Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Ferrera.
Sonia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 1984, when I was 18 years old, I opened a small consulting company with a partner (called SNR consulting). We were fairly successful, and a few years later, I got the confidence to branch out on my own and Southeast Computer Solutions was born! Since then, the business has grown more than I could’ve imagined. I now have a new partner (Ralph Ceccarelli) and SCS has evolved into full-service Value-Added Reseller with more than 30 employees and we are proud to be celebrating our 33rd year in business! SCS specializes in selling, implementing, and supporting business management applications (ERP systems) as well as providing IT and Cloud services. Presently, SCS is servicing over 300 clients locally and throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every business has its challenges. One of biggest challenges is managing expectations. Clients new to ERP implementations often expect the project to come in unrealistically low time and budget estimates. Other clients have previously suffered through painful implementations in the past and are hesitant about pulling the trigger on a new project. They think of ERP as an acronym for “Expensive”, “Regretful,” and “Painful.” It is our job to change this perception! I often use the analogy of a construction project. As with any construction project, you can hire a professional contractor, or you can do it yourself. Too often, our customers try to take on this role. Very few customers have the knowledge and experience to perform this function on their own. The biggest challenge often is helping them acknowledge this before they begin the project. Our expertise with their engagement will help to build an Enterprise Resource Planning to streamline processes and grow their future business.
Given our 33 years in we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes an implementation successful, as well as what pitfalls to avoid. Our proven implementation methodology and detailed project management are key deliverables that we provide with any new implementation
Another challenge is how quickly technology advances. Our industry is one that requires constant learning, always keep our ear to the ground to understand the latest trends from a technology perspective and how it can improve business processes. Our clients expect this from us and we invest heavily in our own employees’ professional development. It’s one of the reasons we have such high employee retention rates. Plus, I like to think it’s fun to work here!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Southeast Computer Solutions story. Tell us more about the business.
For the last 19 years, SCS has been headquartered in the White House building, just off the 154th Street exit off the Palmetto Expressway. Myself (Sonia Ferrera) and many other SCS employees call Miami Lakes home and being here allows us to give back to the community.
At SCS, we thrive for superior customer service and teamwork. It has been an amazing journey and, as we mentioned, we contribute to the growth and success of our great employees, and we are also very active in local charities and business networking events.
We are proud to mention that we have won many awards, often triumphing over older, more established competitors for top VAR (value-added resellers) of Sage software products in North America. In fact, SCS is consistently awarded the President’s Circle for Top Sales in North America by Sage software and we’ve been a mainstay of Accounting Today’s “Top 100 VARs” every year since 2010.
Recently in 2017, Southeast Computer Solutions launched a new division offering Hosted and Managed IT services to provide all encompassing solutions to new and existing clients. We are very excited about this new offering and look forward to being more of a single source technology provider to our client’s many needs.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that all success is a combination of hard work and luck! We certainly play hard and work hard at SCS, and occasionally we will land an opportunity that we weren’t expecting, and I’ve always felt that we have several “guardian angels” watching over us. Whether you believe that is “luck” or something else, I am happy to continue to feel blessed both in my private life and my professional one.
One example of a lucky opportunity, was that SCS was handpicked (perhaps because we are a Hispanic owned business) to write the Mexican Fiscal Requirements Enhancement for Sage 500 and Sage EM. This has helped to open the door to Latin America and positioned SCS as a leader in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 15165 NW 77th Ave, Suite 2009
Miami, Florida 33014 - Website: https://www.southeastcomputers.com/
- Phone: 305-556-4697
- Email: sonia@southeastcomputers.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCSolutions
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/scsolutions
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southeast-computer-solutions/
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