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October 25, 2004

Virtual IT | A chat with Rob McDaniel, founder of Atlantec Computer Consulting in Falmouth.

By Dorothy Ogrodowczyk
Founded: February 2004
Projected revenues, year one: $50,000
Projected revenues, year two: $65,000
Address: 105 Sunset Rd., Ste. 1, Falmouth
Phone: 899-2391
Web: www.atlantec.us

Describe what your company does.
Atlantec Computer Consulting is a computer services business. We provide network support, training, systems design, software development and website development. We like to work with small- to medium-sized businesses. These businesses don't need a full-time IT person. I like to say we're a virtual IT department.

How many employees do you have?
One. I have consultants that work for me, [for instance] to install voice and data cabling, and I partner with other Web designers. I also have an intern from St. Joseph's College, a marketing major with an IT background, who works about eight hours a week for me.

When did you first get the idea for the company?
I was first introduced to computers in elementary school. A relative of mine worked for IBM, so he introduced me to the PC. In college, [I studied] business administration and information systems. I had a dream to own a computer services business. I've worked as a computer consultant since 1994.

What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
The biggest challenge is marketing the company, getting known in the business community and getting people to learn about the services that I offer. Bringing on new clients is always a challenge.

How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
It cost about $7,000-$8,000. I financed it with personal funds.

What have you achieved since then?
At this point, I've worked with about 40 businesses in greater Portland, including law firms, accounting firms, business consultants and retail firms. I've solved some challenging technical issues, and made [clients] more productive on a daily basis. So far, the company has made a net profit of about $6,000. We still have a few months to go, but it looks like we'll [finish with] a net profit for the first year.

What's the competition like and how do you differ?
There's a lot of competition in the computer services business. We're different because we provide solutions that are tailored for small and medium businesses. We're better at communicating with customers, eliminating the technical jargon they don't have time to understand.

Our rates are very competitive. We offer two rates for different services ˆ— $75 an hour for something that needs more expertise or has to be done onsite, like networking, and $60 an hour for something that involves only one PC or that can be taken back to the office, like a software problem. Most companies only have one flat rate, which can be up to $150 an hour.

What resources have proven most useful?
I know a business consultant based in Florida who was in the computer services business maybe 10 years ago. He helped me with my business plan and marketing plan.

Describe a mistake you've made in your business and what you learned from it.
I had trouble watching the expenses. I spent too much on designing a company logo, and I haven't seen a good return on my investment in direct marketing. [Direct marketing] is better for branding, not for an immediate return. Now, I'm focusing on relationship building and revising the marketing plan.

If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I would invest in employees. I would hire a systems engineer [to] design and manage area networks, solve issues with hardware and software and make sure interconnected computers talk well, so employees can collaborate and have access to files and be productive. I'd hire a marketing person shortly thereafter to help bring in new clients.

As a self-described "computer nerd," do you wear a pocket-protector?
I do not. I do have a smart phone that I clip to my belt, which is pretty cool. It's a PDA and cell phone all in one. It runs Microsoft Windows, and I can check my e-mail on it.


New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.

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