Latest episode: March 27.
Season 1. Episode 2. Deltek Stories
“Democratizing GovCon accounting software: building bridges and eliminating barriers.”
Episode 2.
“Deltek Stories.”
In 1983, Eric Brown drove to the Sears in Tysons Corner and bought an IBM XT computer. The goal: to build the very first accounting software for government contractors. Deltek was born.
Within a year, Deltek sold its first copy to one of Don deLaski’s accounting clients. And, yes, Eric personally installed the software from floppy disks.
Big ideas. Lessons learned. And a look back at humble beginnings and momentous success. Original Deltek founders, Ken deLaski and Eric Brown, share all that and more on today’s Mosaic podcast.
It takes a village.
“What was the spark? Honestly, I needed to make some money.”
Don and Ken deLaski had longed mused about transforming Don's special approach to government contract accounting into a software program. At last, Don decided to “just do it.” Ken felt it would be fun to try – but as an eager 25-year-old with a bit of debt – he also had some modest personal financial goals in mind.
“Get back out there and start programming!”
Don deLaski's practical approach also made Deltek an unwitting forerunner of lean software methodologies. Long before the rise of RAD (Rapid Application Development), JAD and others, Deltek dispensed with lengthy design and specifications in order to get to market.
“To me it was so much fun to create.”
Creating the world's first GovCon accounting software was not only a practical software and hardware challenge – the real fun was to digitally envision double-entry, indirect cost allocations and other principles. Despite Ken's strong accounting background, in 1983 designing such a breakthrough system involved some trial and error.
“Building bridges and eliminating barriers for smaller companies.”
Perhaps Deltek's most enduring contribution to the government contractor community was democratizing sophisticated accounting practices and compliance for organizations of all shapes and sizes. Today, TBS carries that mantle from software and services through its cloud delivery stacks, both custom and platform.
“Kudos to TBS.”
As with the founding and growth of Deltek, Ken deLaski sees TBS filling a critical role in the GovCon market. Eric Brown readily acknowledges that “borrowing a page from Ken's playbook” has been key to the continued success of TBS.
Mosaic Podcast: S1.E2 Deltek founders
Ken deLaski
Co-Founder & CEO, Deltek and Founder & President, Vibrant Village
Eric Brown
COO, Technology & Business Solutions and Co-Founder, Deltek“Teamwork, ambition, and vision, then doing the work.
These themes encapsulate the story of the founding and growth of Deltek – today regarded as the gold standard for nearly all GovCon software segments (from capture to accounting to business intelligence).
Deltek truly defined the category.”
Tune in. Jump ahead.
Watch and listen to the Mosaic podcast on your favorite platform. Each month we explore the confluence of the cloud, connectivity and compliance for federal government contractors.
Big ideas grounded in practical insights for action.
“Deltek stories.”
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Mosaic Podcast, Brent Stinar engages with Ken deLaski and Eric Brown in a rich discussion about the inception, growth, and impact of Deltek. They dive into the challenges and breakthroughs encountered while navigating the tech industry, offering insights into the entrepreneurial spirit that drove Deltek's success.
Ken deLaski shares his journey from conceptualizing Deltek in his basement to leading a company that revolutionized software solutions for government contractors. His reflections on the pivotal decisions and key moments in Deltek’s history provide a fascinating glimpse into the mindset required for business innovation.
Eric Brown, bringing his perspective as COO of Technology & Business Solutions LLC, enriches the conversation with his experiences in operational excellence and strategic growth. Together, they discuss the importance of adaptability, foresight, and a strong team dynamic in sustaining business growth and relevance in a fast-evolving sector.
The Genesis of Deltek
The story begins in 1983 when Ken deLaski and his father, inspired by the potential of personal computers, embarked on developing the first accounting software for government contractors. Their innovation democratized accounting solutions, making sophisticated financial management accessible to smaller businesses.
