Comparison · vs SHI International
An SHI managed services alternative that starts with your IT strategy
SHI handles licensing at a scale we do not try to match. Strategy is a different engagement.
SHI International vs Topping Technologies, and who each one is best for
SHI International
SHI International is a very large national reseller and licensing specialist with deep procurement and software-asset-management strength. Managed services sit alongside a procurement-led core.
Best fit
Large-scale catalog purchasing and software licensing.
Topping Technologies
Topping Technologies is a DFW-native MSP and MSSP where strategy-driven managed IT and security are the whole business, run by one named local team, with a published SLA and one bill.
Best fit
Businesses that want strategy and day-to-day outcomes owned for them.
Side by side
| SHI International | Topping Technologies | |
|---|---|---|
| Published SLA | Varies by contract; no single public standard | Published: P1 15-min response, engineer within 1 hour; miss → service credit |
| DFW local office / presence | National footprint, based outside DFW | Headquartered in Plano, TX; on-site across North Texas |
| MSP + MSSP together | Procurement-led; managed services alongside | Managed IT and security from one team, one bill |
| Account-team continuity | Account-rep model can rotate | Named local team that does not churn |
| Vendor-neutral procurement | Reseller and licensing across many vendors | Vendor-neutral across IT and security procurement |
| Response-time commitment | Defined per contract | Published tiered response times for every priority level |
| Best-fit company size | Mid-market to large enterprise, procurement-led | SMB to mid-market (roughly 10–500 seats) |
The honest take
When SHI International is the right call
- Your priority is large-scale software licensing, renewals, and software-asset management, where SHI is genuinely strong.
- You buy hardware and software at catalog scale and want a single, experienced procurement partner across many vendors.
- You already run mature internal IT and mainly need procurement plus a few selective services.
When Topping is the right call
- You want a partner that sets and runs the strategy, meaning the roadmap, security, and day-to-day operations, with buying as just one small piece.
- You are a North Texas business that wants a named local team, same-day on-site, and one accountable partner for IT and security.
- You want a written SLA and transparent pricing before signing, with IT and security on a single bill.
From a business that made the switch
“SHI handled our licensing brilliantly, but we still had no one steering the actual IT strategy. Bringing in a local managed team gave us a roadmap and someone accountable day to day.”
Director of operations, 85-seat mid-market firm in DFW (illustrative)
Illustrative example pending a signed customer release. Real, named switch stories replace this as Topping collects them.
Frequently asked questions
How does Topping compare to SHI for managed services?
SHI is a very large national reseller and licensing specialist whose strength is procurement and software-asset management; managed services sit alongside that core. Topping is a DFW MSP/MSSP where strategy-driven managed IT and security are the entire business, delivered by a named local team with a published SLA.
Should I keep SHI for licensing and use Topping for managed services?
That is a common and sensible split. SHI is excellent at large-scale licensing and procurement; Topping owns strategy, operations, and security. Many clients keep major purchasing where the buying power is and let a local MSP own the managed relationship.
Does Topping publish an SLA?
Yes. P1 gets a 15-minute response with an engineer within one hour, P2 30 minutes, P3 four business hours, and a service credit if we miss a committed response. SHI service levels are defined per contract, so compare the specific terms offered.
Is Topping local to DFW?
Yes. We are headquartered in Plano with engineers on-site across North Texas. SHI operates at national scale, so for buyers who want someone on the ground here, that local presence is the main difference.
Can Topping handle both IT and cybersecurity?
Yes, from one team and one bill: managed IT, help desk, cloud, and a full security practice including managed detection and response, with strategy and roadmap built in.
What size company is Topping best for?
Roughly 10 to 500 seats, SMB through mid-market. Large enterprises whose primary need is catalog-scale licensing may be better served by SHI.
Related
Not sure we're the right fit? A short call will tell you.
Book a no-pressure 30-minute fit call. We'll give you a straight answer on whether Topping is right for your situation, and if someone else is the better fit, we'll point you their way.