This article was very informative. It may be worth mentioning that the Kelowna International Airport is extending its runway in the upcoming year to accommodate non stop flights from Europe. For more information visit:

http://www.kelownaairport.com/

What a great place for such business development! Happy to see this kind of story.
Mary

Speaking directly to your section on IT Labor Supply, one major producer for the “young and talented” workforce in the Okanagan is the Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology Program at Okanagan College Since 2001, we have provided skilled telecommunications, computer systems and networking graduates to most major employers in the Okanagan Valley. Rackforce is currently a valued member of our Program Advisory Council.

http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/departments/engineeringtechnologies.html

I think it also worth mentioning that Okanagan College, also based in Kelowna, is home to a 2 year diploma in Network & Telecommunications where students can also move into a 4 yr degree specializing in more advanced topics in data communications. Our graduates now occupy positions within Rackforce, Telus, the Health Authority, Shaw and host of other IT positions within local & national companies.

And let's not forget the diploma and degree programs in Computer Information Systems which Okanagan College also offers.

Would it be impolite to point out that Okanagan Lake lies in a fault zone, so the region is not entirely free of earthquakes? It's certainly not 150 miles from a fault zone.

The Kelowna EDC people are off having fun in the Sun meetings down Florida way and people in Kelowna are losing their jobs. Not to mention the Kelowna's famous sub-par wages. How do you develop new business situations on $10-$14 an hour jobs (if you are lucky) Kelowna is not the in-place to make money. If you are looking for serious IT money. Head off to Calgary, there you can make excellent money, have a great economic experience. Calgary has gas, Kelowna is just full of it. Kelowna is just Whistler with an Airport,,,,waiting to take your cash for over priced homes, high priced food and a lower than low pay scale. Congrats to Rackforce but, do not let the OK EDC make you think this deal will create hundreds of Super Tech & Good paying jobs. Wrong.

HATE to see this kind of story! I go to Okanagan every summer at least for a few days. Visiting a few great wineries and goat cheese farm in Kelowna. I don’t want more tourists there! Your article drives my hotel prices up! :)

Rackforce's first datacenter wasn't very impressive (one of the things that happens in the learning stages of a company) but its subsequent efforts are quite professional. They have gained the know-how to manage a large data hosting facility through hands-on experience.

IronDiamond (Rackster) is a recent startup crippled by the founder's reputation. Any organization considering this outfit for data hosting should be cautioned.

Any IT professional will be disappointed with the tech environment in Kelowna. The companies there consider employees as commodities to be bought and sold like lumber. There are much more attractive IT worker markets in Alberta. Kelowna is a nice place to live but prospective employees will sacrifice earning potential.

--Mark.

Thank you for printing this most interesting article. A little surprising however is the following first comment from 'Anonymous"

As a public health researcher,it is my job to pass on reports and give my professional opinion on important new pharmaceuticals to hit the market.
The first thing I always do is this: Consider the source.

Have the studies been paid for by the pharmaceutical companies themselves? By the FDA? By an independent firm? Facts and figures- data can be easily slanted and I must always take this into account.

Whomever "anonymous" is...I find it uncomprehensable that he or she attack the character and reputation of the "owner" of Iron Diamond in such a public, slanderous manner.

What does "anonymous" stand to gain by making such defamatory personal remarks?

Has he or she invested heavily in the older company Rackforce and wants to keep the newer,more modern and perhaps BETTER Iron Diamond from doing well? Is it a personal vendetta?

what ( besides perhaps being slapped with a libel lawsuit) might one possibly gain from saying such things??

From what I have researched since reading this article, Iron Diamond is a newer company using leading edge technology from a custom made Data centre to provide individuals,businesses and large Corporations with hosting services and Disaster Relief Recovery as well as high end Security services.

To already have such a business "up and running" and not just in the planing stage must I'm sure have been no small feat, and it is exciting to see a business of such proportions right here in Kelowna.

If "Anonymous" has a personal bone to pick with the owner of IronDiamond, I would strongly advise that (s)he take it to the owner directly rather than use this article and this website as a platform to air such personal grievances.

I am not sure what the "owner" has done to you, or as you say "lied to you" about; but attacking this company is ridiculous.

If you would do your due diligence you can not help but be unbelievably impressed. Several of the largest shareholders and directors of the Company are some of the most successful businessmen in BC and have a reputation and business resume BEYOND reproach.Dont believe me, look for yourself. I will not write their names without their permission, but i do know that men of that calibre and with that business background can pick and choose with whom they invest.

Just knowing men of that Caliber are involved with Iron Diamond takes it to a whole new level for me, in fact in my mind, it almost guarantees its success.
How great for Kelowna!

I for one will be watching this company with great anticipation.

Regarding the comment from Dr A:

This individual cannot be a serious researcher.

IronDiamond was in contention with Rackforce to partner with IBM on the Gigacenter deal. If the credentials of IronDiamond are superior to those of Rackforce, why did IBM choose Rackforce?

I'm sure IBM knows what it is doing when it selects companies to partner with. An investment on the scale of the Gigacenter would require a great deal of diligence in terms of accurately assessing the companies involved.

If IBM's requirements were satisfied by Rackforce -- but not IronDiamond -- this is a pretty good indication of which firm has the better reputation and credentials.

Then again, what does IBM know when it comes to the datacenter industry?