Rapid Growth and Industry Impact
Deltek's journey from a basement startup to a pivotal industry player showcases the power of addressing niche needs within the government contracting space. Their story is not just about software development but also about understanding and solving the unique challenges faced by their clients.
Philanthropy and Beyond
Ken deLaski’s transition from technology entrepreneur to philanthropist through the Vibrant Village Foundation highlights a profound journey towards making a global impact. This pivot underscores the holistic vision that success encompasses more than business achievements; it also includes giving back and fostering community development worldwide.
Highlights
The Foundational Spark of Deltek
[03:41]
Ken deLaski discusses the early motivation behind Deltek, highlighting a blend of familial inspiration and the allure of financial independence. This part of the conversation reveals the humble beginnings and the visionary leap from traditional accounting practices to innovative software solutions.
"He somehow worked out a way to do their accounting... and finally he just said: Let's just go hire a programmer. We'll just go do it."
Building a Tech Legacy: The Synergy of Minds
[15:11]
Eric Brown shares his initial integration into Deltek, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and diverse skill sets that propelled the company forward. This segment underlines the importance of diverse talents and perspectives in driving technological innovation and business success.
"Peter was this thinker and even a little bit of a worrier and, are we doing it right? And Eric would just plow in, just get it done. Accounting is black and white. You either do it right or you don't. And if you don't do it right, you know right away. So we didn't have to screw around with too much. So yeah, it's so much fun."
Deltek’s Evolution: Embracing Client-Server Technology
[34:09]
The conversation shifts to Deltek’s strategic decision to develop Costpoint, addressing the necessity to evolve with technology and remain competitive. This narrative underscores Deltek's adaptability and foresight in navigating the shift from traditional software models to client-server architectures.
"I think we pretty much saw the writing on the wall that we wanted to continue to grow. We were going to have to do something different."
Philanthropy and Vibrant Village
[46:08]
Ken deLaski transitions from recounting Deltek’s corporate journey to sharing his passion for philanthropy through the Vibrant Village Foundation. This part illuminates deLaski’s personal growth and his commitment to making a significant impact beyond the tech industry.
"I remember very specifically coming back on the plane from Haiti [...] and the idea of working in small communities is to not just put band-aids on problems but to actually kind of start from the ground up."
Latest episode: February 26.
Season 1. Episode 3. Let's solve for CMMC.
“Let's talk about tackling CMMC compliance by focusing on practical progress not FUD.”
Episode 3.
“Let's solve for CMMC.”
Here’s an idea. What if there was a way to talk about tackling CMMC compliance that focuses on practical progress… not on what’s not ready, and what’s not defined, and what deadlines are slipping, and how much it costs? Basically, not on FUD?
That’s the idea behind today’s Mosaic podcast. Let’s solve for CMMC. Can we do that?
Big ideas. Practical action.
“One thing for CMMC readiness.
Spanning a range of compliance expertise, our podcast guests suggest the following to get started with CMMC — collaboration, cloud technology, AI and smart targeted outsourcing.
“AI and the CMMC ecosystem.”
The looming CMMC delivery bottleneck may be “The GovCon moment for AI” — artificial intelligence is poised to help CMMC analysts "punch above their weight."
“Teaming and technology.”
For organizations struggling to start their CMMC compliance journey, finding the right partner and best technology platform make all the difference.
Mosaic Podcast: S1.E3 CMMC experts
Theo Pahigiannis
CMMC Consortium
Dr. Timothy Schilbach
Penacity LLC
Aaron Christmas
Ronathan
Jay Ethridge
Technology & Business Solutions“One of our core tenets on the Mosaic podcast is that we’re better together. So, today we’ve assembled an incredible team of practitioners, and business leaders, and technologists that is brilliantly solving CMMC compliance.”
“Let's Solve for CMMC.”
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Mosaic Podcast, we dive into the complexities of CMMC compliance with insights from leading figures like Theo Pahigiannis, Jay Ethridge, Aaron Christmas, and Dr. Timothy Schilbach.
