The Way Forward IT

What The Way Forward IT does

The Way Forward IT is an owner-managed managed IT services provider headquartered in Blairgowrie, Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2010 by Derek Middleton. The firm delivers outsourced, enterprise-grade IT support to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) across Johannesburg that lack internal IT resources, covering email management, cybersecurity, web hosting, domain administration, and data backup on ad-hoc or low-cost retainer terms with no lock-in contracts.

The technical stack centers on resale, configuration, and managed operation of third-party platforms rather than proprietary technology. Core offerings include Microsoft 365 (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) and Google Workspace licensing, configuration, and migration; managed security including anti-spam, anti-phishing, antivirus (ESET, Kaspersky), firewalls, VPNs, and DMARC authentication; tiered web hosting on its own infrastructure (Silver R99, Gold R149, Platinum R279, Palladium R439 per month) with SSD storage, POP/IMAP email, MySQL, FTP, and SSL certificate management; domain registration and configuration; and cloud and local backup services delivered through partners Attix 5 and Redstor. The firm holds Microsoft Silver Partner certification and POPIA compliance posture.

The business model is predominantly subscription and retainer-based recurring revenue: monthly hosting and domain subscriptions, monthly Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace licensing, managed security subscriptions, and managed IT support retainers, supplemented by ad-hoc billable hours and hardware/software resale (requiring 100% deposit, with ownership retained until paid in full). Go-to-market is direct sales, founder-led, with no intermediaries: new client intake runs through Calendly free consultations and Microsoft Office online forms, with emergency onsite technician dispatch available in Johannesburg. The firm has no app, no public API/SDK, no disclosed investors or funding, and no subsidiaries; it is a privately held, founder-dependent micro-MSP.

Name

The Way Forward IT

Legal name

The Way Forward IT

Website

https://thewayforward.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Way Forward IT is an owner-managed managed IT services provider in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2010 by Derek Middleton, delivering outsourced email, security, hosting, domain, and backup services to small and micro enterprises on subscription and retainer terms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Cloud Managed Services (M365/Azure/AWS/GCP) (BPAEABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize) (BPAEAJAN), Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA), Service Desk & ITSM Outsourcing (BPAEAMAF)

Keywords

• Managed IT services
• IT support helpdesk
• Cloud services
• Cybersecurity services
• Network management

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

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 IT Support Services: Outsourced IT support on ad-hoc or low-cost monthly retainer basis with no hidden fees or lock-in contracts. Covers all aspects of email, security, hosting, domains, and backups.
2. Web Hosting Subscriptions: Monthly and yearly web hosting packages across four tiers (Silver R99, Gold R149, Platinum R279, Palladium R439) with SSD storage, POP email accounts, MySQL databases, and FTP access.
3. Domain Name Services: Domain registrations, renewals, transfers, and configuration services. Domain renewals billed monthly or yearly and subject to 2-calendar-month cancellation notice.
4. Email Services: Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace licensing, configuration, and migration services.
5. Security Solutions: Anti-spam, anti-virus, VPN, firewall, and SSL certificate solutions sold as managed subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Way Forward IT is a Johannesburg-based managed IT services provider that delivers outsourced IT support, cloud services, cybersecurity, network management, and VoIP to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The company combines monthly managed service contracts with ad-hoc break/fix and project work, providing both remote helpdesk and onsite technical response for clients that lack in-house IT staff.

Product overview

The Way Forward IT is an owner-managed IT service provider specializing in supporting small businesses throughout Johannesburg. The company offers a unified portfolio of managed IT services rather than a single software product. The core offering consists of email services (Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace management), security solutions (antivirus, firewalls, VPNs, spam filtering), website and server hosting across four pricing tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Palladium), domain registration and management, and backup services. These services are delivered as an outsourced IT solution, enabling SMMEs to access corporate-grade IT support at affordable rates without employing full-time internal resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Managed IT Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 43% of businesses that undergo major data loss never reopen — The Way Forward IT helps prevent this outcome through reliable backup solutions.

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Kaspersky LabcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary security technology partner providing anti-virus, anti-malware, and threat protection solutions. Integral to the company's security service offerings.
• ATTIX 5coreTechnology or IntegrationBackup solution partner. ATTIX 5 is a data backup software used by The Way Forward IT to provide cloud and local backup services to clients.
• Microsoft (Office 365 / Microsoft 365)coreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Silver Certified Partner. Provides Microsoft 365 licensing, configuration, and managed services including Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and related productivity tools.
• MimecastcoreTechnology or IntegrationEmail security and management partner providing cloud-based email security, continuity, and archiving services integrated into The Way Forward IT's email management offerings.
• RedstorcoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud backup and data resilience partner providing intelligent backup and archiving solutions integrated into The Way Forward IT's backup service offerings.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Vox Telecom: South African telecoms and IT services provider offering connectivity, cloud, and managed services to business customers. Overlaps with The Way Forward IT in managed cloud, hosting, and security offerings for the SMB market.
• Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Pan-African technology group providing managed cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT services. Overlaps in the cloud managed services and security offerings, but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Bytes Technology Group: Large South African IT distribution and managed services company offering cloud, security, and managed workplace services. Operates at much larger scale but competes for similar Microsoft 365 and cloud managed services spend from South African businesses.
• Sage South Africa: South African arm of Sage Group offering accounting, HR, and payroll cloud software with associated partner-managed services for SMBs. Adjacent competitor for the SMME IT services wallet, particularly where Sage partners bundle IT support.
• BCX (Business Connexion): Major South African IT services and managed services provider with broad cloud, networking, and workplace offerings. Competes for the same managed IT and cloud productivity spend across South African enterprise and mid-market customers.
• EOH: One of South Africa's largest IT services groups providing managed infrastructure, cloud, and digital workplace services across multiple verticals. Represents a much larger incumbent competing for the same enterprise IT services wallet, including SMB segments.
• First Distribution / First Technology: South African IT distribution and services group offering managed services, cloud, and security solutions. Comparable in addressing South African business customers with Microsoft and security partner solutions.

Direct peers

• Dial a Nerd: South African managed IT services provider serving SMEs and home users with on-site and remote IT support, similar in target customer, service mix (support, email, security, backup), and SMB price-sensitivity to The Way Forward IT.
• ITology: South African managed IT services provider serving SMBs with cloud, security, and IT support. Comparable in target market, service mix, and SMB-focused positioning to The Way Forward IT.
• Geeks on Site: South African on-site and remote IT support provider for small businesses and home users. Direct competitor in the SMME IT support and managed services segment in Johannesburg with similar pricing-led GTM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Thewayforwardit
• Facebookfacebook.com/wayforwardit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-way-forward-it
• Instagraminstagram.com/Thewayforwardit
• Pinterestza.pinterest.com/thewayforwardit

Compliance2 records

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 Way Forward IT