In an industry often defined by hardware and code, Michael Werblun argues that the most critical component of IT is the person using it. As the CEO of Buchanan Technologies, Werblun leads a global IT services provider that balances high-tier technical depth with a "people-first" methodology known as “The Buchanan Way.” With an established track record of scaling technology organizations and achieving multiple successful exits for investors, Werblun was appointed in late 2025 to steer the 35-year-old firm through its next chapter of global expansion.

Werblun’s leadership is grounded in the principles of continuous improvement, focusing on delivering measurable outcomes across cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications. Under his direction, Buchanan has leveraged its North American roots to build a 24/7 "follow-the-sun" delivery model that serves more than 500 clients worldwide. In this conversation with The Consulting Report, Werblun discusses the transition from founder-led to scale-led growth, the deliberate application of "practical" AI, and why the growth of his people is the ultimate metric of organizational success. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Consulting Report: Can you provide an overview of your firm’s areas of specialization?

Michael Werblun: Buchanan Technologies is an award-winning managed IT services provider founded in 1988. With 800+ certified professionals and a global presence, we help mid-market and enterprise organizations transform technology into a strategic advantage across infrastructure and enterprise applications.

Operating across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Buchanan delivers measurable outcomes—including reduced cloud spend, improved uptime, faster incident resolution, and enhanced user satisfaction. We serve key industries such as healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality, aligning solutions to each sector’s regulatory and operational needs.

Our core specializations include enterprise applications (Oracle, Microsoft, AWS), cloud and infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity, digital workplace, data and integration, and AI-driven automation. We differentiate through deep enterprise application expertise combined with managed services, enabling continuous optimization—not just support. Our global, follow-the-sun delivery model and ITIL-aligned framework ensure scalability, transparency, and ongoing improvement.

With a 97% customer satisfaction rating, 14+ year average client tenure, and proven success stories, including significant cost savings and performance gains, Buchanan consistently delivers measurable business value.

The Consulting Report: How does your firm differentiate itself from competitors?

Michael Werblun: Buchanan Technologies stands out by combining North American roots with a truly global delivery model. Being North America-based allows us to stay close to our clients, while our global presence gives us the scale and flexibility to support complex environments.

Our follow-the-sun approach provides 24/7/365 coverage, helping clients maintain continuity and resolve issues quickly, regardless of time zone. We also offer an extensive onsite technician network, with coverage across most U.S. and Canadian zip and postal codes, ensuring hands-on support when it’s needed.

Technically, we bring deep expertise across enterprise platforms like Oracle, Microsoft, and AWS, allowing us to not just support systems, but continuously optimize them. Our global footprint also enables flexible delivery options—onshore, nearshore, or offshore—so clients can balance cost, responsiveness, and scale.

At the core, what differentiates Buchanan is our ability to pair that flexibility and expertise with a long-term, client-focused approach that prioritizes measurable outcomes over one-size-fits-all solutions.

The Consulting Report: Are there one or two major client projects that you are particularly proud of and that help demonstrate your firm's capabilities?

Michael Werblun: For a large multi‑location restaurant chain, we optimized IT systems and enterprise applications by assessing infrastructure, streamlining software licenses, and standardizing deployments. The result was measurable cost savings within their Oracle environment, improved system performance, and a repeatable governance model. The full case study with results can be seen here.

An example on the infrastructure side was the work we did for a global accounting organization. They came to us considering an outsourced solution, but were not sure it was feasible. We helped transform their IT service desk and user support. By centralizing support, standardizing processes, and introducing automation for common requests, we reduced resolution times, improved user satisfaction, and achieved extensive operational cost savings, with more continuous improvement on the future roadmap. Details of that engagement can be found here.

The Consulting Report: How would you describe your firm's culture?

Michael Werblun: Our culture has been shaped by a strong foundation established by our Founder, Jim Buchanan, and rooted in five core principles: People Matter, Clients Matter, Principles Matter, Community Matters, and Every Interaction Matters. These values have long guided how Buchanan serves our clients, supports our employees, and builds lasting relationships.

As we look ahead, our leadership team is focused on building from that foundational core but expanding and evolving our culture to drive even more meaningful outcomes for both our customers and our teams. This includes celebrating both customer and employee growth, fostering a culture of empowerment for our internal staff, and [creating] momentum for our customers by enabling our people to do their best work.

By aligning the success of our employees with the success of our customers, we create an environment where excellence scales naturally—driven by accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering impact.

“We’re intentional about not being ‘AI-first.’ Stability and performance come first.”

The Consulting Report: How is AI changing client expectations around managed IT services?

Michael Werblun: AI has not dramatically changed the types of mandates we are hired for, but it has absolutely raised expectations. Clients now expect AI to be part of the conversation for continued improvement, and our teams’ role is to apply it in ways that are practical, meaningful, and low risk.

As a managed services provider, we’re intentional about not being “AI-first.” Our priority is delivering consistent, reliable service. We’re not going to jeopardize a client’s environment to experiment with emerging technology. Stability and performance come first.

Where AI does play a role is in enhancing how we deliver services—improving efficiency, accelerating response times, and providing better visibility through data. We focus on applying it where it creates real business value without disrupting operations. At the same time, we’re actively investing in AI and working closely with industry leaders like Gartner to stay ahead of the curve. Our approach is deliberate: adopt AI where it makes sense, prove the value, and scale it responsibly.

“My role is not to micromanage, but to set direction, remove barriers, and enable others to lead.”

The Consulting Report: Is there a book, mentor, or mantra that has influenced how you lead your organization?

Michael Werblun: While no single book defines my leadership style, I’ve been deeply influenced by the principles of continuous improvement, particularly the Kaizen philosophy. I believe great organizations are built by creating an environment where people feel empowered, heard, and accountable.

That starts with flattening traditional hierarchies and fostering both top-down clarity and bottom-up communication, so ideas, insights, and innovation can come from anywhere. Strong leadership, in my view, is grounded in trust—trusting your team and trusting data and facts to guide decisions.

My role is not to micromanage, but to set direction, remove barriers, and enable others to lead. Ultimately, I measure success by the growth of our people. When individuals develop to the point of pursuing larger opportunities, it’s a reflection of a healthy, forward-moving organization.