Startup Business? Get IT right, in the Cloud

Have Cloud based software services matured sufficiently to allow startup companies to establish operations with absolutely no internal IT systems? Mr. Florin will explore this topic in detail and provide early stage companies with food for thought when it comes to implementing their internal IT strategy.

The allure of having the entire IT infrastructure in the Cloud includes lower internal headcount, operational efficiencies and ease of supporting today’s more dispersed and often virtual workforce. Since startups come with no baggage they are in a unique position to implement a fully Cloud strategy from the get go.

Mr. Florin will drill down on the specific IT portfolio requirements for startup businesses in a variety of industries including services, high tech, retail, distribution/wholesale and manufacturing. The software categories that will be covered include communication, collaboration, content management, time/billing, accounting and full-blown enterprise resource planning (ERP) for industries that require it.

After walking through the IT portfolio required for a startup company, Mr. Florin will outline a series of technologies that are currently available to meet those needs and drill down into the feature set of several of the leading Cloud based offerings.

While the technology may be available, startup businesses must also consider whether it makes sense for them to operate entirely in the Cloud. Mr. Florin will explore the business and strategic considerations of internal IT versus Cloud, including operational efficiency, cultural acceptance and corporate responsibility.

Lastly, he will show detailed total cost of ownership models for startup businesses that compare an internal IT approach to a Zero IT approach, including up-front capital investment costs and operating costs such as maintenance, support and internal staffing.

To summarize and provide attendees a tool they can use for their own company, Mr. Florin will provide startups a checklist for them to utilize when launching with Zero IT.