VBE Spotlight on: Zepol Productions, Inc. DBA KiloTech

KiloTech

Scott Lopez & Michael Jones never knew when they met that they would form a lifelong friendship built in the foundation of their service in the United States Army.

Side by side, Scott & Michael ventured through their service years as M1A1 tankers in the active Army. After their service time together, they took skills developed in those years of service, and after, to build a thriving company built on quality Information Technology services.

Learn more by visiting their website: https://kilotechusa.com

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Contact



Michael Jones

Email: Michael.jones@kilotechusa.com

Business Phone: (512) 831-3663

Cell Phone: (660) 646-8708

Scott Lopez

Email: Scott.Lopez@kilotechusa.com

Business Phone: (512) 831-3663

Cell Phone: (310) 357-9407

About the Business - All Things IT

What services do you provide?

"We are a managed service provider of IT hardware and maintenance, but we specialize in the data center. We offer affordable third-party fiber optic cables, transceivers, memory, server maintenance, and complete lifecycle management – from sourcing to destruction."

Who are your primary customers? 

"FBI, Boeing, Carmax, ATOS, Navy, Valvoline, General Dynamics, Siemens, Hyundai, Hallmark, and Enterprise Rent-a-car."

When and how did you start your business? 

"KiloTech was created last year by Scott Lopez and Mike Jones. It is a part of the On The Way program, which is a not-for-profit organization designed to help newly discharged veterans find engaging employment and perhaps eventually start their own businesses."

Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change

What were some of the challenges in starting your business?

"The challenges of starting a business mostly lay in learning the ins and outs of the business world. I had a twenty-year career in the education field as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, so starting this business from scratch has come with a steep learning curve. Luckily, my partner Scott Lopez has twenty years in the IT distribution business."

What is the key to the success of your business?

"Automation is the key to our success. We have tried to make IT lifecycle management as simple as possible with our AOM Epicenter. The AOM epicenter is an asset management portal that allows you to track your assets, software renewals, and any maintenance activity you may have all in one secure location. We offer this remarkable tool free of charge to anyone who wants to manage their assets and, in turn, manage their business. KiloTech can handle your server business from sourcing to maintenance, to break-fix services, to extending the life of your hardware, all the way to the tracked destruction data hard drives. We offer TOTAL lifecycle management"

What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?

"First, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most people will help you if they can. If they can’t, or won’t, all they can do is say no. Also, make sure that you pay due diligence before you pay big money that won’t return your investment."

What pitfalls should they avoid?

"Avoid paying for services that you can get for free. Use the PTAC and do your research rather than spend thousands of dollars that you could use on other parts of the business."

What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA community?

"Our parent company is now the primary third-party maintenance provider for TDSynnex, the largest distributor in the world. KiloTech was created to offer those services to federal and corporate entities. With that said, we offer a real cost savings opportunity, and we encourage the NaVOBA community to take a hard look at our Third-Party Maintenance, legacy systems support, and total asset lifecycle management solutions.

Service Information

Branch:

Scott Lopez and Mike Jones served in United States Army from September 3, 1991, to September 2, 1994. They attended basic training together, were stationed in Fort Polk, LA, and were part of a BRAC move to Fort Hood, TX, where they fulfilled their active-duty contracts.

Scott Lopez would serve a couple more years in the Reserves, while Mike Jones would serve in the Reserves for 24 years, including three combat deployments.

Service Years:

US Army (Active Duty) 1991-1994

US Army Reserves  1994-2018

Deployments: Bosnia (1998), Iraq (2005-2006), Kosovo (2009-2010)

Highest Rank Attained:

Sergeant First Class

Why did you join the military?

"To serve my country in Desert Storm"

Military Occupation:

"M1A1 Tanker, Postal Operations NCO, and S1 NCOIC"

Biography/Fun Facts

In 10 years, you see yourself? "Retired and enjoying grandchildren"

People might be interested to know that? "I was a Social Studies teacher for 20 years, and I am part owner in a quilt shop."

What is your favorite TV show? "Deadwood"

What is your favorite sports team? "Kansas City Chiefs"

What’s in your refrigerator? "I wish plenty of desserts"

What artists are on your favorite playlist? "Brooks & Dunn, anything from the ’80s"

What is your dream car? "55 Chevy, or a Corvette Stingray"

What do you do to relax? "Carpentry and Yard Work"

What would you be doing if you weren’t a business owner? "I would probably be teaching"