Company Name: SilverEdge Systems Software, Inc.
Executive Name: Maria Vedral
Title: President
Web Site: http://www.silveredge.com

ITA: In about 10 words, what problem does SilverEdge solve for your clients?
Maria Vedral: Inefficiencies in winning more business, managing resources and optimizing project quality.

ITA: What motivated you to start SilverEdge? What’s the origin of the name?
MV: Early in my career, I got excited about how computers were able to automate tedious work and how that could help people and their companies spend their time performing more valuable and rewarding tasks.

Since I hadn’t studied computer science during my university education (I got my bachelor’s in liberal arts from DePaul University), I worked a full-time job (a working mom of a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old) and took some computer classes at the local college to further my education on computer software.

When the opportunity presented itself to start SilverEdge, I just jumped in with both feet as I already had the passion to help others succeed. The name? I always liked the idea of an “edge” (i.e. leading edge, competitive edge, etc.). I happened to see a Silverado and liked SilverEdge!

ITA: How does SilverEdge differentiate from its competitors?
MV: We focus and specialize in providing services and solutions to project-focused businesses. Our approach is comprehensive and multi-disciplined.

We bring a team approach to every project with the perspective of multiple disciplines and experience in our client’s industry. This includes accounting, financial analysis, project management, resource management, business development, proposal creation, marketing and IT (technical).

ITA: What type of clients provide SilverEdge’s primary source of income?
MV: Project-focused businesses including architectural, engineering, financial, marketing, public relations, pharmaceutical, health care, project management and project-based non-profit consulting firms.

ITA: How has your business sector evolved over the last five years?
MV: M&A is the first major change that comes to mind. Deltek acquired Wind2 in Oct. 2005. Prior to this acquisition, SilverEdge was a Wind2 business partner for 17 years. Deltek was Wind2’s top competitor. While this was a major change, it was very positive for us and for our clients.

Deltek’s flagship product (Vision) is browser-based ERP software for project-focused firms without the ERP price. Under Kevin Parker’s leadership, Deltek has expanded in the U.S. and internationally and is now a publicly traded company (PROJ). We were awarded Deltek premier partner status in Oct. 2006.

In addition, involvement with organizations like the ITA and the Information Technology Alliance is expanding so firms like ours can share information and build relationships that significantly enhance the way we and our clients do business.

The AICPA has added the CITP (certified information technology professional) certification. The CITP credential demonstrates an ability to leverage technology to effectively manage information while ensuring the data’s reliability, security, accessibility and relevance.

Also, this year I presented for the second year at the Consulting Showcase during the country’s foremost technology event for CPAs: the TECH+ 2009 AICPA Information Technology Conference.

I demonstrated how our result-driven business consulting services and award-winning implementation of Deltek Vision software solutions improve business processes and profitability by providing tools to control costs, increase an ability to forecast revenue and manage projects for on-time and on-budget delivery.

In addition, internally we have taken advantage of emerging technologies including Deltek Vision, the BlackBerry, the iPhone, GotVMail, GoToWebinar, Bank Remote Deposit and GPS to become more efficient within our own organization. We provide a better client experience for our clients along with a better working experience for our team members.

ITA: What’s the most important piece of information a potential client can provide to help SilverEdge best make an assessment for software and systems reorganization?
MV: The most important piece of information is what combination of software tools the client is currently using to manage their business and their projects. We identify areas of improvement, strategic goals and initiatives. We then execute to achieve results.

ITA: What are the biggest challenges you face as an Illinois-based IT company?
MV: Illinois is a great state for our business location. In our 21-year history, we successfully service clients in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. We also have clients in other states via referral. If I had to mention something, the biggest challenge is the way that the Illinois sales tax is structured.

We are required to charge sales tax to our Illinois clients based on our location rather than the location of our clients. Our clients that are located outside of the Chicago area in Illinois continually question why they are obligated to pay a 10 percent sales tax on their software purchases as opposed to the lower rate imposed by their hometown.

ITA: How does having a Midwestern location help you in the IT industry as a whole?
MV: I would have to say that being centrally located in the Midwest is a major benefit when it comes to travel time and travel costs. Even though some of our services are provided via the Internet and phone, there are certain services that are best provided on site at our client’s office.

ITA: Project management is a constantly evolving dynamic. How do you best advise your clients to either simplify processes or keep them flowing with a new software-based system?
MV: We partner closely with our clients in this process as there is a strong human element in the success of our projects.

We first have to seek to understand how and why our clients have specific processes in place. Then we analyze and suggest changes and adjustments that will make their work life easier or more productive. This positively benefits them, the company and potentially their clients.

ITA: What trends do you see heading into the last quarter of 2009 that are relevant to the industry and your company?
MV: There are a few trends that are relevant to our industry. First, due to the economic downturn, companies are investing in technologies to do more with existing resources instead of adding to their staff.

Second, the consulting industry continues to expand with new types of consulting services being constantly added into the marketplace. There is a tremendous pressure to keep billing rates down. We can help these companies by consolidating all of their different databases and systems. This streamlines their operations.

Third, we are particularly excited about the extension of mobile technologies as well as the innovative applications and continued integration of software in our industry and what this means to us and to our clients.

The Deltek Vision mobile applications suite ensures that your employees have access to key information from any Internet connection, an offline edition and on various devices. We are going to see more and more mobile integration taking the access of data to a new level of immediacy, convenience and mobility.