Business Philosophy:

The Business Philosophy that I have adhered to since the inception of my business is that I am an advocate for my customer.  While maintaining perspective to the problem or solution needed, I also can see the issue from my customer’s view.  Computers bring at times frustration and require complex solutions.  I offer solutions that are not only for today, but also take into account the future.  As a consultant I research the options, and provide several potential solutions that meet my client’s particular criteria to that specific issue or problem.   

Business History:

Network Virtual Support, originally Tim Knuth’s Computer Services, began when I was a freshman in college.  People that I knew kept me busy by requesting my services to help them with their computer needs:  from building their computers, to fixing the ones that they had, to asking advice on what products to purchase.  In those early years, hardware was not plug n play, and software was not controlled by a mouse.   

One of my friends worked at PIP Printing.  The owner of that PIP store asked for my help connecting a 486DX Gateway system running Windows for Workgroup to their Apple Macintosh network so that the Gateway system could send color print jobs to a Fiery color copier system attached to the AppleTalk network.  After the owner of PIP struggled with trying to make all these systems talk, and had exhausted all resources with the different manufactures (Apple, Gateway and Fiery), I was called in to find a way to make this all work.  Within a short amount of time, print jobs were being successfully sent over the AppleTalk network to the copier unit and the owner of the PIP store was able to profit off of his investment of having an IBM compatible computer system at his store.  This launched me into the ever- changing world of networking computers together and finding ways that they can share information.  Back in 1989 this was cutting edge technology, and who knew that in just a few years people would be connecting computers to the beginning of the Internet and able to share information around the world. 

Seeing that the future of computers lied in ways to connect them together to share resources, information, and files, I dived into computer networking.  This  launched my business into a whole new direction as a consultant.  I went from building and maintaining custom computer systems to designing and building office networks. 

Knowing that the source of technology was in Washington State and more importantly centered in Redmond, WA, I moved my company to the Evergreen State.  Looking back this was a very critical decision for my business as well as for learning opportunities. 

As I began to rebuild my business, I also worked with several companies to gain the knowledge and experience that sets me apart from other Network & Computer consulting companies.  Working for a large company performing server maintenance and supporting over 400 users has provided me the opportunity to provide solutions to everyday computer issues that plague the average computer user in the office and hinders productivity.  This was a great experience as well as an opportunity to know and understand how computer issues affect the end user.  At the end of the day, people just want to be able to do their job, print their report and respond to their emails in a timely fashion. 

In the late 90’s I changed my business name to Blue Skies Web.  Still providing network support and advanced trouble-shooting for my clients, I changed the name of my company to highlight cutting edge web services that help to promote my customers on the Internet.  Integrating the local area network with the internet was the new buzz, and I enjoyed working through the challenges during the beginning stages of the internet through the craze of high speed access.  If a business does not have high-speed today we think they are crazy, but that was not the case in the beginning.  It was exciting times helping customers establish an internet presence and seeing the fruit of the labor.  For example, one customer produces home shows around the United States.  Prior to their web site potential customers would call their office and most often directions and information about the show would be faxed to the individual looking to attend.  After one and a half years of having their web site in place this customer had an impressive 1 million people visit their web site.  Can you imagine if that were phone calls?  In talking with this customer he has commented that without his web site, trying to manage the information flow would be overwhelming.  The technology available today is amazing, and my company will continue to provide concrete solutions to the problems of today with the technology of tomorrow. 

About the same time that my business was moving into this new direction, I too moved into a new position.  I began my work within the Microsoft Data Center in 2000.  My two years at the datacenter were great.  It was a lot of fun working on 5000+ servers from several different data center sites.  Working with so many different servers and server applications has helped to build my knowledge of servers from HP, Compaq and Dell.  The team that I was a part of worked both hardware and software issues in a 24x7 environment.  If there was a software glitch, we saw it first and worked towards solutions.    Exposure to so many servers, so many types of hardware equipment and different flavors of Microsoft OS’s was a great learning opportunity.  I find even today that the methodology used within the datacenter to diagnose issues helps me daily to decipher issues and to provide solutions to my current clients. 

Recently I once again changed the name of my company.  This time the name went from Blue Skies Web to Network Virtual Support.  With business on high speed internet access I have found that I can save them time and productivity by utilizing remote services to fix their issues.  This saves my customers time and productivity.  My customers no longer need to wait for me to drive to their office; I just connect remotely.  I can see the issue that the user is facing, fix the issue, which then allows the person to go back to work and finish the project on which they were working.  My customers love this feature.  The recent name change reflects the use of the latest technology.  I am still supporting networks, but doing so via remote or “Virtually” (extended by computer software). 

Today I am still building and supporting networks and helping my customers leverage technology to fit their needs.  I fell in love with networking in 1989, and I still love finding solutions, playing with the new equipment, learning about better, faster and more reliable ways of networking computers and in providing custom solutions for my clients.  I have found my work within all the different aspects that I have been involved with to be rewarding and stimulating.  I cannot wait to see what will be available next year as well as in ten, twenty or thirty years.   

Going forward I have a high concern for network and computer security.  This field excites me and I see that security is the next area that will see huge changes within the next 10 years.  The demand on software manufactures to tighten security has increased year after year.  As a network specialist I cannot ignore the issues of security, and will continue to strive to always provide the best security practices.  To learn more about security keep an eye on my blog site.  www.thenetworkguy.net