Long Island Sound

When talking with Bob Venero, CEO of Future Tech Enterprise Inc. (CRN Fast Growth No. 98), you get a feeling that something positive is about to happen. Venero has a relentlessly energetic outlook, even in an economy that right now seems lackluster at best. He started Future Tech in his basement in 1996 and just three months later moved to a 2,600-square-foot office in Holbrook, N.Y., where it remains today. Future Tech now boasts 80 employees nationwide and occupies more real estate: a 38,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. It grew 30 percent in 2007, with $65 million in revenue.

Venero is proud of the family atmosphere he's cultivated over the years. He spoke recently to CRN about the economic outlook, what's in the future for his business and Future Tech's relationship with Dell Inc.

CRN: What is your overall outlook for the tech sector for this year?

BOB VENERO: We are starting to see less focus on technology and more on operating efficiencies. Customers are taking advantage of what technology is out there today and are utilizing partners to help turn what they've spent into something more profitable.There's no question that ROI is going to be one of the strongest drivers in 2008, rather than anything else.

Future Tech Highlights: • 1996: Year founded • 1997: First-year sales for the privately held company totaled $100,000. More than 30 employees. • 1999: Revenue grows 250 percent. • 2004: Launches "Insource America," a program that will expand its help desk operrations. Wins "Top Value Added Reseller" award from the Association of Channel Resellers. • 2005: Wins VAR of the Year award from CRN sister publication, VARBusiness. • 2006: Aligns with Universal Understanding to increase market share in the federal space. • 2007: Sales on track to hit $80 million. ContractOne Secure product receives Top Software Award at 2007 Long Island Software Awards.

CRN: How do the next several months look for Future Tech?

VENERO: We went from 2007 to early 2008 from six field reps to 16. We're having an incredible year. We've been seeing very strong growth. We hired a CIO and we're hunting for a COO.

CRN: You recently met with New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. What was that conversation about?

VENERO: He met with a small group of Long Island companies. We talked about bringing additional funding to the Island to attract companies and eliminate some economic challenges. We need a marketing campaign.

CRN: What are some tech trends you see?

VENERO: One of the big tech trends is virtualization. Not from just the server side, but also from the desktop perspective. There's also an uptick in thin clients. Customers want to do more with less—it all goes back to ROI.

CRN: What's your relationship with Dell?

VENERO: Dell is part of the partner community now. The value to us is that we can leverage the relationship across platforms. It's even more of a value to customers because [we] can offer Dell notebooks, desktops and servers. We have a dedicated Dell channel rep, and we're one of eight large accounts on the East Coast.

CRN: You saw many tech companies pack up and go south. Have you ever considered moving?

VENERO: Honestly, no. We're dedicated to Long Island. From a location perspective, there is no better place to be.