About Intellect IT: Our Philosophy, Values and Commitment to Melbourne Businesses
About Intellect IT
At Intellect IT, being about our clients isn’t just a slogan—it’s the foundation of everything we do.
Established in 2003 and proudly based in the heart of Melbourne CBD at Level 2, 343 Little Collins Street, we’ve spent over two decades refining an approach to IT support that puts genuine partnership first.
This is about who we are, what drives us, and why so many of Australian businesses trust us as their technology partner.
About Our Story: Two Decades of Trusted IT Support
About Our Story: Two Decades of Trusted IT Support
Intellect IT was born from a simple yet powerful idea: that technology services should be about solving real business problems, not pushing vendor agendas. In 2003, industry veterans Stephen Allan, Roy Solterbeck, and Max Soukhomlinov founded the company with a vision for a customer-first IT provider that would stand apart through transparency, expertise, and long-term thinking.
Back then, many businesses were being directed into short-sighted technology solutions that served vendor interests more than their own. The founding team believed they could offer something better – an impartial, vendor-agnostic service model built on trust and deep technical knowledge.
That vision has proven resilient. Over 20+ years, we’ve grown into one of Melbourne’s most respected IT support providers, earning a customer satisfaction rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 2,400 independent surveys. Many of our clients have been with us for 10 to 15 years or more – a testament to the strength of our relationships and the consistency of our service.
About Our Leadership: Guiding Principles from the Top
Our leadership team isn’t just about strategic direction; they’re deeply involved in shaping our culture and client experience.
Stephen Allan: Champion of Impartiality
Stephen Allan, one of our founding directors, has been a driving force behind our vendor-agnostic philosophy. He believes that being genuinely impartial isn’t just ethical—it’s good business. “We wanted to build a company that recommends technology based on what’s best for the client, not what’s most profitable for us,” Stephen says. This commitment to objectivity ensures that every solution we propose is aligned with your business goals, not external pressures.
Roy Solterbeck: Architect of Bespoke Solutions
With decades of experience across diverse industries, Roy Solterbeck brings a wealth of technical insight. He’s confident in our ability to deliver custom solutions because of the breadth of knowledge accumulated over years of serving clients in healthcare, legal, finance, manufacturing, and more. “It’s that cross-industry experience that allows us to bring innovative ideas and proven best practices to each new challenge,” Roy explains.
Max Soukhomlinov: Advocate for Partnership
For Max Soukhomlinov, it’s always been about trust. “Our customers know we have their best interests at heart,” he says. “We go on a journey with them; we get to know their staff well, as do they ours. It’s like a partnership.” This philosophy fosters collaboration and continuity, turning transactional support into a strategic alliance.
About Our Core Philosophy: Customer-First, Always
At Intellect IT, our philosophy is about more than just fixing issues—it’s about preventing them, understanding your business, and becoming a seamless extension of your team.
We operate as generalist IT providers, which means we’re not tied to a single vertical or vendor ecosystem. This flexibility became especially valuable during disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic, when businesses needed innovative solutions to support remote work, secure cloud adoption, and digital transformation. Our clients appreciated our ability to adapt quickly and recommend the right tools for their unique needs.
Unlike many providers, we don’t specialise in one technology stack. Instead, we bring you the best of breed—selecting solutions from our network of trusted partners, including Microsoft, Dell, Fortinet, and Veeam, based on what will deliver the best outcomes for your organisation.
About Our Commitment to Excellence
Vendor-Agnostic Advice
We’re about making recommendations that serve your interests, not ours. While we hold top-tier certifications—including Microsoft Gold Partner and Dell Platinum Partner—we never let those relationships influence our advice. If another solution is better suited to your needs, we’ll tell you.
Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing
No hidden charges, no surprise invoices. Our Expert Care plans are structured around fixed fees, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. This model encourages proactive support and long-term planning, rather than reactive firefighting.
ACSC Essential Eight Compliance
Cybersecurity is a top concern for Australian businesses. We help clients meet and exceed the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) Essential Eight maturity model through robust endpoint protection, email security, and user awareness training using platforms like KnowBe4 and Blackberry Cylance.
About Our Technology Partnerships
Our partnerships are carefully selected based on performance, reliability, and alignment with our values. These relationships enhance our ability to deliver enterprise-grade solutions tailored to Australian businesses.
Microsoft Gold Partner
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we have advanced expertise in Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, and Defender for Office 365. We help clients migrate securely, optimise licensing, and implement zero-trust architectures.
Dell Platinum Partner
Our Dell Platinum status gives us direct access to Dell’s most advanced technologies and volume pricing. We design and deploy PowerEdge servers, EMC storage, and client devices with full lifecycle management.
Fortinet & Veeam: Security and Resilience
We deploy Fortinet’s Security Fabric for integrated network and endpoint protection. Combined with Veeam for backup and disaster recovery, this creates a resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding ransomware and other threats 2.
About Our Client-Centric Service Model
Every aspect of our service is designed around responsiveness, reliability, and relationship-building.
- Rapid Response: We acknowledge support requests within 15 minutes and prioritise critical issues with urgency.
- 24/7 Support: Our Melbourne-based team provides both remote and on-site assistance around the clock.
- Proactive Maintenance: We monitor your environment continuously to identify and resolve potential issues before they impact operations.
- Client Portal Access: Clients can log tickets, track progress, view reports, and manage users through our secure portal.
We don’t just support your IT—we integrate with your business. Many clients tell us we feel like an extension of their internal team, which is exactly the kind of relationship we aim to build.
About Long-Term Client Relationships
Trust is earned over time. That’s why so many of our clients stay with us for over a decade. We’ve supported businesses through digital transformations, office relocations, mergers and acquisitions, and global disruptions.
Our approach is relationship-led: we take the time to understand your people, your workflows, and your strategic goals. When we recommend a new system or upgrade, it’s because we’ve assessed how it will improve your operations, not because we’re meeting a sales target.
About Our Role in the Melbourne Business Community
Being locally based in Melbourne CBD isn’t just about proximity – it’s about connection. We’re proud to support local organisations like Ronald McDonald House and to contribute to the resilience of Victorian businesses.
We believe in face-to-face collaboration when it matters and seamless remote support when convenience is key. Our hybrid model ensures you get the best of both worlds.
About Taking the Next Step
If you’re looking for an IT partner that’s truly about your success, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re frustrated with your current provider, growing your business, or simply want more proactive support, Intellect IT can help.
Contact us today to learn more about our Expert Care plans and how we can become your trusted technology partner.
We’re not just another IT company – we’re about making a difference in the way Australian businesses use technology.
