Robert Marhamat, CEO of ServerPlex
Robert Marhamat is CEO of ServerPlex - one of the few web hosts that also offer onsite services. In this interview he gives us an overview of ServerPlex, their focus on the business community, and what he thinks will be the next big thing to hit the Internet.
- HOSTSEARCH: Thank you for taking some time out to do this interview -I know there must be countless other things you could be doing! Perhaps you could start by telling us about yourself and your role in Serverplex.com.ROBERT MARHAMAT: Being that I am the CEO of ServerPlex I tend to focus most of my time learning about the needs of our customers, so that I am able to steer our product and services to cater to the needs of our clientele. In the recent six-month time period ServerPlex has been growing at a tremendous rate due to our ever-changing suite of products and services that help our customers grow their business - hence, ServerPlex is growing its business.
In May of 2002 after the completion of my BS in Computer Science and number of years in sales and management, I decided to launch ServerPlex, essentially to create a technology company catering to the needs of small business owners. It is exciting to be a part of a growing company where you know you are making a difference. - HOSTSEARCH: What's the history of Serverplex.com - perhaps you could give us an overview of how the company started, the path it has taken since then, and its major milestones.ROBERT MARHAMAT: Back in 2002 ServerPlex catered specifically to the reseller hosting market at its inception. Since then we have altered our mission statement to be the leader in providing "technology" services to small to medium-sized businesses. ServerPlex has really come a long way since its early days. We have since expanded our portfolio of products and services and are quickly becoming the "technology provider" for businesses and individuals.
ServerPlex did hit a growth hurdle in 2004 when individuals were drawn to low prices and huge amounts of space and bandwidth for either personal websites or low-traffic business websites. As we specifically sold bulk reseller accounts, we decided to offer large hosting packages for shared hosting customers, hence increasing our market share and quickly ramping up sales. - HOSTSEARCH: 1. Your web site is very distinctive, inviting people into different sections - one covering hosting, web development, or web design services; the other computer support or networking services. To what extent does this reflect your corporate structure? Does Serverplex.com represent two distinct divisions?ROBERT MARHAMAT: This is a very interesting question. To answer your question quite literally, yes, we are broken up into 2 divisional departments. As I stated earlier, ServerPlex is quickly becoming the "technology provider" quite specifically in the San Francisco Bay Area, as we grow our products and services. Our major target market is devised of small business customers; we periodically take surveys relating to the technology needs' of their businesses. One thing that we noticed was these newer companies did not have the budget to have a full-time IT department present at their facility. This information contributed to the birth of our new division, ServerPlex Onsite, which provides onsite support for small to medium-sized businesses. Our corporate structure has since broken up into two divisions each focusing on its service offering, although each contributing to our mission to become the household name in technology services.
- HOSTSEARCH: The 'hosting' side to your web site suggests Serverplex.com is an 'affordable small business web hosting solutions provider'. Why did you decide to differentiate Serverplex.com as a 'business' provider rather than, like other hosts, catering to all markets?ROBERT MARHAMAT: While we do cater to individuals that require shared hosting, our core business still directly targets small businesses. Our focus on small businesses has allowed us to grow in the SMB sector and quickly deploy new tools and services that help our clients' advance in the business world.
ServerPlex strives to help small businesses grow and advance by providing cutting-edge technology and consulting advice. You get more than hosting when you signup for our services - you get a technology consultant. Whether our client spends $4.99 a month or $4000 a month, we are dedicated to providing them the support they deserve.
As recently seen with the deployment with our new ServerPlex Onsite service, ServerPlex is catering to the needs of small businesses by acting as a part-time IT department. We were once a small business and understand the needs that small businesses' possess. - HOSTSEARCH: The 'onsite' side of your web site is fairly unique - I am not sure I have seen this range of services sitting next to some of the more familiar web hosting services on offer. What made you decide to offer onsite computer and connectivity repairs alongside hosting and other web related services?ROBERT MARHAMAT: We noticed that newer companies did not have the budget to have a full-time IT department present at their facility. This information contributed to the birth of our new division, ServerPlex Onsite, which provides onsite support for small to medium-sized businesses as well as individuals.
- HOSTSEARCH: Given your diverse range of offerings, where do you expect Serverplex.com to be in 5-10 years?ROBERT MARHAMAT: ServerPlex will continue to grow and lead the sector with all things computer. Our clients often tell us that we are the backbone to their success as we provided the tools needed for them to run their businesses' more efficiently, thus leading their competitors.
We continue to invest a large portion of our earnings into research and development in order to be ahead of the game with our offerings. Additionally, we consistently run quality assurance surveys to make sure we improve upon areas that our clients want to see improve.
ServerPlex is determined to lead the industry in 5-10 years by doing what we do best - providing technology services coupled with great customer service. - HOSTSEARCH: Why should a web developer choose you over another web host? What specific features does Serverplex.com have that means someone should use your services above another host?ROBERT MARHAMAT: ServerPlex specifically caters to the web developer market by providing bulk reseller accounts with a growing list of developer scripts. This helps developers cater to their customers wants' while providing a robust product. In addition, developers have access to our growing list of technologies which include TomCat and Ruby on Rails.
- HOSTSEARCH: We ask this of everyone we interview: What do you feel will be the next big thing to hit the Internet and how will it impact people's lives?ROBERT MARHAMAT: I see the shift occurring more day-by-day from brick and mortar to online sales. I envision VoIP and the increased trust in E-commerce will make the Internet a major distribution channel of goods and services.
- HOSTSEARCH: What do you feel are the biggest problems inherent in the hosting industry and what would you do to overcome them if you could.ROBERT MARHAMAT: The biggest problems in the hosting industry are definitely related to fly-by-night hosting companies that provide inadequate service and advertise huge amounts of resources for pennies on the dollar. While people usually learn and move towards companies that pride themselves in service and support, the former experience usually leaves a bad taste in their minds in regards to the whole industry.
- HOSTSEARCH: Obviously it takes a lot of drive to run a successful business like Serverplex.com; how do you balance things out? What do you do to enjoy yourself when you are not hard at work?ROBERT MARHAMAT: ServerPlex has become a part of my life and I choose to spend endless days and nights developing the business. While not here at work, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family.
During my spare time, I enjoy exercising (have to keep fit while sitting at a desk!), web design, and just about anything dealing with a computer. Whether it's trouble-shooting, networking, customizing, building or adding on to, it's all about the computers!
