CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for computer systems design services firms in Montana
126 computer systems design services firms operated in Montana in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 126CBP 2023
- Employees
- 1,060mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 11.1U.S. 17.1
- State rank
- 47th of 51by count
The IT services firm industry in Montana
The Census Bureau counted 126 computer systems design services firms in Montana in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541512). They employed 1,060 people in mid-March and reported $92.7 million in annual payroll. That is the 47th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Computer systems design services firms make up 0.30% of the 42,566 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Montana has 11.1 computer systems design services firms, 35.2% below the national rate of 17.1. The average establishment has 8.4 employees against 13.2 nationally. Payroll per employee is $87,426, 28.4% below the U.S. figure of $122,171.
| Measure | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 126 | 58,113 |
| Mid-March employees | 1,060 | 766,160 |
| Annual payroll | $92,672,000 | $93,602,442,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 8.4 | 13.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $87,426 | $122,171 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 11.1 | 17.1 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Computer systems design services firms by metro area in Montana
Census published IT services firm counts for 6 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Montana. The largest is Bozeman, MT, with 24 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 73% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 24 | 97 | 18.9 |
| Billings, MT | 18 | 99 | 9.3 |
| Helena, MT | 18 | 103 | 18.6 |
| Missoula, MT | 16 | — | 12.5 |
| Kalispell, MT | 12 | 19 | 10.5 |
| Great Falls, MT | 4 | — | 4.7 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at computer systems design services firms in Montana
79.0% of Montana's computer systems design services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 74.5% nationally. 91.1% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 98 | 79.0% | 74.5% |
| 5–9 employees | 15 | 12.1% | 9.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 6 | 4.8% | 6.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 4.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What computer systems design services firms in Montana use the phone for
Managed IT and systems integration firms field support calls that range from a forgotten password to a server outage. Clients judge them by how quickly someone answers when something breaks.
Calls an IT services firm in Montana might handle in a typical week include:
- A vendor calls about a hardware order.
- A client calls because email is down for the whole office.
- A prospect calls to ask about managed IT.
What computer systems design services firms text about
IT firms text maintenance windows and ticket updates.
Texting from a local number in Montana requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs an IT services firm in Montana
Computer systems design services firms in Montana average 8.4 employees, so the comparison uses an 8-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $199.60 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $240.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $159.00 a month for 8 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $972 less than RingCentral for an IT services firm in Montana of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $159.00 | $1,908.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $152.00 | $1,824.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $184.00 | $2,208.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $199.60 | $2,395.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $216.00 | $2,592.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $240.00 | $2,880.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Montana
Montana has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so an IT services firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 754 | Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for computer systems design services firms in Montana
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Montana is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many computer systems design services firms are in Montana?
126 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 1,060 people in mid-March.
Which Montana metro area has the most computer systems design services firms?
Bozeman, MT, with 24 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost an 8-person IT services firm?
$240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $159.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Montana number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.