Virtual Intelligence Providers
| Industry | Information Technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | September 30, 2001 |
| Headquarters | Houston, TX, United States |
Area served | North America, South America, Europe, Australia |
Key people | Sonia Clayton, Founder, President, CEO |
Number of employees | 55 (June 2009) |
| Website |
www |
Virtual Intelligence Providers, L.L.C. is a Houston-based information technology and consulting company that specializes in ERP systems including SAP and Oracle training.
History
Sonia Clayton founded Virtual Intelligence Providers, L.L.C., also known as VIP, September 30, 2001. Originally, it consisted of a small consultant team including PhDs, business administrators, graphic and instructional designers, and system engineers working from home. It moved into an office space in 2002 and has expanded to 55 employees scattered across the United States and various countries.[1]
VIP’s business model is based on reducing overhead and unnecessary expenses.[2] It uses virtual connectivity models, video conferencing and remote administration to communicate between employees and customers. Consultants use the virtual communication model for consulting projects to reduce expenses.[3]
Clayton was born in Colombia and raised in Venezuela. She came to the United States at age 21 and worked for Air France and Continental Airlines before joining the world of ERP/Business Technology and SAP Change Management in 1997. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French and English.[4]
Services
VIP provides IT business services including: ERP project support/management, end-user training, implementation support, change communications, business technology training, application development, staff augmentation, curricular development, translations, technical writing and e-learning platforms. VIP specializes in ERP systems including SAP and Oracle training.[5]
VIP’s niche market includes converting documentation training into e-learning platforms and corporate universities.[1]
Awards
Award for Excellence; Better Business Bureau 2007, 2008, 2009 [6]
Fastest Growing Woman-Owned Business; Houston Business Journal 2009
Top 50 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Business; Houston Business Journal 2008 [7]
Fast 100 Growing Companies; Houston Business Journal 2008 (ranked 43rd)
Top Women in Technology Honoree; Association for Women in Computing 2007 [8]
Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2007 [9]
Top Houston Woman in Technology; Texas Gov. Rick Perry 2007
Top Minority-Owned Business; DiversityBusiness.com 2005
Emerging Ten (E-10) Award; Houston Minority Business Council 2001-2004 [10]
Facts
Certified by Houston by the Houston Minority Business Council.[11]
Accredited with Houston’s Better Business Bureau.[12]
Certified by City of Houston’s Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Program as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in March 2009.[13]
VIP created and/or contributes to three charities including the VIP Education Foundation, the Alba Navarro Fund and Angels for Soldiers. The VIP Education Foundation works with underprivileged, magnet schools training senior students on the use of SAP to give them marketable skills for the workplace. VIP donates the SAP education portals, training materials and trainer time to help the cause. The Alba Navarro Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Latin America liver patients. Angels for Soldiers is a volunteer-based nonprofit that trains and helps reactivate into society disabled military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.[14]
Clients
VIP has international operations in North America, South America, Europe and Australia. It serves more than 70 Fortune 500 corporations.[15]
References
- 1 2 Beachy, Debra (2004-10-29). "Price point, Virtual Intelligence Providers has taken an unusual tactic in the IT industry: competitive pricing". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "Mission Statement". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ Ray, Lisa (2004-08-12). "Small businesses using technology to level playing field". Daily Court Review.
- ↑ Beddow, John., Capper, Russ. (2005-08-27). "The Business Makers with Sonia Velasco Clayton". The Business Makers Radio Show. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "Products and Services". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "Awards for Excellence List". BBB. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "Top 50 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Businesses" (PDF). Houston Business Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "2007 Top Women Honorees". AWC. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "Entrepreneur of the Year" (PDF). Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "VIP Awards News Releases". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "HMBC". HMBC. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "BBB Company Accreditation". BBB. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "VIP News Releases". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "VIP Charities". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ↑ "VIP Clients". VIP. Retrieved 2009-06-30.