This guide compares seven managed service providers that serve Ohio businesses on the things that matter most for Microsoft 365 and backup: cybersecurity depth, Microsoft 365 management, backup and recovery practices, help desk coverage, and on-site service. We also note which providers have an Ohio office and which serve the state remotely.
Competitor details are based on each provider's publicly available information at the time of writing. Services and locations change, so confirm directly with any provider you are considering.
Cloud Cover is an Ohio-based MSP founded in 2012 and headquartered in Worthington. It serves small and mid-sized businesses with a flat-fee model that bundles help desk support, cybersecurity, backup and disaster recovery, Microsoft 365 management, and strategic vCIO reviews into one monthly cost.
Microsoft 365 is central to the service. Cloud Cover handles user administration, security hardening, license audits, and backup for the entire Microsoft 365 environment. Its layered security includes endpoint protection, MFA enforcement, phish testing and training, and dark web scanning, using tools such as Huntress and ThreatLocker.
Pros: Transparent flat-fee pricing; Microsoft 365 and backup included rather than sold as add-ons; local Ohio technicians.
Cons: On-site service is focused on Ohio; as an SMB-focused provider, it may not suit organizations with thousands of endpoints.
Impact is a national provider headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, with more than 20 locations across the U.S. Its Cleveland office in Independence, Ohio, is its Ohio location and serves Northeast Ohio businesses. Impact offers managed IT and cloud services, cybersecurity, digital innovation, print and document management, and marketing services.
Pros: Physical Ohio office in the Cleveland area; broad service catalog beyond IT.
Cons: Pricing is not published online; Microsoft 365 and backup specifics are not detailed on its Cleveland page; only one Ohio location.
Ntiva is a national managed IT provider that pairs clients with a dedicated group of technicians who learn their environment. It offers 24/7 help desk, proactive monitoring, cybersecurity, cloud management, and IT consulting.
Pros: Named support team; strategic IT consulting included.
Cons: No Ohio office listed in public directories, so Ohio clients are typically served remotely; pricing requires a custom quote.
Dataprise organizes services into three tiers, IT Foundation, IT Fortify, and IT Comply, each adding security and compliance capabilities. Its top tier includes disaster recovery testing and compliance gap assessments.
Pros: Structured path to compliance; fully managed and co-managed options.
Cons: Disaster recovery testing and compliance features sit in the highest tier; Ohio office presence could not be confirmed from public listings; pricing is not published.
Thrive is a national managed services provider based in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Its published offerings include security for Microsoft 365, Microsoft 365 governance, data protection and backup, managed detection and response, and vCIO and vCISO advisory services.
Pros: Specific Microsoft 365 security and backup offerings; advisory services available.
Cons: No Ohio office identified, so on-site support may be limited; geared toward mid-market organizations; pricing is not published.
Magna5 is a national MSP that lists managed Microsoft 365, data backup and disaster recovery, and managed cloud services among its offerings, supported by a 24/7 operations center.
Pros: Dedicated managed Microsoft 365 and backup services; around-the-clock operations center.
Cons: No Ohio office identified in public listings; pricing is not published.
Keystone Technology Consultants is based in Garfield Heights, near Cleveland, and has served Northeast Ohio businesses for more than two decades. Its work centers on managed IT services and cybersecurity, along with cloud and IT strategy consulting.
Pros: Local Northeast Ohio presence; long regional track record.
Cons: A smaller team, which may limit capacity for multi-site organizations; Microsoft 365 and backup specifics are not detailed publicly; pricing is not published.
| Provider | Ohio office | Published pricing | Microsoft 365 management | Backup and recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Cover | Yes (Worthington) | Yes, instant calculator | Yes, included | Yes, included |
| Impact | Yes (Independence) | No | Not detailed | Not detailed |
| Ntiva | Not listed | No | Not detailed | Not detailed |
| Dataprise | Not confirmed | No | Not detailed | DR testing in top tier |
| Thrive | Not listed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Magna5 | Not listed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Keystone | Yes (Garfield Heights) | No | Not detailed | Not detailed |
Microsoft keeps Microsoft 365 running, but protecting your data from accidental deletion, ransomware, or a departing employee is largely your responsibility. A dedicated Microsoft 365 backup lets you restore mailboxes, OneDrive files, and SharePoint sites to a point in time. When comparing providers, ask how long backups are kept, how quickly a mailbox or site can be restored, and when they last tested a restore. Read Is Your Backup Actually Recoverable?
Cloud Cover combines Microsoft 365 management, backup and recovery, layered cybersecurity, and local Ohio support in one flat-fee plan, and it publishes pricing so you can budget before you talk to anyone. Get your instant estimate or learn more about managed Microsoft 365 support.
Microsoft provides service availability and limited retention, but it is not a full backup solution. Most businesses add a dedicated Microsoft 365 backup managed by their IT provider.
Most issues are resolved remotely, but an Ohio office makes on-site help faster for hardware, network, and office moves.
It depends on your number of users and the security and backup you need. Cloud Cover's pricing calculator gives an instant estimate.
Ask what is backed up, how long it is kept, how fast it can be restored, and to see a recent restore test.
Tell us a little about your business and a Cloud Cover team member will follow up with answers, not a sales pitch.