Promoting Adoption of the Cloud, Encouraging Additional Innovations

We’ve heard so much about cloud computing, and Dan Shapero, technical marketing executive of ClikCloud and CompTIA board member, is no stranger to the subject. Shapero co-founded ClikCloud in 2011 to offer cloud-based marketing support to small businesses, including website and social media management, email marketing and website analytics.

“The cloud has created a frictionless market for us to deliver high value services at an affordable price point,” Shapero said. “Economies of scale afforded by the cloud help keep our capital costs down and help fix our operating expenses.  In turn, we can put our efforts into value added service instead of maintenance of expensive infrastructure.”

Shapero works with CompTIA to advocate for fair and simple cloud computing policies and regulations. For example, public policies aimed at the IT sector should always be technology neutral, and cloud should be no exception. On the broader issue of federal adoption of cloud, CompTIA encourages the government to speed adoption of the cloud, both because it is a trendsetter for the broader economy and because it can foster greater innovation and development of cloud computing services.  The association believes that innovations associated with the cloud can benefit citizens and help save tax dollars.

Shapero’s extensive IT background has contributed to his great appreciation of cloud services. Before co-founding ClikCloud in 2011, he worked as part of a turnaround team at Avamar and as COO of NetApplications. Most recently, Shapero served as the executive vice president of Kaseya, where he discovered the urgency for affordable and efficient marketing services for small businesses across the country.

On small business issues, Shapero also finds himself aligned to CompTIA’s goal of supporting legislation in favor of business equity. This includes small business exemption within remote sellers legislation such as the “Main Street Fairness Act” (S. 1452), the Marketplace Equity Act of 2011 (H.R. 3179), and the “Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2011” (H.R. 1860 and S. 971). This is one aspect of CompTIA’s commitment to small- and medium-sized businesses.

“ClikCloud is hopeful CompTIA’s advocacy will keep the government from passing unnecessary rules that take away our fair advantage on a global basis, increase our costs by enforcing non-value added regulations and restricting commerce through increased taxation,” Shapero said.

Want to make your voice heard regarding this issue? Contact Lamar Whitman.