At the heart of The Answer Company is a dedicated team of professionals with a wide base of technical and application expertise. Our designers, technical staff, installation experts, trainers and consultants are all committed to providing excellent customer service.
Whether your existing systems need to be streamlined or serviced, or you need external expertise on a special project, The Answer Company's experienced and diverse team is dedicated to your success. We take the time to understand your business, utilize effective processes and carefully manage all aspects of our software projects.
Shawn Ostheimer
President
Shawn Ostheimer founded The Answer Company in 1994 and continues to manage the company's growth. With a Masters in Business Administration and 15+ years of implementing financial and management software systems, Shawn has contributed to every facet of improving clients' business processes. His experience includes business analysis, system design/analysis, training, implementation, data conversion, software installation, customer support and project management.
Shawn has always taken an active role in helping his clients improve their businesses. His focus on customer service as a top priority is an important part of the company's success. Shawn's hard work and commitment to seeing projects completed properly and on time translate into long term relationships with clients who keep coming back as the needs of their organization change.
Shawn is a member of BC Technology Social Venture Partners (SVP) where he gives of both his time and expertise. SVP is a charitable foundation created by individuals in BC's technology industries that supports groups serving children, women at risk and people living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Shawn is married to Rachel and together they have a wonderful son and daughter. Rachel contributes to The Answer Company as the bookkeeper.
Aaron Boyes, CGA
Senior Consultant and Implementation Specialist, MAS 500
Aaron joined The Answer Company in 2004 and is a Senior Consultant with the MAS 500 Team. As a Certified General Accountant (CGA) with seven years of experience at Westminster Savings Credit Union, he brings to the team a valuable real-world understanding of the deployment of accounting software systems, specifically products from Sage Software.
As a MAS 500 specialist, Aaron focuses on project management, installation, implementation, training, and ongoing systems support. He has particular expertise with MAS 500's financial software suite and its supporting products, including FRx, FRx Forecaster, FAS Fixed Assets, and Active Planner. His combination of technical and financial knowledge, as well as years of experience as an end-user of accounting systems, allows him to match the technological capabilities of the software he deploys to the business needs of The Answer Company's customers.
Aaron enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and biking.
Angela Zhou, B.Sc., B.B.A.
Consultant, MAS 90/200 and Crystal Reports
Angela joined The Answer Company in early 2004, and provides expertise in reporting, software customization, programming, data conversion, and data management to customers deploying MAS 90/200 and Crystal Reports. Her understanding of a variety of programming and scripting languages, as well as data storage, exchange, and reporting standards — plus degrees in both Computer Science and Business Administration — give her a well-rounded advantage in making business processes work more effectively for her customers.
Angela's previous work with several prominent Vancouver technology companies, including Business Objects, the developer of Crystal Reports, included both application and Web site development using a number of different tools. Angela has also worked with several accounting packages, providing her with expertise in utilizing Crystal Reports to analyze financial information in a variety of environments.
When she's not working, Angela's favourite pastimes include cycling and jogging.
Bill Der
Consultant, Project Manager, and Account Manager
Bill Der has been with The Answer Company for six years. In addition to his many client service roles, he also handles some of the company's general administration. Bill's program specialties are Active Planner, Advance Allocation, Sage MAS 90, and Sage MAS 200. Bill can be depended on for his timely responses to any query.
Bill has fifteen years of experience with financial software systems and implementation (Mainframe and PC) mainly in the financial institutions industry, such as Trust companies and Credit Unions. He has also worked in small to large system consulting firms servicing clients ranging from municipalities to pulp mills. In his leisure time, Bill is studying jazz piano.
Cindy Sampson
Senior Consultant and Implementation Specialist, MAS 500 and PFW
After 15 years as an accountant, Cindy moved from an Assistant Controller position at one of the Answer Company's first clients, where she managed financials, personnel, and information technology, to join us in 1995. She started by installing and supporting Platinum for DOS and Windows, moving on to Epicor and then MAS 500 several years later. She continues to install the software, train users, troubleshoot configurations, and help programmers integrate the accounting systems with other applications.
Cindy's background in manufacturing and long experience with the full range of business processes in companies of all sizes has helped her work with clients ranging from small businesses to organizations as large as the British Columbia Teachers' Federation. She particularly enjoys providing customer support because she can both enlighten people and have them enlighten her.
Darren Redies, B.Com
Technical Implementation Consultant, MAS 500 and Platinum for Windows
Darren has been with The Answer Company since 1999, and specializes in implementing Sage MAS 500, Platinum for Windows (PFW), Crystal Reports, and Epicor's Clientele. He has been involved with over 25 The Answer Company projects and continues ongoing support for many of those clients. He was previously the IT Manager and Web master for a large optical supplier, where he developed an online sales system and managed the internal network.
Darren provides installation, training, and implementation, as well as data conversion and customization, to help customers streamline their workflows. Darren believes in using his skills to ensure that software fits the needs of clients, instead of forcing clients to adapt to the software.
When not racing to meet deadlines, Darren enjoys racing sailboats, long-distance running and spending time with his growing family. He is a past participant in the Vancouver Sun Half Marathon.
Ian Merkel
Sales Solution Specialist
Ian Merkel has been with The Answer Company for five years. As a Chartered Accountant with more than twenty years experience in manufacturing and distribution systems, Ian specializes in solution selling and implementation and project management for Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 500, and BatchMasterPFW. Ian takes the time to listen to clients' concerns and evaluates possible solutions to overcome their obstacles or challenges.
