North Star vs Microserve
Microserve is one of BC's longest-established IT solution providers, serving mid-market and enterprise organisations from Burnaby with offices in Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton. North Star is a Prince George-based firm built for SMBs and smaller mid-market clients across BC, Alberta, and Yukon, with a direct, founder-led approach and on-site capability in communities where larger firms may not regularly travel. Which one fits depends on your seat count, complexity, and how you like to work with your IT team.
Side-by-side overview
| Dimension | North Star | Microserve |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | SMB to smaller mid-market in BC, AB, and Yukon | Mid-market to enterprise (75-500 seats) in BC and AB |
| HQ | Prince George, BC | Burnaby, BC |
| Founded | Founded by Keegan Martin, headquartered in Prince George | 1987 |
| Engagement style | Direct access to senior staff on every file | Structured service tiers with dedicated account management for larger accounts |
| Local on-site (BC / AB / YT) | On-site across BC, AB, and Yukon including northern and remote areas | Offices in Burnaby, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton |
Who each firm serves best
When North Star fits
- Your business has fewer than 100 seats and wants a provider who treats you as a top-tier client, not a smaller account
- You are based in Prince George, the Peace Country, the Okanagan, or another interior BC community where on-site response matters
- You want managed IT, cybersecurity, and custom software from one team without multi-vendor coordination
- You prefer a flat, predictable monthly engagement with direct access to the same people every time
When Microserve fits
- Your organisation has 75 to 500 seats and benefits from a provider with 35-plus years of enterprise delivery experience in Western Canada
- You need a partner with deep IT procurement and logistics capabilities, including hardware sourcing and asset management
- Your environment requires specialised audio-visual or managed print services alongside core IT support
- You are a public sector or large private sector organisation looking for a provider with established government contracting history
What both firms do well
- Both firms are BC-headquartered and understand the specific connectivity, compliance, and operational challenges of Western Canadian organisations
- Both offer managed services, cybersecurity, and Microsoft 365 support as core capabilities
- Both bring genuine on-site capability in BC and Alberta rather than remote-only delivery
Common questions when comparing providers
Does Microserve serve small businesses?
Microserve publicly states it specialises in organisations with 75 to 500 seats, placing it squarely in the mid-market and enterprise segment. North Star targets smaller organisations and early-stage mid-market clients who want a more personalised engagement.
Is Microserve available in northern BC?
Microserve's offices are in Burnaby, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton. North Star is headquartered in Prince George and covers the northern BC Interior and Peace Country with regular on-site visits, which is less common for Lower Mainland-based providers.
How do pricing models differ?
Neither firm publishes public pricing. Microserve's enterprise-focused model typically involves custom proposals for larger seat counts. North Star offers published monthly care tiers starting at $149 per month, designed for transparency with smaller organisations.
What services do both firms offer?
Both offer managed IT, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, cloud services, and backup and disaster recovery. North Star also provides custom software development, website design, and digital branding, which are outside Microserve's stated scope.
Not sure which provider fits your situation?
Book a 30-minute scoping call. We will walk through your environment, your geography, and your priorities to help you figure out the right fit, even if that fit is not us.
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