Name of business: NetEffect
Address: 5575 S. Durango Drive, Suite 107, Las Vegas, NV 89113
Phone: 318-7700
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.neteffect-it.com
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 24-7 support to clients with a support agreement
Owned by: Jeff Grace
In business since: 2002
Describe your business.
We are an information technology support and consultation firm specializing in filling the IT role for organizations throughout the valley. We also offer a fully-hosted cloud computing platform where we put our clients’ applications and data on our equipment in a secure data center.
How do you compete with other service providers?
NetEffect in July 2012 was the first IT company to obtain licensure from the Gaming Control Board to work on board-regulated IT systems. For gaming operators, we provide monitoring and alerting for their technology infrastructure, as well as perform basic helpdesk duties, along with some onsite support. It’s a fantastic niche for us that gaming operators have really embraced. It sets us apart and has attracted even non-gaming clients who like knowing that we’ve had that level of vetting.
Where do you see the valley’s tech industry headed?
The technology scene in Las Vegas is undergoing a transformation in terms of its maturity. The importance of technology in organizations today, coupled with the recession’s effect on businesses (organizations no longer tolerate wasteful spending), has resulted in technology consumers being much more discriminating than in past years. To be successful, technology vendors must deliver measurable value to their clients.
I anticipate a lot of growth in data center facilities. The Las Vegas Valley is an ideal location for data centers, in that it’s not prone to natural disasters. And with innovators like Switch Communications, I believe data centers will continue to increase in size and number. There is a lot of opportunity here.
What is your business philosophy?
Find the direction that provides everyone involved the most benefit possible. That’s the way I regard any situation, whether it involves a client, staff member, vendor or technology partner.
I believe genuinely caring about people garners their long-term loyalty and respect and that most people who care will reciprocate.
Those who won’t aren’t a good fit for me as a business leader.
What’s the most important part of your job?
To protect and nourish our company culture and to look to the future to make sure we’re heading in a positive and productive direction.
What is the hardest part about doing business in Las Vegas?
It can be challenging to find employees, clients and business associates who embrace our philosophy of partnership and caring. As a long-time resident (since 1975), I understand it’s part of our culture. This was such a transient town in the ’70s and ’80s, and it left a mark on Las Vegas. But I find the longer we do business here, the more the right kinds of organizations and people seek us out.
What is the best part about doing business in Las Vegas?
The incredible amount of opportunity. Unlike more mature metropolitan cities, the technology industry here still has a long way to go in terms of maturity. That means there is a lot of opportunity for us as a business.
I also appreciate the incredible support of organizations such as the Las Vegas Metro Chamber and UNLV Alumni Association, which have helped us get our message out to the business community. When you do good work in Las Vegas, you get noticed for it, and I love that.
What obstacles has your business overcome?
The economic downturn was a huge challenge for us. Going into the recession, the majority of our clients were in construction-related industries, and they were the hardest hit. Over the last five years, we’ve had to diversify our client base.
We also had to overcome the industry challenge of cloud computing. We saw “the cloud” as a disruptive technology that we had to be prepared for, so in 2010, we decided to launch a cloud computing solution. There were very few cloud providers at the time, so we had very little information to go on. Developing “MyGrid” has been a huge challenge and expense for us, but we have reaped a lot of rewards because of it.
How can Nevada improve its business climate?
Nevada needs to improve its educational system and diversify its economy.
As an employer, I need more well-trained staff members, and the state of our educational system is a hindrance in getting businesses from other states to move here.
What have you learned from the recession?
The recession has been a deeply educational experience for me personally. For about five years, from 2008 to early 2013, we had very few new business opportunities. Inquiries from prospects were few and far between, and a large percentage of our clients were struggling and shrinking in size.
As a result, I chose to focus on strengthening NetEffect internally. We now have a much stronger company culture, a strategic plan that we review regularly and an enthusiastic and engaged management team that’s willing to take on any challenge.