I started off as level 1 helpdesk at a software company in 1999. I was given some mundane tasks which involved logging into different servers, getting data, manipulating that data and storing it someplace. I quickly realized that this method was not the most efficient way of performing this task and that it was prone to human error. I wrote a little batch file to automate the process and turned a job that was about 45 minutes of careful and tedious work into double-click and watch the computer do all the work.

It wasn't very long before I was being asked to automate other tasks. I quickly moved up the ladder to level 3 support and took over the role of network administrator. Soon I was asked to synchronize Outlook data with another application. This required me actually learning a programing language which was Visual Basic (or VB).

A little later, the dot.com bust came and my job was a casualty of that recession. I then found employment as an I.T. Manager at a local Architectural office. I spent the next 5 years maturing my system administrative skills and using my programing skills to really automate these systems. I also learned a great deal about networking during this time.

No longer feeling challenged with this position I began seeking other opportunities and found new employment as Director of I.T. at another Architectural firm. This was an excellent move for me. I was able to research and introduce new technologies. I also walked into some very large projects. One of these projects was a large budget DRBC (Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity) project. This involved using many technologies that I had not previously been exposed to. It utilized NetApp SANs, Citrix VDI, and VMWare ESX. It was very exciting, very challenging, and it was my first order of business in this new position.

Shortly after this came the housing bust recession. Architectural firms were hit harder than most other industries. Now I faced a new challenge of helping keep the company alive by reducing the I.T. budget while continuing to improve I.T. at the same time. I often would actually decrease cost and increase service. On more than one occasion, my boss, the CFO, would ask “How did you do that?!” I ended up improving the infrastructure and reducing the I.T. budget by over $100,000 per year.

I have gained a fantastic background, understanding user level issues, business management level issues, and financial issues. I actually still consult for that first company I started with back in 1999.

What I bring to the table is great, caring and respectful customer service and support, a keen business sense, and creative solutions. I know the technologies that are available, am well connected within the I.T. Industry and can think outside the box when it makes sense to do so. I can help you improve your operations and lower you costs at the same time.

I look forward to meeting with you, learning about your current I.T. situation and how it relates to your business, and showing you how to improve your bottom line by taking advantage of what good Information Technology has to offer.

--Dave Bauer