships with industry leading vendors ensure multiple solutions are considered to offer dynamic, innovative and cost effective information technology systems. The company leverages long and valued relationships with suppliers to bring products and expertise to market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Gijima: Established South African IT services group delivering managed services, infrastructure support, and end-user computing — directly comparable in offering and customer segment to Running Computers' managed services and SLA portfolio.
• T-Systems South Africa: Subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom's T-Systems providing enterprise IT managed services, data center, and workplace services in South Africa — overlapping with Running Computers on managed infrastructure and SLA-based support for mid-market and enterprise clients.
• Dimension Data (NTT DATA): Now part of NTT DATA, Dimension Data is a major South African-origin global systems integrator offering managed infrastructure, networking, and workplace services that overlap directly with Running Computers' MSP, monitoring, and IT architecture offerings.
• Altron: Leading South African technology group providing IT services, managed infrastructure, and software solutions to enterprise and public-sector customers — directly comparable to Running Computers' enterprise IT services footprint.
• Kaseya: Global MSP platform vendor offering RMM, PSA, and security tooling that competes with and could enable Running Computers' managed services stack, particularly the monitoring, endpoint protection, and automation modules.
• BCX (Business Connexion): One of South Africa's largest IT services and managed services providers, offering managed infrastructure, cloud, and end-user services across the same enterprise and public-sector customer base that Running Computers targets from Midrand.
• Vodacom Business: Enterprise arm of Vodacom providing managed connectivity, cloud, and IT services to South African businesses — competing for the same enterprise IT budget that Running Computers targets with its managed services and SLAs.

Emerging players

• NinjaOne: Global RMM/endpoint management platform used by MSPs to deliver remote monitoring, patch management, and automation — overlapping with Running Computers' Monitoring & Alerting and Automation Engine offerings and a potential competitive or partner platform.

Direct peers

• Sahara Computers: South African IT services and solutions provider offering managed services, infrastructure, and support to mid-market clients — a close comparable to Running Computers in size, geography, and service mix.
• Aptronics: South African IT services firm delivering managed services, networking, and end-user support to mid-market clients — similar size and scope to Running Computers with overlapping managed services and SLA offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RunComp
• Facebookfacebook.com/runningcomputerssa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/running-computers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Running Computers