SnapIT Solutions

Team SnapIT is thrilled to announce these updates! We have a new brand identity and new headquarters.

Andrew Edson — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 07:07:29 +0000

Team SnapIT is thrilled to announce these updates! We have a new brand identity and new headquarters. Thankful for all the support we get as we march forward with more determination than ever.

snapit logo

Neelima Parasker planned for snow days — COVID came instead; How SnapIT is weathering the pandemic in a new space By: Austin Barnes and Tommy Felts- June 04, 2020

Andrew Edson — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 07:06:00 +0000

More than 20,000 square feet of silence greeted Neelima Parasker as she returned to work this week after Stay at Home orders lifted.

SnapIT Solutions

“Monday we opened up, but really, to very few people,” Parasker, CEO of SnapIT Solutions, said of the startup’s reentry to the traditional workforce — this time, inside a new office space that removes the company from the coworking scene.

Click here to learn more about the IT solutions startup, which specializes in minimum viable product buildouts, workforce development for programmers and other specialized capabilities.

More than 10,000 square feet of the new space — located inside the Rosana Square office park in Overland Park — is secured for SnapIT, which started moving from the GRID Collaborative Workspace before COVID-19 hit in early March.

The Rosana Square facility includes conference rooms, a mezzanine, outdoor gathering space, a full kitchen, a gym, and plenty of space for employees to spread out.

But in light of the pandemic, fanfare over the move almost immediately silenced, and Parasker sent her 43-member team home.

“I’m really thankful that I’m globally connected, not just locally,” she said, noting messages from friends in China began pouring in before news of the virus was being taken seriously in the United States.

“There was a day when I was walking out of the office and I said, ‘OK, there is this message coming from China,’ so I ran back into the office and said, ‘Let’s implement the Snow Day Protocol.’”

Such a move is exactly what it sounds like — a plan the company had put in place for its programming students and staff to work remotely should winter weather hit and keep the SnapIT team out of the office for an extended period.

The effort included providing computers and WiFi hotspots to everyone who needed them. A workforce development partner helped SnapIT fill in any shortages, including computers that students could keep after their programming training.

Click here to learn more about SnapIT’s efforts to train Kansas City programmers.

Little did Parasker know, she had drafted the perfect plan to navigate months of home officing in the wake of a global pandemic, she noted.

“I’m glad we did that. … That was probably a small gap, but I didn’t feel like I was putting my employees [at risk,] making them get into contact with people,” she said.

“I’m quite proud of my team. To stand up and just do it at that stage.”

SnapIT Solutions

And while SnapIT is now open for traditional business, the policy will hold steady until the end of the year, for those who aren’t ready to return to the office, Parasker noted.

So far, roughly seven employees have made their way back to the space — which is currently undergoing social distance modifications and has implemented such protocols as temperature checks, a guest log, and one-way routes through employee islands in the heart of the office.

Neelima Parasker, SnapIT Solutions

“High-risk employees cannot come into the office — and definitely not during the office hours,” Parasker elaborated on new company policies, drafted by the company’s new COVID-19 committee.

“It’s difficult to meet in this time. I feel empathetic and I feel there are too many voices speaking at this time,” she said. “I wish we had one voice speaking that made sense, but we’re just not sure who’s words to follow at this point, so we’re making our own.”

The SnapIT COVID committee meets weekly to review best practices and new guidelines — an evolving process that’s challenging for company leaders, Parasker added.

“I’m really being the bad cop,” she said, noting enthusiasm to return to work is widespread, but she’s actively stopping it in the interest of keeping her team safe long term.

“Nobody knows the best protocol. … What happens if some gets COVID? What happens if there’s a team that’s isolated? What happens if someone is in that situation and there’s a fatality? We have all age groups, all types, all genders [of people], so we should be prepared for all of these.”

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn

Kansas Governor Kelly Announces SnapIT’s CEO, Neelima Parasker appointed to the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce.

Andrew Edson — Tue, 19 May 2020 22:34:06 +0000

Governor Kelly Announces Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce to Lead State’s Economic Recovery

May 19, 2020

As part of her commitment to rebuilding Kansas and the economy, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce to lead the state’s economic recovery. The taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19.