Ian has a valuable blend of financial and technology experience and has held various positions in both disciplines, including Financial Controller/VP, Software Consultant, and Software Reseller. When he not resolving client challenges, Ian enjoys playing competitive tennis and is an avid film festival fan.
Jenny Steele, B.Ed.
Implementation and Training Specialist, Abra, MAS90, PFW and Accpac
Jenny has been with The Answer Company since 1998. She has more than 18 years of experience in implementing and training for financial, distribution, and payroll software. With a background in teaching, administration, and accounting, Jenny now provides training and manages implementation for Sage's ABRA Human Resources Management System (HRMS), as well as Sage FAS (Fixed Assets), and FRx Report Writer. She also implements and trains customers on Platinum for Windows (PFW) and MAS 90/200 accounting systems.
Jenny's favourite role is being there for her customers, guiding them through the entire implementation process, from installation to going live with new software, to staff training. She shares her vast store of knowledge and experience during training, either one-on-one or in a group setting, and in post-implementation support.
Jenny enjoys traveling, particularly in warmer climates. Other favoured activities include biking, skiing, hiking and gardening.
Paul Fagerlund
Consultant
Paul Fagerlund joined The Answer Company in 1995, and provides behind the scenes expertise in customization and interface development. With a bachelor degree in science from UBC and a diploma in computer systems technology from BCIT, Paul began developing accounting and employee time tracking systems over 20 years ago and has never looked back. Today, he works with PFW, Epicor and MAS500 systems, customizing the processes and interfaces to solve each client's challenges.
Paul brings a solid understanding of how practical, effective, user-friendly software can be built to suit the needs of all businesses. He has extensive experience working with a variety of languages, systems, and network structures. Previous to his work at The Answer Company, Paul worked with Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation, adding utilities to increase functionality between their general ledger and accounts payable modules. As well, he has built a complex, multi-relational system to handle Eurocentres Canada College's accounting, scheduling, and programming functions.
Paul spends his personal time running, skiing, and playing floor hockey and tennis.
Paul Pathy
Solutions Specialist
Paul Pathy has over 8 years experience with Sage Software products and has recently joined The Answer Company. With a Masters of Business Administration and 15 years experience in sales, business analysis, and marketing in the technology sector, Paul particularly enjoys the challenge of finding the best solution to suit the customers' goals and budget. He currently works with BV, MAS90, MAS200, Abra HRMS, and the Payroll & Norming product groups.
Within his role as Solutions Specialist, Paul works with customers to analyze their business needs and recommend options that will resolve problems and improve their business systems. Paul has been doing just that for a number of years, working for companies in Vancouver, BC; Las Vegas, NV; Vermillion, SD; and later as president and owner of Workforce Management in White Rock, BC.
When he's not analyzing business needs, Paul is an environmentally conscious guy who enjoys staying physically fit. He also enjoys a good game of badminton. Paul resides with his favourite person in the world — his wife — along with their dog, Reese, and their bird, Junior.
Sonny Wong, B.Sc.
Programmer and Consultant, MAS 500, MAS 90, Platinum for Windows
Sonny joined The Answer Company in early 2005 and brings broad experience in programming languages, databases, and data analysis to design and implement MAS 500 customizations and other projects for our customers. His degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and his work in pathology research and pharmaceuticals preceded his studies in computer information systems, and experience as a software developer.
Sonny's experience creating order management, production scheduling and tracking, and reporting systems allows him to build software, working with the rest of The Answer Company team, that meets the varied and highly specific needs of many different customers.
In his time off, Sonny enjoys many outdoor activities such as bird-watching, cycling, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing and dinghy sailing.
Tony Yip, B.Comm., CGA
Consultant, ACCPAC, Simply Accounting, F9
Tony joined the Answer Company in 2006 with 20 years of experience in accounting and consulting in British Columbia. His primary roles include software set up and configuration for products including ACCPAC ERP, ACCPAC CRM, Simply Accounting, and the F9 financial reporting tool. Tony also provides technical support and trains users, which is his favourite role.
Tony's background has provided a great deal of expertise in financial systems review and implementation, IT systems planning and review, internal control review and analysis, as well as technical support services. He specializes in data repair and accounting installations in complex environments using terminal services, virtual private networks, and web deployments, in addition to IT systems planning and internal control review and analysis.
Before joining the Answer Company, Tony ran his own software consulting company. He obtained his B.Comm. degree from the University of BC in 1986 and his CGA certification in 1993, when he also became a certified consultant for ACCPAC. His combination of skills in accounting, finance, and technology make him a key addition to the Answer Company team.
When Tony is not working on software related projects he can be found being a Scout Leader for his son's Scout Troop and spending time with his family.
Zoltan Barabas
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Zoltan Barabas joined The Answer Company in 2005. Zoltan works with the sales team throughout the process of analyzing the customers' needs and matching those needs with the technological options suitable to meet their goals. He brings education and experience in business process analysis, change management and human resource management, including operational and resource allocation skills from a considerable naval career.
Zoltan has professional successes from all over the globe. He has generated $2 million in advertising and sponsorship for the Hungarian version of the Tonight Show, increased trade show exhibitors and revenues in a time of economic downturn for Convergence 2002, and raised US $1 million in venture capital financing for a European company. Most notably, Zoltan has lead several successful sales trips to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, securing and internet hardware co-development agreement with a major Japanese OEM.
In his spare time, Zoltan practices the martial arts, visits museums, and is an avid viewer of both films and theatrical productions.