50 Best Companies to Watch: SIMNET Inc. is a premier provider of cloud, security, and managed services that helps organizations grow and maintain simple, secure operations

“Our vision is to simplify IT for every business.”

In an era where technology profoundly impacts every aspect of business, companies are on the hunt for local, specialized expertise from a Cloud Infrastructure and Platform Services (CIPS) provider who caters to their specific needs, often overlooked by the major Hyperscalers. This is where SIMNET, Inc. comes in, a premier provider of Cloud, Security, and Managed Services that help companies accelerate their digital transformation. SIMNET is committed to unlocking businesses’ potential by leveraging simplicity, resiliency, performance, and security. With a rich background in various sectors including Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy, Automation, Healthcare, Finance, and Government, they are adept at offering tailored solutions.

Under the leadership of President Ted de Vos, SIMNET has ascended to new heights. Ted has been pivotal in transforming the company from a conventional managed services provider to a dynamic Cloud Infrastructure and Platform Services (CIPS) provider.

SIMNET’s dedication to innovation, customer-centric strategy, and expert knowledge has led to its recognition as an industry game-changer and a Top 50 Best Companies to watch for 2023. SIMNET’s innovative strategy allows clients to reap the benefits of turnkey, fully managed, premium cloud solutions tailored to their specific requirements., reinventing how organizations leverage technology across North America and worldwide.

The Silicon Review reached out to Ted de Vos, Founder, and President of SIMNET Inc., and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

Q. What inspired the creation of SIMNET? How did the company maintain its adaptability over the years?

SIMNET was created to address the unnecessary complexities of IT, a service-driven company dedicated to marrying outstanding technology with unparalleled support without complexities, with maximum performance, resilience, security, and simplicity.

We want each client to feel valued like they are our only customer. We believe providing excellent service and creating happy customers is the way to create a valuable, enduring company that people love.

Setbacks are a part of every growing business. Tell us about a few roadblocks and learning lessons that helped SIMNET grow through the years.

Quality over Quantity

From the beginning, SIMNET placed individual customers over sheer size. They treat each customer as part of the SIMNET family, forming the foundation of SIMNET.  In a world fraught with complexity and uncertainty, SIMNET shines as a paragon of simplicity and resilience.

Importance of Fostering a Positive Organizational Culture

Ted de Vos, a successful entrepreneur and a visionary leader, acknowledges the critical role a positive and inclusive work culture plays in ensuring long-term success. “There are several responsibilities of an entrepreneur, but the most important is to build the right culture. SIMNET cultivates a Positive-Aggressive culture where success is not merely measured by outcomes, but also by the positive impact and emotional journey along the way”.

In the words of the illustrious poet Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” SIMNET holds this sentiment close, ensuring that every interaction leaves a positive and lasting impression. By valuing collaboration, openness, and creativity, SIMNET fosters an environment conducive to innovation and growth.

Q. Can you provide us with a success story describing the challenges your clients faced and how SIMNET helped them overcome those challenges?

By delivering consistently high-quality services and demonstrating a genuine concern for its customers’ success, SIMNET has been able to cultivate a strong reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. The company’s philosophy revolves around the belief that each customer is a part of the SIMNET family, and this sentiment is reflected in the quality of the relationships it builds.

One excellent example of this is SIMNET’s partnership with Community Savings Credit Union, the 12th largest credit union in British Columbia, managing assets of $824 million. Community Savings’ social purpose is to unite working people to build a just world.

Under the leadership of Kari Johnson, the Chief Technology Officer, Community Savings has harnessed the capabilities of SIMNET’s Cloud (simnet.cloud), Security, and Managed services. Together, the partnership has accelerated Community Savings’ digital transformation journey, including the migration of their on-premises infrastructure to a dedicated virtual data center.  Community Savings and SIMNET share a strong commitment to bolstering security, achieving, and sustaining compliance, and continuously enhancing efficiency and risk management. This collective effort is geared towards accelerating growth and maintaining streamlined, secure operations.

Q. What new endeavors is SIMNET currently undertaking?

SIMNET is continuously evolving, and it doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Its primary focus is to continue expanding the simnet.cloud platform, specifically engineered for organizations seeking to maintain full control over their sensitive data while leveraging the benefits of cloud technology.

In an era marked by escalating cybersecurity threats, heightened data privacy and security concerns, and an increasing demand for scalable and efficient IT solutions, simnet.cloud is ideally positioned to cater to these demands, thriving by focusing on customer challenges that the Hyperscalers don’t fully address.

