SOLID SOLUTIONS Info Solutions is off to a strong start, despite battling economic headwinds By Doug Rainey, Delaware Business Ledger August 2009 ----------------------- 2008 might not have been the best year to launch Info Solutions. Then again, it might have been the right time. The information technology consulting firm, after going into full operation in February 2008, posted a profit for that year. The current environment forces the start-up to focus on the bottom line, says Info Solutions Managing Partner Mark Olazagasti. Olazagasti says the company is well positioned to profit from any economic recovery, but sees growth opportunities, even in the current environment. He describes Info Solutions as an IT infrastructure integration and management firm. "At some point the client will have to invest in their infrastructure. We’re trying to position ourself for that time. The economy did not help," Olazagasti says of the company's growth plans. Not an option was adding bodies and waiting for the business to come along. So far, the news has not been encouraging. Earlier in the summer, Forester Research revised its projected decline in IT spending in 2009 from 3 percent below 2008 to minus 5 percent, Market Watch reported. Starting out with a staff of five, the firm is now up to six full-time employees and one part-timer. Projections call for eight to 10 employees by year-end. The company is self-financed, with lines of credit available. ... Info Solutions focuses on organizations with head counts of 35 or more. "Our sweet spot is 100 to 500 employees," Olazagasti adds. The company's typical client has an information technology staff, but "doesn't have time to understand all the technologies. We complement or augment their IT staff," Olazagasti says. Olazagasti agrees that IT budgets have been pared as companies ride out the economic downturn. (Some companies report they are faring better than their counterparts in other industries as they pick up outsourced work.) Still, the emphasis is on projects with a quick return on investment, he says. Opportunities to make those investments include using the Internet for telephone and data systems and consolidating the number of servers as a way to reduce expenses. Olazagasti also notes that technology is advancing during the downturn. "Whatever we do will change in three years or even three months," he says. ... Asked about what the veteran staff has learned over the years, Olazagasti says: "The biggest thing we took is the focus on the client. We’ve gotten back to those basics.” In the meantime, the new company "feels very comfortable doing business in Delaware," Olazagasti says. "A lot of people are willing to help." The company is currently housed in a business incubator sponsored by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. "It’s a two-year program, with very affordable rent, office services and you are assigned a mentor to advise you. This has been very helpful for us," Olazagasti says. ... "It's important to be involved in the community," Olazagasti says. He points to his involvement in the Open Net Foundation, a group that raises money to address childhood related diseases and conditions. The company also has nonprofit clients, including Children and Families First and senior services provider, Ingleside. What does the young company see in the future? "I could see us being a 35 to 50 person company, with the focus being on profitability rather than top-line revenue," Olazagasti says. ---------------------------- Used by permission from the Delaware Business Ledger.