The Recovery Office team will be responsible for the statewide distribution of significant CARES Act funding. A five-member executive committee will oversee the process, and the office will have a steering committee with an additional 15 members who will form three subcommittees. The three subcommittees will focus on communication and engagement, finance and policy development and implementation and accountability.

“The state’s recovery effort must serve urban and rural areas alike across the state, and all sectors of the economy” Kelly said. “I am grateful that our team membership reflects these ideals, and I want to thank these leaders for their willingness to serve in such challenged times.

“The health and economic challenges COVID-19 inflicted on our state truly are unprecedented – and we must use our collective talents to develop strategies to not only regain what we lost, but build a better, more inclusive and resilient economy.”

Earlier this month, Governor Kelly announced she had selected Cheryl Harrison-Lee as the Recovery Office’s executive director and Lyle Butler as the chair. Harrison-Lee has more than 30 years of experience in strategic leadership positions in a variety of corporate, entrepreneurial, private and public environments, and Butler has years of experience working with the business community and economic development as the President and CEO of several local Chambers of Commerce, most recently retiring from the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Cheryl and Lyle understand the needs of local communities in Kansas,” Governor Kelly said. “Their experience and dedication with be paramount during our state’s recovery effort and in the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding.”

“I look forward to working with these committees on a process that ensures transparency, equity and accountability, while leading Kansas’ recovery efforts from this challenging period in the world,” Executive Director Harrison-Lee said.

Other members of the SPARK Taskforce, appointed by the governor, include representatives of the business community, economic development and the Kansas Legislature. These taskforce members are:

Executive Committee

Tom Bell, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association, Topeka, Kansas;
Lyle Butler, President and CEO, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce (retired), Manhattan, Kansas;
Senator Jim Denning, Vice President, Discover Vision Centers, Overland Park, Kansas;
Jill Docking, Senior Vice President, The Docking Group – Baird Financial, Wichita, Kansas;
Alise Martiny, Business Manager, Greater KC Building and Trades Council, Shawnee, Kansas.

Steering Committee

Natalie Haag, Attorney, Capitol Federal Savings, Topeka, Kansas;
David Harwood, Senior Vice President, Terracon Consultants & Chair, KANSASWorks State Board, Olathe, Kansas;
Senator Tom Hawk, Ranking Minority Member, Senate Ways and Means Committee, Manhattan, Kansas;
Representative Dan Hawkins, House Majority Leader, Wichita, Kansas;
Edward Honesty, Jr., President & Chief Operating Officer, Best Harvest Bakeries, Kansas City, Kansas;
Chuck Mageral, Proprietor, Free State Brewing Company, Lawrence, Kansas;
David McCarty, Owner, McCarty Family Farms, Colby, Kansas;
Senator Carolyn McGinn, Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee, Sedgwick, Kansas;
Shelia Nelson-Stout, President and CEO, OCCK, Inc., Salina, Kansas;
Neelima Parasker, President & CEO, SnapIT Solutions, Overland Park, Kansas;
Jim Robinson, Partner, Hite Fanning & Honeyman, Wichita, Kansas;
Secretary David Toland, Department of Commerce, Topeka, Kansas;
Representative Troy Waymaster, Chair, House Appropriations Committee, Bunker Hill, Kansas;
Representative Kathy Wolfe-Moore, Ranking Minority Member, House Appropriations Committee, Kansas City, Kansas.

The final member of the taskforce will be a representative of the aviation industry and will be announced at a future date. Over the coming days and weeks, information on the Recovery Office and the SPARK Taskforce can be found at covid.ks.gov.

Announcing the 2020 Champions of Business honorees

Andrew Edson — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 23:04:26 +0000

Champions of Business honors metro area for-profit companies that set the gold standard for financial performance, innovation and community involvement.

ALICIA KRAMME/KCBJ

Two weeks ago, the Kansas City Business Journal announced this year's 16 Champions of Business. Now, the article is unlocked so everyone can see the honorees.

Champions of Business honors metro area for-profit companies that set the gold standard for financial performance, innovation and community involvement. Honorees were chosen by a panel of five judges. Companies have to be in business for at least three years and have gross revenue of at least $3 million annually.

