Jeanne DeWitt and David Hood met over 30 years ago when they were just out of college. Back then, they were the computer nerds of the northwestern Ohio campuses of Bowling Green State University and University of Toledo. Soon after college, they founded, CPU, Inc., a Toledo-based IT Managed Service Provider, that’s now changing the cloud services market for other MSPs.
Jeanne and David, a husband and wife team, are longtime veterans of the managed services community. From their humble beginnings developing software over 30 years ago, CPU started offering managed IT services in the Toledo area to fill a void when their software needed supporting. They were forward-looking and worked hard to promote and sell their software and IT services; their efforts paid off and they built a successful business. Today, they’re taking the next big step as a customer-focused cloud service provider for partners like MSPs.
From Software Developer to Managed Service Provider
Soon they discovered that providing the IT infrastructures for businesses was just one piece of the puzzle. Over time they expanded their business model to provide IT service and support, as well.
CPU Inc. was an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) before the term was even coined. Their trained and knowledgeable staff of technicians physically traveled to each individual client to maintain and manage their systems before remote connectivity became a reality.
The Birth Of The Cloud
In 2000, data centers and cell phones were not as common as they are today. Remote capability was in its infancy, but Jeanne and David immediately recognized the importance of the new technology, which would allow them to service their client’s IT systems from one central location, plus expand their services to a much larger service area.
When data centers entered the technology sphere in Europe, CPU quickly recognized the importance of this exciting new technology, but there were problems. When it was 10 p.m. in Ohio, it was 4 a.m. in England. If a problem arose with a data center in the middle of the night in America, technicians in England were still in bed and wouldn’t be available for several hours. That time lag created problems.
Once a U.S-based data center was established, they immediately contracted for space and switched their clients to it. Thus, an obstacle was overcome by the team at CPU.
As more businesses are leveraging the Cloud to enable remote employees to work efficiently, to store and protect their data, and to move to cloud-based file sharing and collaboration, they look to MSPs for help. However, as with every new technological advancement, cloud services experienced difficulties and did not meet the complete needs of the business community. Poor service from the large cloud providers was the norm and CPU needed a better option. They became their own cloud service provider.
Jeanne and David are taking their next big step! There are a lot of MSPs dealing with poor customer service from the big cloud providers, but they had no other option…until now, with CPU entering this space.
Jeanne and David Know How To Build Strong Partnership Relationships
Jeanne and David have been business partners for over 32 years and life partners for just about as long. They know how to create a strong foundation of trust and support and have used the skills that both bring to the table to create a thriving business and great place of employment for their team.
With their understanding of working as a partnership and their past business experience, Jeanne and David are naturals to start their own cloud service that their partners, like MSPs, can white label.
As a cloud service provider, CPU can ensure their partners now have the cloud solution they need and a provider/partner who will give them the personal immediate customer service they need. CPU’s MSP partners know they’re top priority. Rather than calling into a Microsoft or other huge cloud provider who starts them with level 1 support and a person that may not speak English as their first language, with CPU the MSP knows they’ll get top quality support right away. This helps MSPs resolve their clients’ issues quickly and makes them look good to their clients.
Jeanne and David know from their own experience that MSPs try to provide the best customer service for their clients, but if they can’t reach a multi-national cloud provider when something goes wrong, they look bad, their customers don’t have what they need, and they could lose the business they’ve worked so hard to build. CPU has lived this themselves and now, eliminates those issues for their partners, bringing the same level of trust and support they’ve practiced all these years in business.
Today, Jeanne and David have built a network of data centers throughout the US, spanning from the West Coast to the East Coast and providing complete geographic coverage and a turn-key hosted infrastructure. Their Data Centers provide 99.999% reliability with 24/7 monitoring services. Security is number one on their priority list, so they ensure their data centers are the best you can find anywhere in the world.
Personal Service Is Key
Jeanne and David know who their customers are, what they do, and what they need. Their customers are their number one concern. The worst thing an MSP faces is when the cloud server is down, and they can’t get through to the provider. Jeanne and David have overcome this obstacle for today’s MSPs. They speak directly with their customers who need cloud services for their own clients. And, now MSPs throughout the U.S. can have the peace of mind knowing CPU will address their issues right away.
Jeanne and David aren’t trying to make CPU a Microsoft or Amazon web services company; they serve a smaller group of MSPs so they can have a more personal customer relationship. And they plan to keep it this way. They want to be true partners with their MSP customers.
Jeanne and David also understand that not all MSPs know how to incorporate cloud services into their MSP business, however they do know from experience that if they are not talking to their customers about Cloud, someone else is. That is why CPU travels throughout the United States, providing training and education on all aspects of the Cloud, so their partners can feel comfortable with what they are offering to their customers.
According to DeWitt, “In addition to providing cloud services for MSPs, CPU also provides them for our key influencer partners like accountants and attorneys who can help their clients by using our cloud services. CPU is experienced in Microsoft Dynamics and Azure. So, if a partner needs help with these platforms, we’ll be on hand.”
Jeanne DeWitt and David Hood began a partnership over 30 years ago. They have progressed their business and personal relationship over that time and now are one of the leading providers of “Cloud-Based Technology” for businesses in the country.
Isn’t that what “Soaring to Success” is all about?
They found their niche and developed a strong personal relationship that has lasted over time and continues to soar to new heights.
Contact Jeanne Dewitt and David Hood at info@cloudservicesformsps.com.
They can answer any technology questions you may have and help your business, “Soar to Success.”
