Business Incubators offer assistance to startup companies in a variety of forms, including, financial management help, networking functions, marketing assistance, even resources to strategic partners.
However, few incubators offer help with a new company’s IT system development, which can often be costly for a company starting up.
Enter Madison-based Aberdean Consulting LLC, which recently launched its Flex Tech Service that will assist small to midsize companies with their up-front IT system development costs.
“We began in 2003 in an incubator on Madison’s east side,” said Jim Blair managing partner and founder of Aberdean Consulting. “What we discovered when we first started was that the incubators really provide you a place to call home but limited services to go along with that.”
Aberdean’s Flex Tech service provides start-up companies an opportunity to expand and grow their venture without the burden of major upfront costs associated with technology essential to running their business.
“What we do is provide them the technology they need, network, computers, servers and other things, with a minimal upfront cost. They can then pay as they grow, it can expand or contract with the company. If a piece of equipment is not being used, we basically take it back,” Blair said.
Aberdean’s clients pay a fixed cost per month, with a more predictable IT budget, Blair said.
The flex tech service is also helpful because someone else is dealing with the hassles and constraints of maintaining the IT equipment, Blair said.
“We make everything really user-friendly. A company doesn’t have to take hours and hours to deal with a mechanics problem. They can simply return the machine, and we will give them a new one. It allows for the company to avoid distractions and just focus on their job,” Blair said.
Aberdean functions as an outsource IT department for most of its clients, Blair said.
“We keep about 1,300 people productive with our services,” Blair said. “We provide implementation as well as onsite and remote support.”
Aberdean recently moved to the University Research Park in Madison. The company’s Flex Tech project is in its first stage.
“The park wanted to offer more amenities to their clients. We see the willingness to provide more services as a national trend, so we want to get the program established here and get some success, and then look to apply it elsewhere,” said Blair.
