1-Fix vs Sharp IT: How to decide which IT partner is right for your business

Here’s a question most businesses never ask until something goes wrong: who actually looks after our IT?

Not the logo on the contract. The people. Who picks up the phone, who knows how your systems fit together, and who tells you what’s coming next year before it becomes a problem.

That question matters more than any feature list when you’re choosing an IT partner. And if you’re in the Thames Valley or Norfolk, two names you may be comparing are:

Sharp IT: the IT services division of Sharp UK, best known for printers, copiers and displays, with 14 offices across the UK

1-Fix: a founder-led IT and Technology partner based in Bracknell, with 1-Fix East covering Norfolk, supporting growing businesses since 2002

A quick disclaimer: this article is written by the team at 1-Fix. Naturally we think we’re pretty good, but we’ve worked hard to keep this comparison fair and useful. Use it to make the right decision for your business, even if that decision isn’t us.

Two approaches, two outcomes

The first thing to understand is where each business comes from.

Sharp is a global electronics brand that has operated in the UK since 1964. Over the past decade it has built a substantial IT services business, partly by acquiring established IT companies. That includes Midshire in 2017 and Complete I.T. in 2019, a High Wycombe-based firm with around 170 staff at the time. Today Sharp says it has more than 200 IT specialists, alongside a wider UK team of over 700 people.

That means Sharp can offer a lot under one roof: IT support, print, audio visual, displays and even workplace furniture.

1-Fix is a much smaller, independent business. Craig Atkins founded it in 2002 and still runs it. The team works with established businesses of roughly 50 to 250 users, mainly in Berkshire and the Thames Valley, with 1-Fix East supporting businesses across Norfolk and the East of England.

The aim is the same for both: technology that works, keeps you secure and helps your business move forward. The route to get there is different.

What it’s like working with Sharp IT

If you like the idea of one large supplier handling IT alongside the rest of your office technology, Sharp IT is a credible choice.

Their IT offer includes:

• Outsourced IT support with an unlimited helpdesk and onsite support

• Fully managed IT services, including managing your IT team for you

• Co-managed support to cover holidays, sickness and skills gaps in internal teams

• A 24/7 helpdesk with a dedicated team for emergencies

• Cyber security, cloud, Microsoft 365, and backup and disaster recovery

• Copilot consultancy and Microsoft business applications such as Dynamics 365

• IT procurement and VoIP phone systems

Each client gets a dedicated consultant and account manager, plus a bespoke IT roadmap. Onboarding follows a structured five-stage process, starting with a one-day onsite review of your systems.

Sharp’s credentials are strong. It holds ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus, has five Microsoft Solutions Partner designations, and was named Tech Company of the Year at the 2024 National Technology Awards.

It’s also unusually open about performance. Sharp publishes its own service figures on its local pages, including an average first response of 38 minutes, calls answered in under 10 seconds on average and 98% positive feedback.

They have offices in High Wycombe and Snetterton in Norfolk, and a strong track record in education, multi-academy trusts and charities.

Sharp IT might suit you if you:

• Want IT, print, displays and AV from a single supplier

• Are a school, multi-academy trust or charity looking for a provider with sector experience

• Need 24/7 helpdesk cover as standard

• Want an outsourced team to manage your IT staff on your behalf

• Value the backing of a large international brand

Sharp doesn’t publish its pricing, so you’ll need to request a quote to compare costs.

What it’s like working with 1-Fix

1-Fix is built for businesses that want a partner who knows them, not just their ticket numbers.

The focus is on established, growing businesses where someone (an IT Manager, Operations Manager or Director) owns technology and needs a team they can rely on. That means clear advice, honest recommendations and people who understand how your business actually works.

Here’s what’s included:

• Fixed-price IT support, priced per user per month

• A helpdesk you can reach through the 1-Fix Portal, phone or email

• Proactive monitoring and patch management

• Microsoft 365 management, from licences to joiners and leavers

• 24x7x365 managed detection and response on your devices

• Backup and recovery, with restores actually tested

• Co-managed support for businesses with their own IT team

• Cyber security, compliance, connectivity and business continuity

• AI adoption support, including Microsoft Copilot readiness and demos

Every client has a named account manager who reviews your technology, helps you plan and budget, and gets to know your business over time.

