NTX aims to represent seamless and stress-free IT that grows alongside the organization. The company is preparing itself and its clients for the arrival of AI agents.
NTX is both a new and highly experienced player in the Belgian ICT sector. Headquartered in Geel, the company was formed in 2022 through a merger of three industry peers: Cavere, Netflow, and Netropolix. The current name NTX was chosen in the spring of 2024. Following various mergers and acquisitions, the NTX name now brings together eleven organizations.
The three founders of NTX were united by a shared vision: IT should be worry-free for businesses. This remains the core value of NTX today, even as the company undergoes significant evolution. At the beginning of this year, Maarten Bovée was appointed as the new CEO. “The merger brought many cultures together. We are transitioning from a generalist model toward more focused specialization in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity.”
From generalist to specialist
Companies can turn to NTX for a wide range of IT support. “In the first phase, we were a managed service provider with services built around proactivity: solving problems before they arise,” says Bovée. “Now, we are further specializing in AI, security, and the Microsoft cloud ecosystem.”
“The arrival of AI agents changes a lot,” he continues. “Anyone can now create apps themselves using vibe coding, but we have 25 years of experience in software development. We use that foundation to deploy those tools safely and build security around them. This extends further into the cloud and across the entire spectrum.”
In NTX’s vision, IT grows with the client. Bovée: “We can quickly apply our model to SMEs starting from ten workstations. For smaller companies without their own IT manager, we even take on that role. We then work together to develop a roadmap to support their growth, based on that proactive approach.”
“As the client grows, there is a good chance that an internal IT team will eventually be established. At that point, our role shifts more toward that of a trusted advisor. So much is happening today that it is impossible to keep track of everything yourself. We hold strategic workshops to look ahead with clients at what’s coming,” says Bovée.
Selling trust
NTX currently has four locations, primarily in the province of Antwerp. As a provider, the company wants to be close to its customers, both literally and figuratively. Bovée: “That is the key to what we do. You cannot achieve that local touch any other way. We don’t just sell IT services; we also sell trust. You have to build that trust together with the client by growing alongside their maturity.”
“In Flanders, there is a lot of competition among MSPs. Everyone has their own strengths, so it’s the personal touch that sets you apart. Many parties are moving toward large corporations, but we consciously remain loyal to our trusted clients. By being close to the customer, we understand their business and their challenges, allowing us to find targeted solutions. You can’t do that from a distance,” says Bovée.
“Maintaining the right focus is at least as important, and perhaps the hardest part of being an IT partner,” he adds. “A lot is changing with our own partners as well. It’s a matter of separating the signal from the noise to continue providing the right advice. You can’t jump on every bandwagon. For smaller players, it can become complex to still get the most out of it.”
OS for AI agents
NTX is not standing still. Under Bovée’s leadership, the company aims to continue deepening its expertise. Their own experiences often serve as a fertile breeding ground for this. “The focus is on internal harmonization following recent acquisitions. We have succeeded in preserving the internal culture. Our original slogan ‘IT in the background’ is evolving into tailored managed services.”
AI will play a major role in NTX’s plans, both internally and for clients. Bovée explains: “Internally, we want to innovate into an ‘AI-enabled’ service provider, but we also want to guide clients through that transformation. A wave of AI agents is coming our way. Parties like Microsoft are working on developing an entire operating system around them.”
“An LLM is just the foundation. Now come the steps that provide real added value, but many companies are still in that first phase. Many solutions from the big players are aimed at large enterprises. It is up to companies like ours to translate that for the SME market,” he adds.
Life insurance
Bovée warns that AI agents will also have major implications for corporate security. “AI agents will bring their own LLMs with them. That is not easy to secure. You could have set everything up perfectly three years ago, but AI agents can bypass traditional security. MFA alone will no longer be enough. Just look at Claude Mythos: people don’t fully understand what it means when this is released.”
Yet NTX still often has to emphasize the basic principles. “Sixty to seventy percent of attacks today are identity attacks. But we still often have to convince clients to implement MFA. Another aspect that is often forgotten is disaster recovery. It is seen as an afterthought in the market, but a good recovery strategy remains your best life insurance,” Bovée concludes.
Disaster recovery is seen as an afterthought, but it is your best life insurance.
Maarten Bovée, CEO NTX
In the ‘ICT in Belgium’ series, we focus on local, Belgian players in the sector. Do you want to discover more Belgian specialists? Here you will find all the interviews from the series.