They explore the significance of diagnostic tools and self-assessments in streamlining compliance processes for defense contractors. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of cybersecurity requirements and the critical role of collaboration and technology in achieving compliance goals.
This dialogue sheds light on the challenges and strategies in securing the defense supply chain, emphasizing the necessity of continuous improvement and the integration of AI to enhance efficiency and compliance management.
Diagnostic Tools: Revolutionizing CMMC Compliance
The podcast highlights the transformative role of diagnostic tools and self-assessments in the CMMC compliance journey. Dr. Timothy Schilbach emphasizes that early diagnosis of gaps in cybersecurity practices saves organizations significant time and resources. By providing an initial intake report, businesses can rapidly identify where they stand against CMMC requirements without incurring hefty consultancy fees. This approach not only streamlines the compliance process but also empowers organizations with actionable insights to address their cybersecurity vulnerabilities efficiently.
AI: A Game Changer in Compliance Management
AI's pivotal role in easing the compliance burden for defense contractors is a standout insight. Aaron Christmas discusses how AI-powered tools can dissect vast amounts of compliance documentation, offering tailored advice and automating the gap analysis process. This technology significantly reduces the manual effort involved in understanding complex regulatory frameworks. AI's capability to analyze and recommend compliance strategies is heralded as a breakthrough, potentially resolving the bottleneck challenges in the defense supply chain, marking a monumental moment for AI in government contracting.
CMMC Compliance: A Continuous Journey
Theo Pahigiannis sheds light on the ongoing nature of CMMC compliance, stressing it's not a one-time achievement but a continual process. Organizations must adapt to a "compliance lifestyle," integrating continuous improvement and regular assessments into their operations. This insight underscores the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, where staying compliant requires constant vigilance and adaptation to evolving threats. It challenges businesses to shift their mindset from viewing compliance as a checkbox exercise to embracing it as a fundamental aspect of their operational ethos.
Highlights
Diagnostic Tools and Self-Assessments
[00:02:19]
The podcast opens with a focus on the importance of diagnostic tools and self-assessments for defense contractors navigating CMMC compliance. Dr. Timothy Schilbach elaborates on the significant cost and complexity reductions these tools offer, providing a practical starting point for organizations to understand their cybersecurity posture. This discussion underscores the necessity of accessible, straightforward tools in demystifying the compliance process for businesses of all sizes.
"I guess it's kind of like going into the mechanic shop with your car and not knowing what's wrong with it essentially and then having to pay thousands of dollars to be able to understand what is even wrong with your car before you can get a chance to go fix it."
Dr. Timothy Schilbach, Penacity
AI and Compliance Efficiency
[00:31:18]
Aaron Christmas dives into how AI is set to revolutionize the compliance process by helping analysts and companies manage the vast documentation and technical requirements of CMMC. AI's capacity to make objective assessments and sift through enormous datasets stands out as a critical advancement, potentially easing the significant burden on companies struggling with the complexity and breadth of cybersecurity regulations.
"We see AI sort of helping in a couple of different ways here. [...] One of the things that AI is able to do is sort of help those newer analysts punch above their weight."
Aaron Christmas, Ronathan
Collaboration for Compliance
[00:07:45]
Teaming and technology are highlighted as essential elements in achieving CMMC compliance. Theo Pahigiannis discusses the creation of the consortium to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including technology providers and government contractors. This collaborative approach is presented as a solution to the challenges posed by the evolving cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the synergy between expertise and technology in overcoming compliance hurdles.
"It's teaming and technology that's going to get us there. [...] We have a combination of experience and technology and resources to bring it all together so we can do things faster and more effectively moving forward."
Theo Pahigiannis, CMMC Consortium
Tune in. Jump ahead.
Watch and listen to the Mosaic podcast on your favorite platform. Each month we explore the confluence of the cloud, connectivity and compliance for federal government contractors.
Big ideas grounded in practical insights for action.