Kelowna Sleeper Success Story Northern Computer Sees Expansion into Alberta
(Kelowna, B.C.) November 22, 2023 – Kelowna’s IT, cloud computing and cybersecurity leader and community mainstay, Northern Computer has jumped into Alberta with the acquisition of Syncsys and Compufix. Both acquired companies boast a strong track record of supporting customers’ IT needs across Alberta, strengthening Northern Computer’s existing suite of managed IT services.
“We’re proud to be a Kelowna-based and operated IT company. Many of our clients and our employees have been with us for multiple decades,” said John Gibson, GM of Northern Computer, a veteran of the company for over 20 years. On the company’s commitment to its Kelowna roots, Gibson continues, “We’ve worked with over 600 amazing businesses and organizations in Kelowna and across the Okanagan. Our priority is supporting our customers and that is clearly demonstrated in our latest customer satisfaction score (CSAT) of 98% in October.”
The acquisition of Syncsys and Compufix is a strategic move, addressing the rising concern of cybersecurity threats, particularly targeting small businesses, which constitute a significant portion of Northern Computer’s client base. An estimated 43% of all cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses. According to IBM’s 2023 Data Breach Report, cyber attacks cost businesses an average of $7M CDN per attack. In Q1 of 2023 alone, there were over 70,000 reported data breaches, with the actual number likely higher due to unreported incidents for fear of reputation damage.
This expansion firmly establishes Northern Computer in Alberta, broadening its presence from predominantly Kelowna, the Okanagan Valley, the Interior, the Lower Mainland, and the Yukon.
A Kelowna sleeper success story, Northern Computer is acquiring companies instead of being acquired by companies from areas like Vancouver or South of the Border.
Gibson emphasized, “We’re delighted to bring our dedication, ingenuity, and experience into Alberta, with the help of the exceptional teams at Syncsys and Compufix. Their combined expertise in cloud computing, desktop support, cybersecurity, and data management will strengthen Northern Computer’s capabilities for the benefit of our more than 600 clients, whether in B.C., the Yukon, or now, Alberta.”
While the company is expanding, it’s still staying true to its local roots. When real life crises, like the fires that ravaged Kelowna this summer and some local government offices were impacted, Northern Computer demonstrated its ability to offer both cloud and physical support. They provided the resources and expertise to swiftly co-locate their systems and data, allowing remote cloud access, thereby ensuring minimal downtime and business continuity for those affected by the fires.
About Northern Computer
Established in 1981, Northern Computer began serving Northern British Columbia and the Okanagan Valley and has since expanded its footprint to cover Western Canada. Headquartered in Kelowna, B.C., Northern Computer has evolved into a full-service IT solutions provider and an independent IT leader in Western Canada. The company supports over 600 small businesses, organizations, municipalities, and school districts, specializing in IT services, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data management. Northern Computer is unique as its employees are also owners of the company. The company boasts top-tier partnerships with industry leaders such as Lenovo, Microsoft, IBM, Aruba, and Palo Alto.
Media Contact:
Kim Bowie
604-817-6508