What is a fractional CTO?

A fractional CTO is an experienced technology leader who works with your business part time. You get strategy, planning and vendor oversight without the cost of a full-time executive.

What is the difference between a fractional CTO and a virtual CIO (vCIO)?

The terms overlap. A vCIO usually focuses on IT operations and budgets, while a fractional CTO also covers technology strategy and product decisions. Big Sky Telecom's engagements cover both.

How do fractional CTO engagements work?

We offer three models: a monthly retainer, hourly advisory, or a project-based engagement with a defined scope. Request a quote and we will recommend the right fit.

Who is a fractional CTO for?

Growing Montana businesses that have outgrown ad-hoc IT decisions but do not need, or cannot yet justify, a full-time technology executive.

Do I need to be a managed IT client?

No. Fractional CTO services are available on their own, though clients who also use our managed IT and phone services get one team that both plans and runs their technology.

IT Strategy · Fractional CTO · vCIO

Fractional CTO Services for Montana Businesses

Technology leadership without a full-time executive salary. Big Sky Telecom's fractional CTO and virtual CIO services give growing Montana businesses a technology roadmap, vendor oversight and a plan for what comes next.

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What a Fractional CTO Does

IT strategy consulting for Montana businesses that need direction, not just support tickets.

Technology Roadmap

A 12 to 36 month plan for your systems, tied to your business goals, so technology spending stops being reactive.

Vendor & Contract Review

We review your software, telecom and IT contracts, find overlap and renegotiate or consolidate where it saves money.

Budgeting & TCO

Hardware lifecycles, licensing and total cost of ownership, planned a year ahead instead of discovered at renewal.

Security & Compliance Planning

A security and compliance plan sized to your risk, including HIPAA for healthcare and confidentiality for legal practices.

Owner & Board Reporting

Plain-language updates on where technology stands, what it costs and what comes next.

How Engagements Work

Three ways to work together. Pricing depends on scope, so every engagement starts with a quote.

Monthly Retainer

Ongoing strategic leadership: regular planning sessions, vendor management and a standing seat in your leadership meetings.

Hourly

Expert advice when you need it, for a decision, a vendor evaluation or a second opinion.

Project-Based

A defined scope and deliverable, such as an IT assessment, a cloud migration plan or a phone system replacement.

Who It's For

Growing small and mid-size businesses without an IT leader: practices, firms, nonprofits and multi-location companies making decisions about cloud, security, phones and software with no one owning the big picture.

Why a Local Fractional CTO

Your fractional CTO works with the same Missoula team that runs managed IT and business phone systems for Montana businesses. The plan gets made by people who also carry it out.

Led by Sean Cooper, Founder

Sean founded Big Sky Telecom in Missoula after founding and running Daeta Technologies in Kirkland, Washington. He holds more than 350 certifications, with training in ITIL and IT service management, PMP project management, CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA and CCNP, and Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

Fractional CTO FAQ

Get a Technology Roadmap for Your Business

Tell us where your business is headed. We will tell you what your technology needs to get there.

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