These are this year's 16 honoree companies:

Acendas Travel
Andrews McMeel Universal
Block Real Estate Services
Chicken N Pickle
Commerce Bank
Custom Truck One Source
Dimensional Innovations
Generator Studio
Intouch Group
JE Dunn Construction
Netsmart
Pivot International
SnapIT Solutions
TREKK Design Group
WellSky
Woodley Building Maintenance

All 16 companies will be honored at an awards dinner that has yet to be rescheduled.

Source: https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2020/03/28/unlocked-2020-champions-of-business-honorees.html

SnapIT’s CEO, Neelima Parasker appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of KC Community Development Advisory Council as of January 1, 2020

Andrew Edson — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 00:34:12 +0000

Proud to share that SnapIT’s CEO, Neelima Parasker was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Community Development Advisory Council as of January 1, 2020. Congratulations to Neelima and the other council members, we wish them the best.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has announced five appointments to its Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) for 2020. The council, composed of community, business and labor leaders from the Kansas City Fed’s seven-state region, advises the Bank on current developments and emerging issues in community and economic development.

https://lnkd.in/eG2aVBM

World Economic Forum 2020 Annual conference in #Davos on “Technological Convergence”

Andrew Edson — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 21:15:47 +0000

SnapIT is honored to join the global conversation at World Economic Forum 2020 Annual conference in #Davos on "Technological Convergence" at The Digital Economist inaugural round table.

TDE – "Technological Convergence –

We need a human-centered approach to technological convergence. we will present opportunities to invest and contribute to select social impact innovations that address each of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #SFGs. The Digital Economist will integrate data on performance and provide reports, opinions, and action steps that each SDG coalition is taking, amplifying the impact of all involved.

At Davos TDG is announcing THE DIGITAL ECONOMIST COUNCIL, the extraordinary global leaders that embody a human-centered approach to technological convergence. Meet them at the World Economic Forum in Davos at The Digital Economist Night on Jan 23, 2020."

Congratulations to our CEO, Neelima Parasker on being inducted into TDG as their Council Member.

#digitaltransformation #blockchain #tech #futureofwork #womenintech #emergingtechnologies #davos2020

#economist #AI #WEF #womeninleadership #speaker #worldeconomicforum #wef2020 #davos #emergence
#adoption #privacy #AR #VR #MIT #leadership #DigitalEconomist #Council #digitaleconomy #DigitalEconomics

Congratulation Ann M. DeAngelo on your INCREDIBLE work – no one is more deserving of this Stevie award!!! SnapIT Solutions is so lucky to have you on the team ?

Andrew Edson — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:27:01 +0000

Thank you IBM for inviting our Founder and CEO Neelima Parasker (PMP)® to join the expert panel at Women and Diverse B2B Marketing event.

Andrew Edson — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:14:25 +0000

Kansas Department of Commerce Honored and recognized SnapIT Solutions for ‘Outstanding Minority Business’ of the year Award for the state of KS.

Andrew Edson — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:07:19 +0000

Overland Park based Snap IT Solutions , where it has succeeded training untapped talent in the metro to develop mobile and web applications.

Andrew Edson — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:06:54 +0000

Congressional committee visits KC metro, seeking to boost the ‘Silicon Prairie’
BY JOHN PEPITONE, UPDATED AT 05:51PM, OCTOBER 8, 2019

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — More entrepreneurs are starting technology firms in the metro area, but they face

challenges being located outside traditional tech hubs on the coasts.

The U.S. Congress hopes to help level the playing field.

There’s a perception in the tech industry that the Midwest lacks enough talent to meet the demand for
growth and constant innovations.

But founders of small start-ups in the Kansas City area told the U.S. Small Business Committee that
there are plenty of people who can be trained for careers in good paying technology jobs —
if companies seeking software solutions would look beyond the coasts.

Snap IT Solutions is based in Overland Park, where it has succeeded training untapped talent in
the metro to develop mobile and web applications.

“If you are working in creating more tech talent within the industry we can give you a grant or things
like that,” said Neelima Parasker, CEO and founder of Snap IT Solutions.

“That’s a great initiative for a company like Snap IT. We are looking to partner with major government
agencies like USDA or the Department of Homeland Security and work on their projects.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech job opportunities are expected to grow at a faster rate
than any other career in the professional sector, creating 22 percent more jobs during the next decade.

The Congressional committee hopes to develop policy that will enable America’s workforce to thrive
in the 21st century.