From Melbourne roots to Australia's most awarded mid-market IT services provider
Every great company starts with a belief. For blueAPACHE, that belief was that technology should help organisations grow, adapt and succeed without unnecessary complexity. What began in Melbourne in 1998 has grown into Australia's most awarded mid-market IT services provider, helping organisations across Australia and internationally improve performance, strengthen security and outpace change.
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The story behind blueAPACHE
What started as a simple idea became a business built on innovation, accountability and long-term partnership. In the late 1990s, founder Chris Marshall recognised that technology was becoming increasingly important to business success, but also increasingly complex to manage. His vision was simple: create a technology company that focused on customer outcomes, accountability and long-term partnerships. What began in shared office space with a handful of customers has grown into Australia's most awarded mid-market IT services provider, but the philosophy remains unchanged.
Chris Marshall's Founder Story
blueAPACHE was founded in 1998 on a belief that was years ahead of its time: technology should be delivered as a service, with accountability for business outcomes, not just technology. While the concept was still emerging, founder Chris Marshall saw an opportunity to simplify IT and create a new model built around partnership, ownership and results. Nearly three decades later, that vision has grown into one of Australia's most awarded mid-market IT services providers, helping organisations outpace change through managed services, cloud, security and IT operations excellence.
1998
blueAPACHE is founded in Melbourne
Founded from a spare bedroom in Vermont South with a vision to make enterprise-grade technology more accessible and accountable.
2003
The emPOWER vision takes shape
blueAPACHE launches emPOWER Facilities Management, followed by emPOWER Managed Services, establishing the foundations for what would become IT as a Service.
2010
The launch of emPOWER Cloud and emPOWER Network
blueAPACHE expands beyond managed services, launching emPOWER Cloud and building the emPOWER Network to deliver greater control, resilience and service integration.
2012
Expansion of the IT as a Service portfolio
The business expands into voice and disaster recovery services, continuing the evolution of the emPOWER platform.
2017
100 employees and international growth
blueAPACHE reaches 100 staff and continues expanding its capabilities and customer footprint.
2019
Global expansion and industry recognition
The London Point of Presence goes live and blueAPACHE receives its first ARN Innovation Award, beginning a period of sustained industry recognition.
2020
Global infrastructure continues to expand
The Singapore Point of Presence goes live, strengthening the company's international reach and connectivity capabilities.
2023
25 years of blueAPACHE
The business celebrates 25 years of helping organisations improve performance, strengthen security and navigate change through technology. The same year, blueAPACHE receives the Canalys APAC Innovation Award, recognising its leadership in customer innovation.
2026
Launch of IT Operations Excellence as a Service
blueAPACHE evolves the emPOWER portfolio to help organisations improve performance, strengthen security and reduce operational complexity through automation-led operations, real-time visibility and one accountable operating model.
Today
Australia's most awarded mid-market IT services provider
Supporting organisations across Australia and internationally through integrated managed services, cloud, security, connectivity, collaboration, procurement, Microsoft technologies and advisory services. More than 90 industry awards. 28+ years of IT operations leadership. One accountable operating model.
Built to Help Organisations Outpace Change
Technology has changed dramatically since 1998. The mission has not. Today, blueAPACHE delivers integrated managed services, cloud, security, connectivity, collaboration, procurement, Microsoft technologies and advisory services through one accountable operating model. Our customers rely on us to simplify complexity, strengthen security and create technology foundations that support growth, resilience and long-term success.
Security first. Automation led. Fully integrated delivery.
The journey is just beginning.
Our mission remains clear: To emPOWER our clients to outpace change; turning secure, reliable access into a launchpad for automation, transformation and long-term resilience. As technology continues to evolve, blueAPACHE remains committed to helping organisations navigate change with confidence through accountable service, technical excellence and long-term partnership.
"I'm incredibly proud of what blueAPACHE has become. With the right people by your side, anything is possible. We've come a long way, and this journey is just beginning."
Chris Marshall, Founder & Managing Director
Ready to Outpace Change?
Partner with blueAPACHE to improve performance, strengthen security and reduce operational complexity through one accountable operating model. Whether you're strengthening cyber resilience, improving operational performance, modernising infrastructure or rethinking how technology supports your business, our team is ready to help.