Independent Technology Advisor
Independent technology advice for your business decisions
Choose technology with a clear view of your business goals, requirements, risks, contracts and costs. Caisson helps you compare the options and decide what should come next.
A 30-minute initial advisory conversation with Brian Wade, Founder & Principal Advisor. What happens in a Technology Assessment?
Based in Seattle, Caisson advises organizations across five technology foundations: Connectivity, Communications, Cloud, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. We assess needs, compare technologies and providers, explain trade-offs, recommend appropriate solutions and coordinate selected providers. Our relationship continues through renewals, changes and future decisions.
Start with the decision your business needs to make
A contract is approaching renewal. Your business internet is unreliable. An office move creates a deadline. Your phone system no longer fits the way people work. Or a cloud, cybersecurity or AI decision needs an objective second opinion.
You can begin with one issue. We consider the connections between technologies without turning every conversation into a review of everything.
Connectivity
Which connections, providers and resilience options fit your locations and the work that depends on them?
We help evaluate business internet availability, performance requirements, redundancy, existing contracts and total cost. The comparison can include dedicated internet, broadband, wireless, private networking and SD-WAN where appropriate. Provider service levels, delivery responsibilities and limitations are part of the decision.
Communications
Should you retain, replace or consolidate your business phone and collaboration systems?
We start with customer call flows, users, locations, integrations and the way your team works. Then we compare phone, voice and unified communications options, including costs, number-porting requirements, transition responsibilities and the provider's support model.
Cloud
What belongs in the cloud, what should remain in place and which provider model fits your organization?
We help assess application and access needs, connectivity dependencies, recovery priorities, security responsibilities and costs. The recommendation considers existing investments and practical alternatives, including whether a change is needed. Technical migration and operation belong to the selected provider and/or your IT team under the agreed scope.
Cybersecurity
Which security priorities and provider choices deserve attention?
We help you put known concerns, business risk, existing coverage and responsibility gaps into context, then evaluate and source suitable cybersecurity technologies and providers. Options may include managed security services, endpoint protection, network security, monitoring and response services, and backup and recovery. The applicable provider and/or your IT team typically handles technical operation, monitoring, remediation, incident response, and ongoing security delivery.
Artificial Intelligence
Where could AI create practical value, and what needs to be understood before adoption?
We help frame the use case, desired outcome, readiness, data considerations, costs and questions for technology providers. Start with the work you want to improve and how you would judge success. Human review, ownership and the fit with your current environment belong in that conversation.
How Caisson helps you choose
Understand and assess
Clarify your goals, requirements, known concerns, current services, contract commitments, budget and timing.
Compare and recommend
Evaluate suitable technologies and providers. Explain capabilities, costs, trade-offs and responsibilities before recommending a direction.
Coordinate and advocate
Coordinate selected providers and remain an advisory resource for service issues, renewals, changes and future requirements.
For decisions spanning several foundations, explore IT consulting. For a contract, renewal or telecom cost decision, explore telecom consulting.
Independent advice with access to provider options
Provider relationships give Caisson access to alternatives to evaluate against your requirements. We explain the trade-offs behind a recommendation.
Caisson may be compensated by a selected provider in some engagements; where applicable, we explain the arrangement. Recommendations are based on fit with your organization, including requirements, costs, contract terms, support expectations, and long-term strategy.
Clear responsibilities from decision through delivery
Caisson understands requirements, assesses needs, compares technologies and providers, recommends appropriate solutions, coordinates selected providers, and provides ongoing guidance and advocacy.
The applicable provider and/or your IT team typically handles technical installation, configuration, migration, monitoring, operation, and support. We clarify those responsibilities as part of the decision and coordination process. Any additional Caisson role would need to be established and expressly agreed.
Real client decisions and outcomes
Fryer-Knowles
Evaluated telecom alternatives and contract timing to improve connectivity and reduce costs.
Interbay Veterinary Care Center
Restored reliable communications while reducing monthly telecom costs.
Ignite Financial Services
Modernized an aging phone system with Zoom Phone during an office move.
Questions before we begin
What happens in the initial Technology Assessment?
The initial Technology Assessment is a 30-minute advisory conversation with Brian to discuss your situation, clarify the decision and identify an appropriate next step. Technical testing, a detailed audit and a written report are not included in the booking. Any deeper Technology Foundation Review or other advisory engagement is separately scoped.
Can our existing IT team or provider be involved?
Yes. Their knowledge of your environment helps clarify requirements and responsibilities. Caisson works alongside the people responsible for delivering and supporting your technology.
Can you help after a provider is selected?
Yes. We can help coordinate provider conversations, advocate on service issues and review renewals or changing requirements. The provider and/or your IT team remains responsible for technical service delivery and support.
Discuss your next technology decision
Tell Brian what is changing, what needs to work better and any decision deadlines. Start with the situation you are facing.
Existing clients can start with a renewal, provider issue or new requirement.