Are you considering partnering with an IT service provider to help you meet NIST 800-171, CMMC, or other cybersecurity compliance regulations? Do you lack the internal staff to help you reach your IT objectives and business goals? Are you unhappy with your current IT provider and looking at alternatives?
If you’ve started researching different IT service providers, we know the process can be overwhelming.
At Kelser, we also understand that with your busy schedule as a small or medium-sized business owner, you likely don’t have time to scour different provider websites and sift through all of their IT services and managed IT offerings.
That’s why we’re committed to saving you valuable time by providing straightforward articles like this where we compare ourselves to one of our competitors. These comparison articles are meant to present facts (readily available on the company websites) so that you can have the information you need right at your fingertips.
In this article we compare ourselves to CompassMSP. Our intention with these types of articles is to provide a simple overview of each company’s offerings in as impartial a way as possible.
At Kelser, we believe that the foundation for any healthy relationship is honesty and trust. That’s why we want to be as transparent as possible. We know that we’re not the only IT company out there. We also readily acknowledge that there are areas where Kelser and CompassMSP both shine.
While our IT solutions have helped many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) over our more than 40-year history, we recognize that they may not meet your needs.
After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between each provider. You can then use this information to help you evaluate which option might be a better fit for your business.
CompassMSP
CompassMSP is a managed technology company that started in 2002 as IT Direct. Florida-based CompassMSP acquired IT Direct in 2021, and IT Direct subsequently took on the parent company name.
Locations
- Hartford
- Florida (Jacksonville & Miami)
- Illinois (Chicago)
- Maryland (Baltimore)
- New Jersey (Princeton)
- New York (Tarrytown)
- Pennsylvania (Reading)
Services
CompassMSP brands its managed services offerings separately as AutoPilot, CoPilot, and Secure Path. The company’s website outlines a four-step process for working with them: discovery consultation, IT roadmap design, implantation best practices, and ongoing support.
- AutoPilot (fully managed IT support)
- CoPilot (co-managed IT services)
- Secure Path (managed cybersecurity and compliance services)
- IT Consulting
- Compliance Services
- Network Assessment
- Network Monitoring
- Data Backup & Recovery
- Professional Services
- Business Cloud Services
You can learn more about CompassMSP's managed IT offerings here.
Typical Clients
- Manufacturing
- Legal
- Construction
- Financial
- Healthcare
- Transportation and Logistics
- Insurance
Customer Satisfaction
The CompassMSP website does not list specific customer satisfaction statistics, although it does feature some client testimonials.
Pricing
Pricing information is not available on the IT Direct website. For more information, you can contact its sales department to get in touch with them.
Awards & Recognition
Named to the Inc. 5000 2024 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America
Channel Company’s CRN named CompassMSP to its MSP 500 list for 2024
Ranked on Channel Futures 2024 MSP 501
Named Barracuda 2024 MSP Partner of the Year
Who Is A Good Fit For CompassMSP?
CompassMSP serves growing small and medium-sized businesses throughout its geographic regions. Businesses in the manufacturing space, an area of specialty for the MSP, may be a good fit to work with the company.
Additional Information
CompassMSP’s Chief Executive Officer Ari Santiago produces a podcast focused on the manufacturing sector called Made in America.
Kelser Corporation
Kelser Corporation was established in 1981 as New Technology Systems. It has evolved from a break/fix company to an established managed IT services provider serving small and medium-sized businesses throughout Connecticut and neighboring states.
Locations
In addition to its headquarters in Glastonbury, Conn., Kelser also has warehouses in Windsor Locks, Conn. and Columbus, Ohio.
Services
Kelser offers the following IT services:
- Managed services
- Cybersecurity
- IT services for enterprise
- Strategic IT consulting services
- NIST 800-171 compliance
- CMMC compliance
- Disaster recovery and business continuity
- Data center services
- Network and wireless solutions
- Cloud based solutions
- Life-cycle management
Under the umbrella of managed IT services, Kelser’s services include:
1. An expert virtual chief information officer (vCIO) who directly manages your project from start to finish, including strategic planning and budgetary guidance
2. A dedicated Technical Alignment Manager who develops intimate knowledge of a client’s entire IT infrastructure to ensure proactive support.
3. Enhanced cybersecurity and regulatory compliance services (including firewall security, antivirus, anti-malware, email, and endpoint security solutions)
4. Managed proactive IT monitoring
5. Unlimited 24/7 help desk support
6. Network and wireless offerings
7. Predictable monthly pricing
You can learn more about Kelser's managed IT offerings here.
Typical Clients
Kelser provides enterprise solutions for large corporations as well as managed IT support and project work for small and medium-sized businesses in industries including:
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Financial services
- Education
- Insurance
- Legal
Customer Satisfaction
At the time of this article posting, Kelser’s customer satisfaction rating is at 89.5, based on 57 reviews within the most recent 90-day period. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), the average CSAT benchmark score across all industries is 73.2.
Click here to see our latest rating.
Kelser also features written and video testimonials from clients on its website.
Pricing
Companies can plan to spend $120 to $150 per user per month for Kelser’s comprehensive managed IT services.
Awards & Recognition
- Cloud Tango MSP US
- CRN Elite 150
- 2021 Inc. 5000 Regionals: New York City Metro list, (#155 fastest-growing private companies in Connecticut, New Jersey, and NYC)
- CRN Triple Crown Winner
- CRN Fast Growth 150
- CRN Solution Provider 500
Who Is A Good Fit For Kelser?
Kelser would be a good fit for corporations looking for an IT provider for enterprise solutions and small and medium-sized businesses in search of a strategic, locally managed IT partner.
The company handles service calls locally and often provides white-glove delivery to local customers, offering a personal touch and providing pre-imaged equipment that arrives ready to plug and play.
Additional Information
Kelser’s not-for-profit arm, The Kelser Foundation, has raised upwards of $1.2 million for local nonprofit partners since it launched in 2011. Much of the money raised comes from proceeds from the Kelser Charity Challenge, its annual fundraising golf tournament.
Each year, the tournament raises tens of thousands of dollars for local causes, with the Hospital for Special Care’s Center for Cognitive Health being the beneficiary since 2017.
In addition, Kelser employees have donated 227 boxes of nonperishable food items, gently used clothing, sporting equipment, unused games, toys, and more as part of Kelser’s ongoing community outreach efforts.
Next Steps In Your MSP Decision Process
We recognize that deciding on a managed IT services partner is no easy task. There are many factors to consider before taking the leap. Here are some important things to consider:
- What are your IT goals and objectives?
- What are your business goals that can be enhanced through IT support?
- Does it matter to you whether your provider is local or non-local?
- What is your IT budget?
- How do the provider’s values and culture align with your own?
- What size provider is best suited to meet your needs?
- What can you expect for response and service times?
- Are you able to switch providers if you’re unhappy with the service?
After reading this article, you should have a more complete understanding of what CompassMSP and Kelser Corporation offer as part of their IT services and managed services.
Whether you’re looking for external managed IT support for the first time, or perhaps wanting to change from your current partner, we suggest you do your research before signing up. This article is meant to help you in that decision-making process.
Check out more articles in our Learning Center for other comparisons. You can also read this article to learn more about criteria for choosing the right provider.
As a small business ourselves, we understand the importance of thoroughly researching a provider before making a big investment. That’s why we strongly recommend that you check out other providers as well.
If you think Kelser might be a good fit for your business and would like to speak to a person, reach out by clicking the button and filling out the short form and one of our IT experts will respond promptly for a brief chat.