1-Fix holds Cyber Essentials Plus, is a Microsoft partner, and has been named one of Britain’s Top 50 MSPs for IT Services at the Reseller Choice Awards for seven consecutive years. It was also Network Group MSP of the Year 2024 and won Member Initiative of the Year in 2025.

On pricing, fixed-price IT support in the UK typically falls between £50 and £150 per user per month, depending on security depth, backup scope, support hours and onsite needs. 1-Fix will tell you where you’d sit after a short conversation, and costs scale with headcount rather than the number of tickets you raise.

1-Fix might suit you if you:

• Have around 50 to 250 users and want to feel like a valued client, not one of thousands

• Want IT and Technology advice from a specialist, not a print or hardware supplier

• Prefer a consistent team who know your setup and your history

• Want straightforward, jargon-free advice your whole leadership team can follow

• Have an internal IT person who needs support and expertise, not replacing

• Are based in Berkshire, the Thames Valley or across Norfolk and the East of England

The humans involved

Sharp IT

Sharp UK is led by CEO Stuart Sykes, with Mark Williams, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, overseeing the IT division alongside core service operations and Sharp’s AI consulting work.

Behind them sits a large structure of account managers, client service managers, technical consultants and helpdesk team leaders. If you value process, scale and clearly defined roles, that’s reassuring.

1-Fix

1-Fix is still run by the person who founded it. Craig Atkins started the business in 2002 to help company owners use IT to grow. Sarah Atkins joined the following year as employee number two, and many clients have been with 1-Fix since the early days.

The team is small enough that you’ll get to know people by name. Callum Hurst looks after client accounts, Dimeji Ojuri runs service delivery, and the engineers helping you are the ones who know your systems.

If you want to speak to someone senior who already understands your business, that’s simple at 1-Fix.

What clients say

Sharp IT

Sharp reports 98% positive feedback across its support tickets. Its clients often praise a helpdesk that’s committed to solving problems, pleasant to deal with and doesn’t make staff feel awkward about simple questions. Education clients value having expert third-line support behind their internal teams.

1-Fix

1-Fix holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google from 55 reviews. Clients tend to talk about the people and the peace of mind that comes with them.

Stephen Hurst at Rex Hurst & Sons said IT is no longer something his team worries about, so they can concentrate on running the business. Dawn Flint at BCL Timber Projects said every member of the team she’d dealt with had been delightful and very professional.

So, which one should you choose?

Here’s the short version.

Choose Sharp IT if:

• You want one supplier for IT, print, displays and AV

• You’re in education or the charity sector and want deep sector experience

• 24/7 helpdesk cover is essential

• You’re comfortable with a large organisation and its structured processes

Choose 1-Fix if:

• You’re a 50 to 250 user business in the Thames Valley, Berkshire or Norfolk

• You want an independent, specialist IT and Technology partner

• You value a consistent, named team who know your business

• You want fixed, predictable per-user pricing

• You’d like support for your internal IT person rather than a replacement

There’s no single “best” provider. There’s only the one that fits how you want to run your IT.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sharp IT the same company as Sharp printers?
Yes. Sharp IT is the IT services division of Sharp UK, part of the global Sharp electronics business. It grew partly through acquisitions, including Complete I.T. in High Wycombe.

Does Sharp IT have offices near me?
Sharp has 14 UK offices. The nearest to the Thames Valley is High Wycombe, and its Norfolk office is in Snetterton.

Does 1-Fix support businesses in Norfolk?
Yes. 1-Fix East supports businesses across Norfolk and the East of England, including Norwich, King’s Lynn, Thetford and Great Yarmouth. Support is mainly remote, with planned onsite visits.

How much does managed IT support cost?
Fixed-price IT support in the UK typically costs £50 to £150 per user per month. 1-Fix prices per user. Sharp doesn’t publish prices, so ask both for a written quote showing exactly what’s included.

What should I ask before switching IT provider?
Ask for response times in writing by priority level, who your named contact will be, what’s included versus billed separately, and how documentation and admin access are handed over if you ever leave.

See whether 1-Fix is the right fit

If you’re weighing up your options, start with a free IT Health Check. We’ll review your current setup, flag any risks and give you clear recommendations, whoever you decide to work with.

Book your free IT Health Check

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