BizSpark Startup of the Day - Planium
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The BizSpark startup of the day is Planium, based in Finland. Below you will find an interview with Mikko Hokkanen, Founder and CEO of Planium. All the best to them and congratulations for being the startup of the day!
Website: www.planium.fi
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Tell us who you are and your role in the company:
Mikko Hokkanen, founder and CEO of PLANIUM company.
What did you do before creating your company?
I was a Development Director in a company which was focusing on creating innovative software solutions to a construction industry. They were one of the few companies focusing on solutions which had never been done before. Great place to work and very innovative team.
How do you feel being the most promising ‘Startup of the Day’ per Microsoft BizSpark?
We are very happy about it. We have done a lot of work for creating our solution and we are very proud of the results.
What is your company’s mission?
We want to improve data management on a multi-company projects and create a great value to our customers. We can achieve this by moving workload from user to software solutions and by improving usability of software solutions.
In 140 characters or less, tell us what your company does:
We develop solution called PLANIUM PM. PM refers to Project Modules. Our solution is focused on a multi-company projects and it contains over 20 modules, which customers can choose from.
How did you get the idea for your company?
I noticed that all solutions offered to a multi-company projects are based on the fact that users have to use huge amount of time to upload, download and fill different information regarding the project events and documents. This has caused a situation where software solutions are rarely up to date. Our solution changes that.
Tell us about your funding history. Are you currently looking for funding? If so, how much?
We are self-funded. At this point we are not looking for external fundings.
Are you hiring?If yes, what are you hiring for and where?
Not at this point. However, we are always looking for innovative persons to work with us.
Which platform are you building on?Why?
Core of our solution is using ASP.NET and Microsoft SQL Server. Our solution can also be used with a Windows Client programs through Web Services.
We are using Microsoft’s solutions because we believe that those are best tools for us. 99% of our customers are using Microsoft Windows on their workstations and all of our client can use our solution with a web browser.
Where do you see opportunities today in the Software/Internet area?
I would recommend that all developers simply look around. There are lots of solutions, which are 10-15 years old, with a bad usability. Companies will replace these solutions quite soon.
Social media is a good opportunity for companies who are creating solutions for consumers.
What do you think about the BizSpark Program?
It’s a great thing to new companies. We have received superior support from Microsoft’s organization in Finland.
Do you have any advice for young Software entrepreneurs?
Don’t create a solution for IT management, create solutions for the end users. Remember who is using your solutions and try to make it as user friendly as possible.
What’s the ONE THING you would like readers to take away from this interview?
Software solutions are for the users. Users are not for the software solutions.
Published: 1/10/2011 11:14 AM
Company: Planium