It feels a little weird to write this, honestly. I’m writing a blog post that explicitly recommends my competitors.
In the cutthroat world of business, you’re supposed to pretend you’re the only game in town. You’re supposed to say, “We are the best, ignore the rest,” and hope your potential clients don’t know how to use Google. But here at Monreal IT, we don’t really operate that way. We believe in transparency and, more importantly, we believe in fit.
The truth is, we aren't the perfect IT partner for every single business in Northeast Ohio. We might be too small for a massive global enterprise, or perhaps our specific security stack doesn’t align with a legacy compliance requirement you have. And that’s okay. My goal isn’t just to “get the sale;” it’s to help you solve your technology problems. Sometimes, that means pointing you toward a different managed IT services provider that might align better with your specific needs.
I’ve been in this industry for a long time. I know the players. I’ve shaken hands with their CEOs at local events, and I’ve seen their trucks on I-480. So, taking a page out of the "River Pools" playbook (if you know, you know), I’m going to share my honest thoughts on the best IT providers in our area, and yes, I’m going to include us in the list so you can see exactly where we fit in the lineup.
If longevity is your primary metric for trust, Warwick is hard to beat. They’ve been around for over 75 years. You don’t stay in business that long without doing right by your customers.
The Vibe: They started in voice and telephony and evolved into a full-service MSP. Because of that history, they are exceptionally strong if your business relies heavily on complex unified communications or legacy phone systems alongside your IT network.
Who they are a good fit for: Businesses that want a provider with a massive local legacy and deep roots in voice solutions. They market themselves on “100% Happiness,” which is a bold claim, but their reputation in the region backs up their commitment to service.
You can’t drive down 271 without seeing their massive headquarters. Park Place is a global powerhouse. They are, without a doubt, the biggest fish in the Cleveland IT pond.
The Vibe: Corporate, scalable, and focused on data center hardware maintenance. They excel at keeping massive server farms running and have a global reach that smaller MSPs (like us) simply don’t aim for.
Who they are a good fit for: Mid-market to enterprise-level companies. If you have a data center in London and another in Cleveland, Park Place is your go-to. However, for a 15-person accounting firm in Lakewood, their scale might feel a bit like bringing a tank to a knife fight.
MCPc has carved out a really specific, and really valuable, niche: "The Anyplace Workspace." They focus heavily on endpoint management, making sure the laptops, tablets, and phones your employees use are secure and functional, no matter where they are.
The Vibe: Security-first and logistics-heavy. They handle the lifecycle of devices incredibly well, from procurement to secure disposal.
Who they are a good fit for: Organizations with a large, distributed workforce that need strict control over thousands of devices. If understanding the full scope of support for remote hardware is your nightmare, they handle that logistics piece beautifully.
Great Lakes has a reputation for being the "friendly fix-it" crew. They offer managed services, but they also have a strong break/fix and repair heritage.
The Vibe: Approachable and practical. While many MSPs are trying to move purely into cloud strategy, Great Lakes still keeps a foot in the hardware repair world.
Who they are a good fit for: Businesses that have a lot of physical hardware that breaks often, or who prefer a more transactional relationship rather than a deep, strategic vCIO partnership.
If you drive around Kent or Cleveland, you have almost certainly seen a Quality IP fleet vehicle. They are everywhere, and they are one of the most recognizable names in the local MSP space.
The Vibe: They are the "standard bearer" for many businesses in the region. They are heavily certified (Cisco, Dell, Microsoft) and operate with a very structured, process-driven approach. They have a strong reputation for being "by the book," which appeals to organizations that value predictability above all else.
Who they are a good fit for: Organizations that want a provider who feels big enough to be safe but local enough to drive to your office. They are particularly strong if you need a standard, reliable managed services package without a lot of experimental technology.
Based in downtown Cleveland, FIT Technologies has a unique differentiator that sets them apart from almost everyone else on this list: they are 100% employee-owned (an ESOP).
