How BlueTie Built Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance from Scratch for MIles Stones PVT Investment Advisors
When Mark Buscher and his team at Miles Stones PVT Investment Advisors launched their independent practice in the Rochester, NY area after decades in a large financial services firm, they needed to build everything from scratch — including technology infrastructure. The systems at their previous employer were outdated and inadequate. For their new practice, they had a choice: replicate the same frustrating infrastructure, or build a completely new IT environment designed specifically for their business. They chose to build from scratch.
But managing sensitive financial data requires more than new equipment. It demands custom IT infrastructure, robust cybersecurity, and a partner who understands the unique challenges of boutique financial advisory firms.
BlueTie delivered exactly that: a completely customized technology environment that gave Miles Stones autonomy over their business applications, robust protection for sensitive data, and the consistent system reliability the practice depends on.
Starting a Financial Advisory Practice Without Technology Holding You Back
After decades of operating within a large financial services firm, the Miles Stones team was ready for independence. But independence meant building everything from scratch, including technology infrastructure. The systems at their previous employer were outdated and inadequate. The network was slow. Software was running two generations behind. Business applications weren’t functioning effectively. This outdated technology created frustration and inefficiency across the entire operation.
For Mark and his team, being “stuck in the past” was as real as the technical problems. Slow systems limited productivity and flexibility. Legacy infrastructure at their previous firm had held them back. Now, building their own practice, they refused to recreate that frustration.
The real challenge went deeper than just replacing old equipment. Miles Stones needed to solve multiple, interconnected problems:
Mark had strong technical knowledge and a clear vision of what Miles Stones needed. But translating that vision into a secure, scalable IT infrastructure required a partner who could move beyond standard vendor solutions and actually listen to the business requirements.
Face-to-Face Partnership That Translated Business Needs into Technical Reality
BlueTie took a fundamentally different approach than typical managed service providers. Rather than pushing pre-packaged solutions with inflexible pricing, Rob and his team worked directly with Mark to design and build custom IT infrastructure specifically for Miles Stones’ operational and security requirements.
The engagement started with genuine collaboration. Rob’s local presence in the Rochester area made face-to-face planning sessions possible. This wasn’t a transaction. Mark guided the business requirements while Rob translated them into technical reality. Step-by-step, they designed and implemented a solution where each component was tested and adjusted to ensure peak performance and compatibility with the firm’s goals.
Key Solutions Delivered:
Personalized, Consultative Approach to IT Infrastructure
The solution worked because BlueTie treated this as a true partnership, not a transactional vendor engagement. Instead of forcing Miles Stones into generic, one-size-fits-all infrastructure, the team built a flexible system architecture that fit their unique business needs.
The key differentiator was simple: BlueTie listened. They didn’t try to fit Miles Stones into a pre-built mold. They asked the right questions, understood the business, and designed technology specifically to support it. This personalized, consultative approach meant Miles Stones retained full autonomy over their technology decisions while benefiting from expert guidance and strong security protocols.
Mark captures the difference perfectly:
“Rob’s greatest asset is that not everything is a nail, and he’s not a hammer. He works with you to come up with the right solution for what you’re trying to achieve. He’s a great problem-solver. Rob and his team are not intimidating. Even if you don’t understand the technical side, you never feel talked down to. His style makes it an easier and more comfortable dynamic to work with. He’s not salesy; you never feel like they’re imposing on you.”
Beyond the technical execution, something unexpected happened. A strong friendship formed through the collaboration. The partnership feels supportive and down-to-earth in a way that typical vendor relationships never do. This is valuable when you’re building a business and need technology support you can actually trust.
Measurable Outcomes That Exceed Industry Standards
The custom IT infrastructure delivered measurable results that a generic, pre-packaged solution could never have achieved:
Cost Savings: Miles Stones saved thousands of dollars over the years compared to other managed solutions. Other firms offered expensive, prepackaged solutions with inflexible pricing that wouldn’t achieve the same goals. BlueTie’s custom approach meant paying for what they actually needed.
Excellent Uptime: The system delivers consistent reliability with minimal downtime or disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted service.
No Security Issues or Breaches: The infrastructure was verified by a friend in cybersecurity who confirmed the system is “tighter than most banks.” For a financial advisory firm handling sensitive client data, this verification provided concrete proof that their security posture exceeds industry standards.
Streamlined Operations: Efficient, reliable systems that integrate seamlessly with the firm’s actual workflow, eliminating the complexity and frustration of managing multiple disjointed vendors.
Responsive Support: Any minor issue is quickly resolved by Rob and his team. There are no ticket queues or waiting for large vendor support lines. Direct communication and immediate attention.
Beyond the metrics, the partnership itself became a strategic advantage. The relationship with BlueTie feels fundamentally different from typical vendor relationships. There’s trust, responsiveness, and genuine collaboration built on understanding the business rather than pushing products. Mark and his team know they have a partner they can rely on for ongoing maintenance and support as they continue building their practice.
Whether you’re leaving a larger firm to start a boutique financial advisory practice, transitioning to independence, protecting sensitive client data, or frustrated with generic solutions from large tech companies that treat small businesses as afterthoughts, BlueTie designs custom IT infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions tailored to your unique business needs.
We don’t sell pre-packaged systems. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We build partnerships with financial advisors, accounting firms, law practices, and small businesses in the Rochester area and beyond that need more than generic technology vendor relationships.
We understand that every practice is different. That’s why we collaborate directly with you to understand your vision, translate your business requirements into technical reality, and build infrastructure that actually supports how you work.
Schedule a Discovery Call today and learn how BlueTie can design a secure IT environment built specifically for your independent practice.
