MetroWest495 Biz

MetroWest495 Biz | May 2014 15 10 To wATCH C loud-based software solutions have rapidly evolved to become more feasible — and often more efficient — than software-based programs, as high-speed Internet has become cheaper and more available. Through that evolution, Allen Falcon has led his small cloud computing business, Cumulus Global, in Westborough. With 11 employees, the company is apparently poised for growth, netting industry awards for its cutting-edge solutions and recent rapid revenue growth. Come what may, Falcon seems content to keep his promising technology firm anchored in MetroWest. "It's very quietly home to some amazingly innovative companies," said Falcon, a 50-year-old West- borough resident. Falcon established his technology management consultancy business in 1993, which eventually led him to found Cumulus Global as a spin-off. Today, the firm is a reseller of Google Apps for Business and offers other tailored, cloud-based solutions to small to mid-sized companies, as well as education and government clients. While business clients have historically been the company's bread and butter, Cumulus is pouncing on opportunity in the education sector, according to Falcon. The company is now a Google in Education partner, meaning it trains schools as they seek to go paperless using Google technology and adopt Google Apps for Education. In December, Cumulus was recognized by trade publication CIO Review as one of the 20 most promising education tech solution providers. "There's this huge transformation happening in education and we're sort of in the middle of it," Falcon said. Like many other area business leaders, Falcon's only qualm with MetroWest is that it has historically lacked economic cohesion. But he said that's beginning to change, for the technology industry anyway. Falcon pointed to the launch of TechSandBox in Hopkinton as evidence that the industry here values collaboration, and he said the fact that there's a growing hub for technology west of Route 128 is a boon for all. Falcon said he looks forward to getting involved with TechSandBox in some capacity. Meanwhile, he serves on the board of directors for the Boroughs Jewish Community Center. As a founding officer, Falcon helped revamp the community center and establish a licensed preschool with full-day child care options. n Allen fAlCon CEo, Cumulus Global By eMily Micucci Lending is alive and well. www.avidiabank.com Member FDIC l Member DIF l Equal Housing Lender l NMLS# 422902 Avidia Bank is one of the top 10 Commercial, Industrial and Retail Mortgage Lenders in Massachusetts.* Something you may not have known. *As published in Banker & Tradesman

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