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<br /> ClientFirst Technology Consulting 20â–ºmlPromis,fT Go.eT rccompins
<br /> A Beacon of Light for Prime Technology Solutions
<br /> Today.many Information Technology(IT)com- Understanding the
<br /> panies make the same mistakes, especially scope of ClientFirst's
<br /> 1 when it comes to consulting-oriented projects. services is best done
<br /> Their knowledge of new technology is limited, and through looking at
<br /> they use generalized IT specialists who may be well their work. When
<br /> rounded, but lack the over-all technical strength. That commissioned by the
<br /> is why many local governments rely on ClientFirst, a city of Redlands,Cal-
<br /> consultant and IT services firm, headquartered in Co- ifornia to formulate
<br /> rona. California, with offices in Illinois and North an IT plan, Client-
<br /> Carolina,and specializes in a wide breadth of IT disci- First did an assess-
<br /> plines. ment of each city de-
<br /> "When dealing with IT companies, it's easy to be- partment's infor-
<br /> come lost in the jargon of the field, but ClientFirst mation technology
<br /> takes a practical, business management perspective. needs. evaluating ap-
<br /> The company not only helps their clients understand, Lure. use needs,policies and procedures,staffing n the
<br /> but works with them extensively to determine the ture, use of productivity tools,and more. Based on the
<br /> strengths and weaknesses of their infrastructure and needs of Redlands' infrastructure and applications,
<br /> applications and what they need for success,"observes they formed a comprehensive 5-year plan and educat-
<br /> David Krout, Managing Partner of ClientFirst. The ed the city council, providing additional systems engi-
<br /> company itself is almost exclusively local government, neering capabilities and even redesigned their new da-
<br /> offering consulting in all aspects of IT Infrastructure, to center and network. "ClientFirst is not a company
<br /> AT Support,IT Master Planning,ERP applications,and that does product sales, but rather offers independent
<br /> Telecommunications. In order to preserve an unbiased consulting services, like those in Redlands, that stick
<br /> stance that measures the quality of various technolo- closely to retaining the best components of an envi-
<br /> gies, ClientFirst refrains from reselling hardware and ronment and improving the rest. Combined with the
<br /> software. This independence allows them to give un- multitude of IT disciplines working under ClientFirst,
<br /> biased recommendations for different environments each client gets advice from subject matter experts
<br /> and situations. who are best trained in each specific field," explains
<br /> Krout.
<br /> Many of ClientFirst's services aim for the better-
<br /> ClientFirst serves a list of illustrious clients
<br /> ment of local communities. Their major software con- 1, A,
<br /> salting service can bolster community development, nois' Elgin School District U46; Laguna Nigel, CA;
<br /> utility billing, and work management, in particular. Lincolnwood, IL; Castaic Lake Water Agency, CA;
<br /> and City ca Bloomington, IL. With a reputable system
<br /> They also offer consulting on application management
<br /> best practices and IT department turnarounds. For of client care that it prides itself on, ClientFirst is an
<br /> more hands-on assistance, clients have supplemental up-and-coming company with a future of promise and
<br /> and outsourcing support from which to choose. Cli- prosperity ahead of it as they aim to increase their re-
<br /> entFirst's telecommunications consulting designs gional IT support services in California and Illinois,as
<br /> phone systems, communications infrastructure and well as national presence in IT planning, software se-
<br /> provides carrier contract negotiations. The company lection and telecommunications consulting. The com-
<br /> provides much of its consulting through local govern- pany looks for people who have a passion, as its em-
<br /> ment agencies and strives to educate its clients as well ployees share a common desire to make a positive dif-
<br /> as aid them in the implementation of comprehensive ference in various communities, rather than simply
<br /> IT Master Plans they help develop. make a profit. While they currently have 35 profes-
<br /> sionals, ClientFirst is expecting to boost their head
<br /> count to 50 by next year.
<br /> CHIReview December 2013
<br /> CL/ENTFIRSTTECHNOLOGY CONSULTING
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