Florida based company Simply Connected Systems replaces a businesses manual paper workflow with a fully customized, automated digital solution. They build electronic form(s) that capture the same information companies already do today manually in the field. Once captured, the information is sent real-time back to the office to review. Their technology integrates that information directly into the businesses back-end system or billing system for immediate invoicing, customer updating, and inventory control. No additional software or hardware is required! By eliminating the re-keying of data, travel time back to the office, inaccuracies, manual dispatch, and cost of paper through a manual process, the ROI is evident within a few short months.
We caught up with Simply Connected Systems Founder Steven Kramer for an exclusive Business Spotlight interview:
How did the inspiration to start Simply Connected Systems come about?
I have been ‘connecting systems’ together since my early IBM days in 1982.
Ever since then, my life has been dedicated to ‘connecting systems together’. It simply took 30+ years for the technology of ‘rapid development’, ‘mobile devices’ and the high cost of ‘administration’ to come together and make the need Simply Connected Systems possible.
What problem is Simply Connected Systems aiming to solve, and how are you different from similar competitors?
When recently asked this question, I answered this way
We have a unique skill set. We are a ‘connector company’. We connect companies (mostly in the field trades, construction, plumbing, air conditioning, etc.) EXISTING software together to eliminate ‘Handwriting, Rekeying and Paper’ from the exiting process. Where the customer needs to collect data in the field, time cards, daily job reports or invoices, we can provide a mobile application to collect that data. being nondisruptive and allowing the customer to grow without ever hiring an administrator again!
Did you raise funding or are you Bootstrapped?
We are completely bootstrapped, in our sixth year in business, with no debt or investors.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned so far?
To applaud every time I meet an independent business owner who has developed a product, created revenue and stayed in business for five years or more. It takes great creativity, fortitude and belief to create a ‘business’ and not just a ‘thought experiment.’
If you could have anyone in the world to your team, who would you choose?
Dean Kamen – Inventor of the Segway and Founder of the FIRST Lego Robotics League (https://www.firstinspires.org/)
What are some unexpected hurdles you’ve faced?
Helping business owners to understand that they need a connector solution and not ‘new software’. No one really knows or is looking for a ‘Connector Company’.
Where do you envision Simply Connected Systems in 5 to 10 years?
The leader in ‘Connected Solutions’, the definer of a business category, $100 Million per year and a company that is self-sustaining well after I am gone.
The biggest thing you look for when hiring is:
Someone who can think and perform independently and yet support the common vision.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs just starting out?
Create the product, get your first customer, deposit the check and work to do it again. Do not mistake an ‘idea’ for a business.
Learn more and connect with Steven:
https://www.simplyconnectedsystems.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplyconnectedsystems
Phone: (954) 253-7870
