This Startup Automates Document Management for a Smoother SharePoint Experience – SmiKar Startup Review

Document management challenges are a reality for IT managers and system administrators navigating the complex landscape of SharePoint Online. As organisations generate vast amounts of data, the struggle to efficiently archive and secure documents while keeping costs low becomes more pronounced. These professionals grapple with high storage expenses, compliance pressures, and the constant need for streamlined access to archived files.

Imagine the frustration of sifting through endless folders, seeking to balance security needs with operational efficiency. The possibilities for improvement are immense, but who has the time to make it all happen?

Enter Squirrel, the advanced automated document archiving tool that intelligently transitions files to secure Azure storage. By automating these processes, Squirrel not only reduces storage costs but also simplifies retrieval while ensuring robust security. With features designed to illuminate document lifecycles and provide detailed insights, it offers a comprehensive solution for today’s data management dilemmas.

Curious about how Squirrel came to be? We did an interview to find out more about its journey and the vision behind this innovative startup.

What is SmiKar?

SmiKar is an automated document archiving solution specifically designed for SharePoint Online users. It enables organisations to efficiently transition documents to secure Azure Blob Storage, vastly improving the management of data. By targeting IT managers, system administrators, and compliance officers in mid to large-sized organisations, SmiKar addresses significant challenges associated with document storage.

The primary issue that SmiKar solves is the costly and complex management of document storage within SharePoint Online. As businesses generate immense volumes of data, the task of archiving and securing these documents can become overwhelming. SmiKar simplifies this process by automating document archiving based on intelligent lifecycle policies, resulting in reduced storage costs and seamless retrieval.

What sets SmiKar apart in the competitive landscape is its focus on robust security measures and comprehensive reporting capabilities. With features such as encryption and secure authentication, organisations can feel confident that their archived data is protected. Additionally, SmiKar’s user-friendly design aids in easy access to documents, supporting natural workflows and enhancing operational efficiency. This combination of automation, security, and clarity makes SmiKar a noteworthy solution for businesses looking to optimise their document management practices.

SmiKar Founders

Mark Smith serves as the CEO and founder of SmiKar, his ambition rooted in years of experience in IT and software development. With a clear vision for addressing the challenges of document management, Mark leads SmiKar with a commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. His insights into the needs of IT managers and system administrators have been fundamental in steering SmiKar toward creating impactful solutions.

Alongside him are co-founders Jim and Chris, whose technical expertise has been pivotal in the development of the Squirrel platform. With a blend of strategic thinking and technical prowess, they ensure that SmiKar’s offerings not only meet but exceed industry standards. Together, this founding team brings over 75 years of collective experience in IT, reflecting a deep understanding of the critical challenges that mid to large-sized organisations face with document management.

The early days of SmiKar were marked by diligent research and honest conversations with industry peers to identify the pressing need for an automated document archiving solution tailored for SharePoint Online. This foundational phase involved grappling with technical complexities while refining their vision. It was during these early discussions that they recognised the need for a solution that could efficiently transition documents to secure storage, paving the way for what would eventually become Squirrel.

Their journey took shape as they explored the landscape of document management. Each founder actively contributed their unique expertise: Mark focused on strategic direction, while Jim and Chris committed themselves to the intricate details of developing the platform. The trio’s mutual dedication to solving real-world problems in document management fuelled their collaborative environment, allowing for innovative ideas to flourish. This synergy led to the creation of an automated solution that streamlines archival processes and ensures secure, easy access for users, leaving a lasting impact on their target market.

Interview with Mark Smith, CEO of SmiKar

I got the opportunity to sit down with Mark Smith, the CEO and founder of SmiKar, to learn more about the company and its unique solution for document archiving. Mark shared insightful details about the startup, its challenges, and future plans. Here’s a snippet of our conversation:

Q: What does your startup, SmiKar, focus on?
A: We automate SharePoint document archiving to secure Azure storage, making retrieval and reporting easy. Our target audience consists of IT managers, system administrators, and compliance officers in mid to large-sized organisations.

Q: What primary problem are you solving?
A: The main issue we tackle is the inefficient and costly management of document storage in SharePoint Online. Organisations accumulate vast amounts of data, making it complex and expensive to manage and store these documents. Our solution automates the archiving process, reducing storage costs and ensuring secure and easy access to archived documents.

Q: How does SmiKar address this problem?
A: Our platform, Squirrel, uses intelligent lifecycle policies to transition documents to Azure Blob Storage automatically. This reduces manual intervention and costs while maintaining easy access through stub files left in SharePoint. We provide robust encryption and secure authentication for data protection, along with comprehensive reporting for better document management insights.

Q: Can you tell us about your founding team?
A: Our founding team includes myself, Jim, and Chris. We bring over 75 years of combined IT experience. Jim and Chris played pivotal roles in developing the Squirrel platform, ensuring it meets high standards of quality and functionality.

Q: What inspired you to venture into this industry?
A: We noticed a gap in efficient and secure document management solutions for SharePoint Online. With our extensive IT experience, we understood the challenges organisations face in managing vast amounts of data. This led us to create Squirrel, addressing the critical needs of IT managers and system administrators.

Q: Could you share some details about the early days of your startup?
A: In the beginning, we had to identify the market need, develop a robust solution, ensure security, gain trust and visibility, and scale our infrastructure. Our journey involved extensive research, technical challenges, and building a reputation through networking and client engagement.

Q: How does SmiKar differentiate itself from competitors?
A: Squirrel stands out with automated, intelligent archiving, seamless integration with SharePoint Online, robust security measures, comprehensive reporting, a user-friendly design, and a customer-centric approach. Our expert founding team is dedicated to continuously improving our solution based on user feedback.

Q: What are your startup’s future plans?
A: We have several exciting plans, including enhanced reporting and analytics, AI-powered document management, expanded cloud integrations, mobile access, data compliance tools, and new collaboration features. We’re also working on integrating with third-party tools and expanding our market presence globally.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
A: My advice includes focusing on solving a real problem, leveraging your expertise, being persistent and patient, listening to feedback, delivering quality, networking, staying adaptable, planning and prioritising tasks, focusing on customer value, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Mark’s insights offer a glimpse into the dedication and strategic thinking that underpin SmiKar’s success. The company’s future plans and commitment to continuous innovation make it an exciting player in the document management space.

Feedough’s Take on SmiKar

SmiKar is clearly making significant strides in tackling the inefficiencies of SharePoint Online document management. By automating the archiving process and integrating closely with Azure, they’re not just easing the pain points of IT managers and system administrators; they’re setting a new standard in the industry.

The future looks promising for SmiKar, as they continue to innovate with potential AI integrations and mobile solutions which could disrupt the traditional document management approaches even further. Their commitment to security and cost-efficiency should also help them stay competitive in a challenging market.

Equally important is their focus on user-centric design and robust customer support, which could turn first-time users into long-term clients. Moving forward, ensuring scalability and integrating more seamlessly with diverse ecosystems could further solidify their market position.

SmiKar stands out as a beacon of efficiency and innovation—a company to watch in the evolving landscape of technological solutions for document management.