Moreover, we make substantial investments in our people, processes, and tools. We dedicate time and resources to the development of AI, comprehensive training, skill enhancement, and automation. This commitment ensures that we remain at the forefront of innovation and are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

SCALING TO MEET DEMAND

SIMNET remains committed to fueling the growth of their expanding global client base and stands ready to support ambitious digital transformation objectives. This commitment is underscored by key additions: David Klauser as SVP of Sales and Marketing, Noel Cantos as Director of IT Operations, Ryan Lo for project management, and Yang He as Senior Cloud Architect. These investments fortify SIMNET’s leadership in modern Cloud Infrastructure and Platform Services, addressing a gap often found in global hyperscale providers like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure, which may lack the flexibility to provide customized services tailored to specific geographic regions and cultures.

SIMNET will continue to make strategic investments to ensure that the company remains at the forefront of the industry.

Q. What’s the one thing you want SIMNET to be known for?

The promise of cloud was that it would be fast, simple, and secure. And it is not.  Until now.

“Our vision is to simplify IT for every business,” says Ted de Vos, “We believe in doing more with less, reducing complexity, and focusing on delivering an outstanding customer experience. Our aim is to be a one-stop-shop for all IT needs, helping businesses thrive in the digital era.”

Tell us what’s next for SIMNET.

“Innovation is our lifeblood.”

“Innovation is our lifeblood,” declares SIMNET. The company has redefined traditional work paradigms with its forward-thinking approach, constantly exploring cutting-edge technologies. Their team’s commitment to ongoing learning keeps them at the forefront of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

SIMNET’s dedication to innovation extends to the expansion of the simnet.cloud portfolio, specifically designed to meet the needs of emerging technology executives. This expansion covers various aspects:

• cloud Expansion: Expanding across Canada, the United States, and the U.K., they offer enhanced capabilities in terms of availability, security, resilience, database and application platform services, and cloud-native features.
• Cutting-Edge Solutions: Enabling organizations to develop and integrate customized AI/ML models into their business processes with a portfolio of GPU-focused computing services as well as AI/ML FinOps.
• Data Residency and Sovereignty: Providing solutions tailored to strict data residency and sovereignty regulations, which necessitate local data centers.
• Anything-as-a-service & Multicloud Managed Services: Offering versatility and adaptability that’s a “custom fit” for local markets while simplifying operations, reducing costs, and aligning with organizational objectives.

Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

In line with global efforts to promote ESG SIMNET recognizes the importance of prioritizing environmental stewardship and reducing the ecological footprint across infrastructure services.  By helping clients reduce energy consumption and leverage renewable energy sources, SIMNET is committed to carbon neutrality and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Commitment to Diversity

SIMNET is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of its business. This dedication aligns with worldwide initiatives to promote diversity and harness the full potential of its people and social impact. At the heart of SIMNET’s commitment to diversity is its vibrant workplace culture. The SIMNET Culture serves as a guiding compass, defining the company’s identity, beliefs, and core principles, while also establishing transparent guidelines for how employees collaborate and lead.

Q. Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?

“The world of IT is ever evolving, and we’re excited to evolve with it,” says Ted de Vos, CEO of SIMNET. “Our commitment to our customers, our team, and our community is unwavering. As we look to the future, we’re eager to continue pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and ensuring our clients are equipped with the best IT solutions for their businesses.”

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, and here’s to many more years of growth, success, and innovation.”

SIMNET’s mission to simplify and elevate the world of IT continues to propel it forward. With a dedicated team, an innovative spirit, and an unwavering commitment to its customers, the future looks bright for this trailblazing company. Their continued growth and success in a rapidly evolving industry make SIMNET an exciting company to watch.

At SIMNET, each customer is part of the family, and each employee is seen as an integral contributor to our success.

Ted de Vos | Founder & President

Ted serves as the Founder and President of SIMNET, a cloud solutions provider aimed at simplifying operations and empowering growth for businesses. He values delivering quality service and maintaining strong client relationships. With a family background in entrepreneurship, Ted naturally leans towards creative problem-solving. He brings over 25 years of experience across strategy, services, and technology to his role. Under his stewardship, SIMNET has earned trust as a reliable source for specialized cloud infrastructure and platform services.

“Our commitment to our customers, our team, and our community is unwavering. As we look to the future, we’re eager to continue pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and ensuring our clients are equipped with the best IT solutions for their businesses.”