I’m Bob Solomon, founder, President, and Chief Bottle Washer of Software Platform Consulting, Inc. (SPCI). I’m relatively new to software consulting, but not to software.  Prior to founding SPCI, I was President of ServiceChannel, a SaaS platform in the facilities management industry. During my tenure, I helped ServiceChannel nearly double in size, institute a new business model, and dramatically improve profitability.

Prior to ServiceChannel, I was Senior Vice President, Network and Financial Solutions for Ariba, Inc. (now part of SAP). I reported to Ariba’s CEO and was responsible for monetization of the Ariba Network, Ariba’s cloud platform for connecting Global 2000 customers to their supply bases. I was fortunate to have a great team at Ariba that helped make the Ariba Network Ariba’s fastest growing and most profitable SaaS business.

Before my decade with Ariba, I spent 14 years working in the food industry supply chain. As Senior Vice President, Corporate Services at Silliker Laboratories Group, Inc. (now a Merieux NutriSciences Corporation), I helped the company grow into the world’s leading food testing and consulting network through organic growth and acquisitions. I had responsibility for sales, marketing, IT, and HR. (I have many good stories about the quality and safety of various foods!)  I also served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Food Ingredients Division of The NutraSweet Company, a division of Monsanto. (And no, NutraSweet does not cause your headaches!)

I was lucky to begin my career in the Chicago office of The Boston Consulting Group, as an Associate Consultant. I am still indebted to BCG for all the company taught me.

I serve on the boards of Eved, OEConnection, Procure Analytics, and Lytica. I have previously served as Lead Director of Ariel Investments and on the boards of Hubwoo SA (NYSE Euronext: HBW), Silliker Laboratories Group, Inc., Enverus, Bamboo Rose, XSB Inc., LeaseAccelerator, as well as The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (my beloved high school alma mater).

I received my AB in Economics from Princeton University, Summa Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. I received my MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, where I was an Arjay Miller Scholar (top 10% of class). (Both of these institutions were a lot easier to get into back then!)

What I’m writing about Enterprise Software