IT’s the Job: Mike

Describe your work’s purpose and how you contribute to the company’s mission of Winning With IT.

At the end of the day, Dataprise as a whole strives to solve problems for our customers. The purpose of my particular position is to help provide strategy in identifying solutions for problems that ail our customers. Beyond that, collaborating with other teams at Dataprise to make our solutions come to life is how I do my P.A.R.T.

In what ways do you find fulfillment in the work that you do at Dataprise?

I love problem-solving. understanding defined business requirements and identifying an appropriate solution. Then, watching projects come to fruition and the recommendations we made as a whole work to better serve the customer.

What is a typical day like for you at Dataprise?

Working alongside, or in front of, the customer. As a vCIO, the majority of my time is spent understanding the customers business and identifying gaps where IT solutions can create needed efficiencies. Along with that, developing strategy for future engagements and project management of ongoing initiatives.

Tell me about the most challenging engineering or technical project that you have been involved with during the past year.

Replacing “Edge Devices”, more specifically Cisco ASA Firewalls, at all of a customer’s international locations and integrating all sites with FirePOWER. It really took the collective effort of several internal Dataprise teams and coordination with a number of international 3rd party vendors to ensure that project went off without a hitch.

What made you decide to move into a technical role for your career?

I saw value in the efficiencies that different technologies could create in the business world. I enjoy working with the business savvy customers to understand their requirements and then working with the engineers to deliver well designed solutions.

Technical capabilities aside, what soft skills make you successful in your role?

Personality, Leadership and Communication

What do you think Dataprise does to stay on the cutting-edge of technology?

To re-brand a quote from one of my favorite movies, Tommy Boy, “In IT, you’re either growing or you’re dying. There ain’t no third direction” – Big Tom Callahan….sort of. Dataprise has always done its due diligence when it comes to ensuring that our personnel is at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. We constantly push one and other to find better, more secure, more impactful, more budget conscious solutions for our customers. Additionally, Executive Management has carved out budget and time for the staff to explore, learn and ultimately certify in areas that will benefit the employee, the organization and most importantly our customers.

Describe Dataprise in 3 words.

Diverse, smart, and passionate.