ACE IT Solutions, a New Jersey-based managed service provider (MSP), has a lot on its agenda – hosted desktops, virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), cloud hosting and even an expanded IBM (IBM) partnership. But ACE Managing Partner Warren Finkel keeps it all in perspective. He said his company, ranked 286 on the MSPmentor Top 501 list for 2014, is only focused on providing managed IT services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) so they can become more productive and efficient.

But therein lies the problem for many SMBs. Because some MSPs take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to IT services, SMBs sometimes struggle to get the support they need. Here’s what Finkel has to say about his company’s approach and why it’s different.

ACE, on the other hand, has grown over the past few years thanks in part to how it responds to customers — quickly and effectively, Finkel told MSPmentor. Finkel said his company’s goal is “to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions that help clients remain competitive,” which it plans to achieve through new partnerships.

Top Executive: Warren Finkel, Managing Partner
Headquarters: Saddle Brook, NJ
Geography served: NJ, NY, Connecticut
Number of employees: 25
Key Technology Partners: IBM, Cisco, Microsoft

From initial start-up to managed IT solutions

Finkel supports ACE’s finance, marketing and sales groups and helps build vendor relationships. He has a business operations and technology background and helped ACE grow its business to approximately 50 customers within a six-month period.

Founded in 2009, ACE was formed in response to the rapidly increasing demand for IT services. Since that time, this MSP has expanded its offerings and now serves as a full-service technology partner with headquarters in Saddle Brook, New Jersey.

Finkel told MSPmentor his company offers myriad IT services – everything from backup, disaster recovery and business continuity solutions to website management support. In addition, ACE has already partnered with Cisco Systems (CSCO), IBM and Microsoft (MSFT), among others, and continues to search for ways to deliver custom solutions to its customers.

“Our company has experienced exponential growth over the past few years and we are continually adding new clients that appreciate our responsiveness, knowledgable team and 24×7 services. We do not take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, [and] we tailor our services to meet our clients’ specific needs,” Finkel said.

ACE offers vertical support

Finkel noted his company supports customers in several industries, including:

With 25 employees, ACE provides IT services to customers in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Finkel said ACE’s biggest accomplishment to date has been its ability to provide technology that helps its customers stay ahead of their rivals.

Over the years, ACE also has been successful in growing with its customers, which Finkel said has been key to his company’s growth.

“Managed service providers need to be nimble enough to work with their clients, grow with them and respond to each client’s unique goals,” Finkel told MSPmentor.

The demand for cost-effective IT solutions

MSPs, like all businesses, face a variety of everyday challenges, and Finkel believes delivering custom IT services is the biggest challenge for MSPs today. However, he added ACE wants to provide cost-effective IT solutions designed specifically for each of its customers, and it has been successful in doing so thus far.

“Businesses do not want a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, and they expect their IT partner to deliver a managed service plan that is customized to their specific needs,” Finkel told MSPmentor.

Finkel also said ACE continues to explore opportunities to improve its IT services.

For example, ACE recently announced a partnership with IBM (IBM) to provide security services to reduce cyber security risks for hedge funds and help them comply with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements. As an IBM partner, Finkel said ACE is able to resell IBM’s security services and leverage one of the world’s largest collections of security information.

ACE keeps up with customers’ needs

According to Finkel, ACE is targeting new partnerships with data centers and plans to expand its IBM partnership. These moves could help ACE further extend its reach.

“We are forming partnerships with strategically-located data centers to deliver remote IT services and reliable disaster recovery. We are also growing our IBM partnership to deliver managed security solutions that can be customized to meet any business’ needs and budget,” Finkel told MSPmentor.

For the time being, ACE will continue to provide managed IT services to SMBs. Finkel added ACE plans to focus on hosted desktops, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and cloud hosting initiatives as well.