OVERVIEW

SOFIns is a platform for technical experts to convert manual IT procedures into a code-like form that can be licensed to end users.  Experts such as IT administrators and systems integrators generate higher income by using SOFIns to connect remote computers belonging to different users, combine the technical procedures with the user data, and apply the procedures in different computing environments.  The end users are consumers and businesses seeking IT services such as computer troubleshooting and repair or software installation and integration.  They obtain fully documented IT solutions at a lower price and lower deployment risk than possible with today's manual approach to IT services and software delivery.

FEEDBACK SOUGHT

1) What type of user should SOFIns focus on first and with what type of service?  The SOFIns approach can be used for both IT analysis/repair services and systems installation/integration.  Similarly services can be delivered to both consumers and businesses.  Consumers seeking IT support are a large market with many competing providers.  Consumers seeking software installation and integration (e.g. home phone systems) is a niche market with message-boards as the competing alternatives.  Business customers may require a direct sales approach.

2) How can SOFIns develop a base of “users” and “experts”?  As a marketplace for technical knowledge, SOFIns is only useful to Experts if it has Users willing to license procedures; but SOFIns would only be useful to Users if the marketplace already had technical solutions to common problems or business needs.

3) What business models make sense?  SOFIns’ current plan is to charge Experts for participating in the marketplace and collect a percentage of the licensing fee the Expert charges the User.  Are there licensing or sponsorship models that are better?

FOUNDER BIO

Jon Jaroker is the founder and CTO of SOFIns.  He previously founded SC Research Corp, a satellite telecommunications sales and integration company, and BullDog TeleWorks, an IP-PBX service provider.  He also led new venture formation for the New Ventures Group at Lucent Bell Laboratories focusing on software-based startups.  His other experience includes product management for Net2Phone and a Samsung spin-off company focusing on consumer technology services.  He most recently worked on new product and service deployment for Columbia Ventures' portfolio companies that involved IT systems integration and sales channel development.

Hosted by Hive at 55 (@hiveat55)

This month’s event is being hosted by Hive at 55, a new coworking space in Lower Manhattan.  The Hive offers flexible and affordable workspace creating a community of like-minded individuals interested in collaborating, networking, and sharing ideas and skills.  The Hive is offering a one day free trial to all attendees of the Feedback Forum.  Just mention you came via the Feedback Forum for your free day! www.hiveat55.com, hiveat55@downtownny.com, (646) 556-6805.

Hive at 55

55 Broad Street, 13th Floor

New York, NY  10004

Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5 to Wall; JMZ to Broad; A, C to Broadway/Nassau

About the Feedback Forum

The Feedback Forum is a monthly gathering of NYC entrepreneurs and technology-based startups or businesses in the NY metro area. Feedback Forum is an official programming partner of the New York Venture Community, (NYVC), a grassroots community with 7,000 members committed to helping the entrepreneurial ecosystem in NYC (through curated incubation events, social gatherings, speaker series, etc.).  

Each month we focus on a specific company and discuss critical operational challenges in an open environment that creates a learning opportunity which can benefit the broader NYC entrepreneur community.

The Feedback Forum is organized and moderated by Tobin Schwaiger-Hastanan (@tobins); founder of Plan.fm an event-based social-networking startup in NYC and an Assistant Organizer of the New York Venture Community (NYVC).