Abbott Business Networks, LLC shifts business model to consulting

GILMANTON IRON WORKS — Nate Abbott, the principal consultant of Abbott Business Networks, LLC, an IT firm, has recently shifted his model from an implementation and support service to consulting.

Formerly a firm with up to five employees that installed computer networks and offered on-site support and maintenance as needed, the model for Abbott Business Networks shifted after a client with 100 employees was acquired by a larger entity with its own IT service provider.

Abbott Business Networks will now be comprised of Abbott and his wife, Betty Ann Abbott, who provides bookkeeping and accounting services for the business.

Nate Abbott offers predominantly remote support — and on-premises, as needed — for businesses with roughly 100 networked devices and larger businesses that would like a dedicated resource focused on security, disaster recovery infrastructure, virtualization or AI.

“I still answer calls for help from clients with a range of technology needs. I have a tool kit and can manage a desktop remotely and resolve issues from a malware spoof to a nonfunctioning printer, email issues or security breaches,” Abbott said. “Those are the kinds of problems I love to unwrap.”

Abbott has been in business for 29 years and has worked in a range of industries, including healthcare, tax support, legal, manufacturing, financial, PR and marketing, publishing, marine and RV and the nonprofit arena.

“The thing I’ve done the most is solve network problems for which there is no road map,” he said.

Early on in his career, beginning in 1986, Abbott was a senior system engineer for businesses that included Xerox, Bank of Tokyo Financial and Charter Systems. While successful, he became uninspired by working with internal corporate clients and wanted to work directly with business owners who have a direct stake in the outcomes.

Abbott founded Iron Works Technology Consultants in 1998 and began helping entrepreneurs set up and manage their computer networks, sourcing and maintaining everything from the computers themselves to the cables, Wi-Fi, Ethernet switches and routers.

“When you solve a tech problem for a small business owner, you’re giving them a piece of their life back or a way to pay themselves more money. That’s really my guiding principle: How do I make you more successful and happier?” Abbott said. “Because technology is the thing that frequently takes the joy out of running a business.”

Over the years, he has adapted to new technology platforms and helped his clients adapt as well.

In 2006, the business name changed to Abbott Business Networks, LLC. Around 2000, Abbott began helping clients migrate their systems to software bundles like Microsoft Small Business Server and products like it. By 2010, those systems were being replaced with platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and he continues to operate on these platforms.

He also helps clients adapt to AI.

“I cut my teeth on system infrastructure in the early days, and then I marched along with it as it’s moved to the cloud,” he said. “I’m working with all of my clients on how we adapt. How do we perform with AI?”

Abbott is also active in the community.

He served as selectman in Gilmanton from 2000 to 2006; as a volunteer, board member and Chair for Future In Sight, previously the New Hampshire Association for the Blind; and as a volunteer instructor and board member for Lakes Region Disabled Sports.

Abbott currently sits on the Zoning Board of Adjustment in Gilmanton.

For more information, visit abbottbiznet.com.