SourceFuse is a 16-year-old Neptune Beach-based company that has worldwide outreach.
Co-founders Kelly Dyer and Gautam Ghai create cloud-based software to allow companies to update their technology without having to invest in new hardware.
“I would call myself a ‘solution engineer.’ I like to see the problem and stay current with the technologies that would solve it,” Dyer said.
Trained as a programmer, Dyer does not write much code these days.
After graduating from Washington & Lee University, he worked for a company creating software and was the company’s salesperson as well.
Earning his MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business invigorated him to think on a global scale. He wanted a company that served businesses around the world.
He needed a business partner.
Dyer met Ghai through networking. Friends thought they shared similar business aspirations and the timing was right. Ghai was leaving his position with Ernst & Young to start a technology company.
After initial introductions, the two developed a business plan during trips to New Delhi, London and New York.
Their future was in the cloud.
“We build and modernize software in this new cloud environment,” Dyer said.
SourceFuse looks for legacy companies that need technology upgrades.
“First we take a look at it. What are their problems? A lot of companies work under the umbrella of if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he said.
“That is until somebody has merged or integrated a new partner and their software becomes a limiting factor.”
Dyer said it is a matter of understanding the business case.
“What is wrong with it? Ultimately we are going to rebuild this, move it to the cloud, make it better and make it faster.”
Cloud-based technology is not new but in recent years has changed how companies work.
Teams in different places can work on the same problem simultaneously. It also allows companies to store large amounts of data without having to invest in physical hardware to do so.
“What makes the cloud the cloud is that you pay for consumption. You aren’t buying any hardware. You aren’t paying for physical space,” Dyer said.
SourceFuse creates software and apps to allow a company to grow its technology as markets change.
SourceFuse employs 400 people worldwide and grossed $9.2 million last year, which was an 80% increase over 2020. This year’s earnings are projected to be $11 million.
It is not a large player but its partnership with Amazon Web Services, the largest cloud provider, may change that, Dyer said.
AWS finds clients in need of system upgrades. If they are a fit, AWS pairs SourceFuse with the client.
Often AWS brings in SourceFuse to access a client’s needs and the relationship begins from there.
“We are not a high-volume shop. We take more of a strategic approach. We don’t do a quick project that needs a month’s amount of work. Our business model and involvement is based on long-term need,” Dyer said.
“What are you trying to accomplish over the next year? We can help them execute on that road map and if we do well, their business is going to do better and they are going to hire us to do more of it.”
Dyer is watching virtual technology. Applying it to business may be five to 10 years off, but Facebook’s interest in the technology makes him interested.
Harnessing data is an immediate challenge, not just how to store it but also how to secure it.
“We are still in that data age right now. How do you protect it and how do you put it to good use,” Dyer said.
Lifestyle is what brought SourceFuse to Neptune Beach.
Dyer, 45, lives in Atlantic Beach with his wife, Anna, and their three daughters.
When deciding on the U.S. location for SourceFuse 12 years ago he knew he wanted to be by the water. Neptune Beach offered the beach experience, the right size community for both his company and family and close proximity to the airport.
Dyer is a fitness and water sports enthusiast who bicycles to work.
A client influenced his transportation philosophy.
“We had Uber and Lyft as a client and so as an experiment I got rid of my car. We have one for the family, but now I have an electric bike. What started as an experiment has now become a lifestyle.”
