Keeping IT Honest

PALMETTO — Whether it’s an individual running a small business from home or a company with 300 employees, David Spire & Jeff Wood are willing to bet they have a computer solution to help things run more smoothly.

And if they don’t, they’ll tell you up front.

A guiding principle of their United Systems is the up-front business assessment. The assessment takes into account everything from a company’s revenues to its hardware and software.

“We’re relationship based,” Spire said. “When we go in, we manage the expectations of what they can get out of their technology. We sit down with them and decide where we’re a good fit long term.”

United Systems was started the company in March of 2004 by Spire and Josh Way after discussing at church the concept of an IT outsourcing business.

The company, with ten employees, does everything from installing hardware and Internet connection, to designing Web pages and even maintaining the Web cam for “Snooty” the manatee at the South Florida Museum.

“It’s like having an internal IT company but not having to pay that much every year,” Spire said.

Wood has a background in IT, having worked as a systems engineer for several firms throughout the country. Spire’s background is in Web design and sales and marketing.

” I try not to get too involved in the technical side of it,” Spire said. “As far as the sales and marketing side, and the financial side, that’s the side of the business I focus on.”

Business is good for United Systems. Since starting the business, revenues have climbed from about $60,000 its first year to $416,000 in 2006 and a projected $750,000 this year.

“Our vision isn’t to have just ten people.” Spire said. “We’re trying to grow it larger.”

Alan Haines, interim director at the South Florida Museum, a client of United Systems, said the company has done an excellent job meeting the needs of the museum.

“They’re very responsive and nice to work with,” Haines said. ” We don’t have a lot of computers but they do a good job. We’ve been pleased.”

The company does customized contracts with clients based on individual business needs. United Systems also offers services through verbal contracts, allowing companies flexibility in their IT services.

“We don’t want to put customers in a position where they feel locked in,” Spire said.