Below is a recent interview with Cloud Computing Specialist Dan Hurt, a 20-year cloud computing consultant and client-driven professional.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and what you do.
My name is Daniel M Hurt, and I work as a Cloud Computing Specialist and Consultant in the Fort Lauderdale area. I work tirelessly with local and regional business owners to customize cloud computing solutions that fit their needs, minimize costs and support their small business needs. I am passionate about what I do and enjoy the rewards of helping local entrepreneurs navigate cloud technology while leveraging it to their competitive advantage.
I developed an interest in computers at an early age and fortunately had very supportive parents who encouraged me to pursue that curiosity to its fullest extent. My friends and I started assembling computers in my garage, and my father was very encouraging. We even built one of his first home office computers, which worked great!
This opened doors both in high school and college, which eventually culminated in a B.S. degree in Computer Science from a university with a prestigious, world-renowned software engineering and computer studies program. It wasn’t long after graduation that I found my niche in cloud-based tech or SaaS and realized I could put my skills to work to help businesses succeed.
Can you describe the unique services you provide?
In essence, I work closely with small businesses to identify ways cloud or SaaS can benefit their operation, cut operational costs, and improve organizational performance. My aim is to utilize a thorough analysis of each firm’s data infrastructure to design solutions for migrating and protecting both internal and customer data. This is done in accordance with each organization’s unique budgetary constraints, as well as other compliance and internal requirements.
Each situation is different and requires a custom approach to ensure alignment with the client’s particular preferences. On a given day, I may handle any number of cloud computing tasks, including answering questions, researching SaaS-based applications, building SaaS applications from scratch, application integration, network configuration, cloud training for employees, and more.
Can you provide a better understanding of what inspired this business?
I started in a well-known tech services firm right out of college. It was interesting and challenging, but I noticed a gap in their offerings. Cloud-based services, as a whole, were still in their infancy at the time, and it was understandable that the resources and expertise needed to deliver any sort of cloud or SaaS support were virtually nonexistent at the firm. Knowing what was on the horizon, I decided to build out a business model that would focus solely on cloud computing, particularly for small businesses that could really benefit from cloud-based infrastructure.
After a couple of years, I put my plan into action and launched my consultancy. I’ve been doing it ever since and have no regrets.
What are the specific challenges of managing a successful brand in the Cloud Computing field?
Like anything else involving computers and software, SaaS technology is constantly evolving, and keeping up with those changes can be quite daunting without the right mindset. You have to keep your ear to the ground in this industry because what delivered exceptional results one night may be outdated and of vogue the next. In some cases, things do a complete 180, and you have to have the flexibility to shift and ensure clients have the cloud tech and capability to achieve proper data capacity, storage, and protection without interrupting their day-to-day operations.
Most importantly is the threatscape, which is ultimately what drives changes in this industry. New threats can pose a real risk to data security and storage, and knowing how to adapt and deliver solutions that allow companies to navigate those threats AND protect customer and internal data can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. I am committed to research and to connecting clients with the best cloud solutions available, ensuring vulnerabilities are minimized, and each client has the tools they need to succeed.
Tell us more about your commitment to customer support, and what makes your brand special.
I have always placed the needs of the client first. I am a firm believer that responsive customer service backed by client-focused solutions is the best way to deliver the results each SMB deserves, and I make it my mission to address issues, concerns, and questions quickly and up to the client’s satisfaction. Client service is my highest priority, and paying close attention to their needs and the nitty gritty details is what sets me apart in this field.
What do you enjoy doing outside of business? What inspires you when you aren’t helping customers?
I am devoted to my family and to my community. Nothing drives me more than ensuring my family is healthy, safe, and getting the most out of life. And helping my community is critically important to me. It’s why I’m so active in events and local efforts to keep our neighborhood and city beautiful and safe and such a wonderful place to live.
