Consultants tap cloud technology

What: Revel Consulting, Kirkland

Who: Joseph Sedmak, 34, founder

Mission: Meet clients' business challenges, often through the use of "cloud" computing technology.

Crop duster: The cloud has become a term for programs that operate outside a company's terra firma, providing service-based agreements that don't require substantial setup costs. Revel matches services to needs, using the cloud when appropriate and developing specific applications where they are needed. Sedmak said many business applications are generic, and need only a little tweaking to define their needs. One determining factor is size; the larger the company the harder it will be to develop a robust cloud application.

Both sides now: Sedmak said Revel not only helps clients hook up with the appropriate cloud application but also provides suggestions how software publishers can retrofit their product for the new platform. "Our cloud-computing practice is uniquely positioned to help both companies that offer cloud services as well as companies who will be the cloud's end users," he said.

Employees: 100

Financials: The private company says it is profitable. It expects $16 million in revenue this year, up from last year's $13 million. "We compete with the multinational consultancies and provide services that help you to increase return on investment," Sedmak said.

Sky's the limit: Sedmak said his client-service employees get involved in and committed to the client's operations and are encouraged to come up with "creative ideas" that will enhance the business. "Every one of our consultants are senior people who are invested in the client's business," he said. "We don't have any green beans."

— Charles Bermant