With fifteen years experience as a desktop system and network administrator and armed with an MBA in business, TDI owner Shane Ketterman wants to help businesses thrive.
Ketterman started TDI, Technology Solutions, (Technology, Design, Innovation) as a result of his past experience as an IT professional working for a medium-sized architecture and design firm in Portland, Oregon. Over the years he observed a big gap for many users who often times didn’t understand the technology or what type of service or upgrades they needed to help their business succeed. Ketterman explains, “I wanted another approach to solving problems and helping clients succeed. During my time as a network and systems administrator for a client-based firm I watched and learned what works for clients and what doesn’t matter especially for a business to succeed when it comes to using technology.”
Being on the front lines of a large company solving technology problems didn’t provide all the answers Ketterman was searching for in the world of IT and client customer service. He was interested in even the small details of what it takes for a business to be successful. He says, ” At that time I also got my MBA in business and the reason for that is so I could understand at a very intimate level how businesses grow and succeed.”
Another aspect he learned is that business owners often needed more than just IT tools, “I figured with knowledge and passion for business principles and by combining it with my IT experience I could push the two together and say, I care more than just about the money that is spent on IT..I also understand how a business owner can gain a competitive advantage in business by understanding what their goals are and how IT and business principals can work together.”
One of the most important business principals Ketterman has learned and practices when he first meets a new client is to listen to their story, “New clients are shocked when my first questions aren’t about their servers, computers or networks but about their business concerns and goals to grow their business. It’s about them telling me what they are passionate about in growing their business and that helps me say from my IT and business point of view, this is what will help you grow the most.”Ketterman uses the owners’ perspective to analyze their specific situation, he explains, “Those questions and answers drive everything including technology and allows me to really focus on design thinking which is to take a human centered approach to things.“I find that a lot of technology out there is complicated, we’re overcomplicated and we don’t need to be that complex where a simple approach will work and at the same time reduce costs.”
However complex the needs of a business owner may be, TDI offers a full menu of solutions by providing client on-boarding procedure with a full analysis of IT infrastructure. Another important component is client training…how to be in constant contact, submit support tickets and be successful in working with each other. Especially important to Ketterman are their ongoing services, “Beyond performing normal IT support and services we also believe in being proactive. Part of our normal service is to make sure we watch your systems and get alerted whenever there might be a potential issue. Acting on disasters happens but doing what we can to avoid it will cost your business a lot less.”
Rounding out TDI services Ketterman explains their management and strategy. “For TDI it isn’t just about what you see on a daily basis, it’s also about your business. We schedule quarterly meetings to meet with all our clients and talk business strategy.”Ketterman’s past experience in the sterile world of geek technology has encouraged him to be affable when meeting his clients. He says, “Another approach I take is to be personable and friendly as there is a stigma about IT people being introverted, cool or unfriendly… so I always try to break that mold with friendly upbeat service and to listen to their story.
“I’m extremely passionate about that and I think there is a role in this world for multi talented IT services where I’m a part of helping them achieve their goals, more than just fixing their computers, servers or networks. I learned that in my previous environment and I think it is critical that we approach solutions with more than just a technological solution. I think even in Bend, Oregon you have to think bigger….your business competition is not just local centered and there are people moving here and doing business from all over the world…everyone in business needs to know how to gain their own competitive advantage. First and foremost I can maintain and fix systems and also be someone that cares and understands about your business success.”
TDI, Technology Solutions, (Technology, Design, Innovation)
Location: 61239 Fairfield Drive, Bend, OR 97702
Phone: 541-508-7622
Email: info@tditechsolutions.com, www.tditechsolutions.com
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-7pm
CEO/Owner: Shane Ketterman
No. Employees: 1
Year Established: 2013
Product/Service: IT support & services: flat fee or hourly IT services & support for your servers, desktops, routers, switches, firewalls, computers, printers and mobile devices technology upgrades, IT consulting: strategic planning, and flat-fee projects designed with your business goals (and budget) in mind, Cloud Services including email encryption, file servers, Office 365, hosted email, virtualization, antivirus, incredible hybrid backup solutions
Hot News: added business consulting to services list.
Outlook for Growth: positive outlook predicted with many new clients enlisted for services into 2014.