The Vibe: Because the employees own the company, there is often a higher level of personal investment in client satisfaction. You aren't just talking to a tech; you're talking to an owner. They have deep roots in the education and non-profit sectors, originally spinning out of a school management software company.
Who they are a good fit for: Schools, non-profits, and healthcare organizations often flock to FIT because they understand those unique environments deeply. If culture is your number one priority and you want to support a business where the workers reap the rewards, FIT is a fantastic choice.
This is a "two-for-one" entry. Accellis and LaserPoint are technically two different brands, but they are owned by the same company, allowing them to specialize in two very different markets.
The Vibe: Accellis is the "suit and tie" brand, specializing in high-compliance environments like law firms and legal services. LaserPoint is their "business casual" brand, geared towards general small businesses and manufacturers. It’s a smart way to ensure that a 5-person flower shop isn't paying for the same heavy compliance stack as a 50-person litigation firm.
Who they are a good fit for: If you are a law firm, Accellis is one of the few local providers that speaks your language fluently. For general businesses, LaserPoint offers that same enterprise backing but with a scope that fits general SMB needs.
Logically is a national powerhouse that entered the Cleveland market by acquiring well-respected local MSPs (like Cerdant and Cornerstone IT). They represent the "national roll-up" model of managed services.
The Vibe: Big resources, deep benches, and national coverage. Because they have acquired security-focused firms, they have a very strong security division that rivals much larger enterprise providers. However, because they are a national brand, you may trade some of that "local family feel" for the stability of a large corporate structure.
Who they are a good fit for: Companies that have offices in multiple states and need a single provider who can handle all of them with a unified process. If you want the resources of a Park Place but the service model of a traditional MSP, Logically is a strong contender.
Okay, obviously I’m biased here. But I’m including us because I want you to see exactly where we sit compared to the giants listed above. We are a boutique firm, and we lean heavily into the "cybersecurity-first" identity.
The Vibe: We are the "Goldilocks" option for SMBs who want enterprise-grade security but still want a relationship where the engineers know your dog's name. We aren't a massive corporation like Park Place, but we aren't a "break/fix" shop either. We are obsessed with active threat hunting and Zero Trust architecture.
Who we are a good fit for: Small to medium-sized businesses that are terrified of ransomware and want a proactive partner, not just a helpdesk to call when a printer breaks. We are transparent to a fault; if you want to know more about who we don't work well with, read our article on the signs we might not be the right fit for you.
So, how do you pick between us, Warwick, Park Place, or anyone else? It comes down to three factors:
1. Size and Scale: Do you need a global team that offers 24/7 support in six languages? Go with a giant like Park Place. Do you want a team that knows your receptionist’s name and your dog’s birthday? You probably want a smaller, boutique firm like Monreal IT.
2. Security Maturity: Every provider claims to do cybersecurity, but their definitions vary wildly. Some think installing an antivirus is enough. Others, like us, believe in a deep dive into cybersecurity that includes active threat hunting and zero-trust architecture. Ask for their specific stack. If they can't explain it simply, run.
3. The "Beer" Test: You’re going to be talking to these people when you are stressed out, hacked, or offline. Do you actually like them? Cultural fit is arguably the most important factor in a vendor relationship.
I write this because I want you to be educated. An educated buyer is a better partner. If you read this list and decide Warwick is a better fit for your voice-heavy needs, I’m happy you found a solution.
But, if you’re looking for a partner who is obsessed with proactive security, speaks plain English, and creates a relationship that feels less like a “ticket number” and more like a friendship, I’d love to throw our hat in the ring.
If you’re still on the fence about whether you need an external provider at all, you might want to read our comparison of hiring in-house versus outsourcing to see the pros and cons of keeping it in-house. And if you’re worried that you might be overpaying for any of these services, check out our breakdown of what IT support actually costs.
Whatever you choose, don't settle for "okay" IT. Your business deserves a partner that helps you win.