Alphatek Solutions provides business-focused information technology expertise
By Benjamin Hoak
For the Messenger-Inquirer
In Our Backyard – March 21, 2008
In this brave new world of information technology, many businesses aren’t up to the challenge of dealing with their own technology needs. That’s why companies such as Alphatek Solutions in Owensboro exist.
Alphatek provides business-focused information technology (IT) products and services. Put simply, according to owners Eric and Kim Dever, Alphatek can act as an off-site IT department for area businesses. “We build a solution for (the) customer,” Eric Dever said. “Their users get access to our resources.”
The heart of Alphatek’s operation is a state-of-the-art data center in The Springs on East Parrish Avenue. With redundant air conditioning, raised floors, concrete and steel walls and a backup generator, the center provides a secure environment for data storage.
The servers in the data center provide remote data backup, disaster recovery and data protection for businesses as diverse as financial institutions and doctors’ offices. Kim Dever said Alphatek is fully compliant with all privacy regulations regarding data. Alphatek’s software continually monitors the servers, enabling the company to be proactive if any problems should arise. The office is also physically protected with motion detectors and card access – expensive features that small businesses might not be able to afford on their own.
By signing on with Alphatek, Eric Dever said, such businesses will have access to IT services for less than the cost of hiring their own IT employee. The company also offers Website hosting, e-mail services and a help desk (with certified technicians) at the enterprise level.
Alphatek can also provide application hosting of an entire desktop for companies. Eric Dever said they will purchase all software and licenses that a client needs and put together a specific desktop that will look and function the same when accessed remotely from multiple offices or while a client is traveling. “It’s cost-effective for them,” he said, “It puts their network all on the same page.”
Alphatek uses Owensboro Municipal Utility’s fiber for their Internet connection, so local customers who subscribe to OMU’s service automatically have a low-cost, high-bandwidth connection to servers in Alphatek’s data center. The connections works so well, “it acts like it’s in their office,” Eric Dever said.
Dever started Alphatek in 2002 in his garage after running his own landscaping company for about 10 years. He has always had a knack for computer work. He said he was one of the first landscapers locally to provide computer-based photo designs to prospective customers. “I was pushing the limits of the PC,” he said.
While trying to do a little computer work part time, he realized that businesses needed their IT problems solved immediately – they wouldn’t wait until the weekend. That led to the creation of Alphatek and a philosophy that makes him immediately responsive and available to customers.
Eric Dever said the work fills a creative need as he develops solutions to fit particular customers. He relishes the new challenges that make each day different as technology changes and grows. “I really have a passion for it,” he said.
After 19 years at Texas Gas, Kim Dever came on board full-time last February. The company has three other employees and has seen triple-digit growth in numbers and sales each year, Eric Dever said. For now, they’re operating out of their data center in The Springs and soon they hope to open a larger office in a new building next door.
Alphatek is also a Hewlett-Packard authorized service provider, meaning they’re certified to do warranty work on HP products.
Alphatek has contracts to service all of the printers for large companies such as Owensboro Medical Health System, and any small business is also welcome. Eric Dever said they keep printer and server parts in stock, which enables them to quickly meet customers’ repair needs. Alphatek’s own servers are also HPs, so they can perform any necessary repairs themselves.
Most of Alphatek’s customers are local, but Dever said he’s negotiating deals with clients in Memphis and Chicago. The company is still in a “tremendous growth phase” that may include opening another location. “We’ve got a vision we want to end up with,” he said. “We’ll keep working on it until we get there.”
For more information about Alphatek Solutions, contact Eric or Kim Dever at (270) 685-3002.