On Saturday December 9th, Sonia Clayton celebrated life and VIP's success with most of the VIP community. Excellent food, traditional awards, a night of dancing and some Venezuelan Folklore were just a few of the highlights of the evening. We wanted to share some pictures with all of you. We missed those of you who could not be there with us and hope that next year you will be able to attend.

UNIVISION RADIO recognized Sonia Clayton, President and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, (VIP), as a community heroine. “The Hero of the Community Award” was presented to Sonia on Friday, December the 8th, 2006, at the UNIVISION RADIO headquarters in Houston, Texas.

The 2001 economic depression, emerged right after September 11th, causing enormous hardship for tens of millions of people and the failure of many corporations. Large and small businesses collapsed, while Sonia accomplished the impossible. She formed Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP) www.vip-global.com in October 2001, when her friends, colleagues and former team members were laid-off from their jobs due to the economic downturn and the aftershock of September 11th. Clayton's former team members, PhD's, Business Administrators, Technical Translators, Graphic and Instructional Designers, and Systems Engineers, made up the initial VIP team. In its first year of business, VIP gained its first 14 clients including corporations such as Marathon Oil, Continental Airlines, Pennzoil-Quaker State, Shell Oil International, CEMEX, Huntsman Chemical Corporation and others. Today, VIP has become and International Consulting firm serving over 60 Global Corporations and has expanded operations into Latin America and Europe. VIP's most recent products include a line of SAP R/3 Learning Programs and training solutions for other complex operating systems. VIP develops human resource management portals, e-Learning platforms and virtual universities. The corporation also provides Staff Augmentation Services for Information Technology and Human Resources’ Projects.

In 2003 and 2004, the Houston Business Journal and The Daily Court Review (DCR) published VIP’s story; also during 2004, The Houston Minority Business Council itself recognized VIP with the E-10 Award (Emerging 10 Award). In August 2005, the “Business Makers Radio Show” (Russ Capper and John Beddow) broadcasted Sonia’s success story on the FM news Channel 97.5, and VIP was recognized as a “Top Minority Owned Business” and, last November, the National Association of Women Business Owners recognized Sonia as “One Amazing Woman” in the USA.

“You are an inspiration to our Community, I want them to get to know you. People need to know that everything begings with a dream, followed by determination and perseverance. We need more mentors like you” –Renzo Heredia. La Tremenda 1010 AM –UNIVISION Radio.

“I am deeply touched by Renzo’s gesture and the kindness of La Tremenda 1010 AM. I am not a heroine, but I work and serve this community with many heroes, my employees. Since VIP’s inception, they have worked tirelessly and professionally to keep the economy moving even during depression times. Their efforts, loyalty and excellence have made us shine. Let this be a note of thanks to all of them.” –Sonia Clayton.

Sonia Clayton, President, Virtual Intelligence Providers (VIP) LLC has been retained, yet again, to deliver SAP training at the City of Houston Airport System. In addition to the latter, confirmation has been received by VIP on a new SAP educational event, this one for the benefit of the Houston Police Department.

Worthy of note is the fact that the awards for government service contracts such as VIP’s, although relatively modest, prove the renewed commitment of city leaders in strengthening small, minority or women-owned business organizations in the Houston area. Since both of these events are linked to a municipal government entity, VIP will continue to identify, or pursue, additional service opportunities there, or within other governmental bodies.

At any rate, this is yet another milestone in a string of modest commercial successes racked by VIP’s management, and more specifically by its President Sonia Clayton. Clayton’s savvy in the Technology Services arena, plus her assertive, personable and rather positive approach in business development, have positioned VIP as a small though rather resourceful and comprehensive provider of Business Technology services, whether in a direct or indirect capacity.

HOUSTON – The DeVry University Industry Advisory Board is comprised of leading HR and technology visionaries who can help drive and deploy new product strategies and solutions, while developing the new vision to bring up to date several changes in the Business Degree programs. The main goal of DeVry University Industry Advisory Board is to obtain valuable input on DeVry’s program offerings from Industry leaders such Sonia Clayton, President and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP).

Sonia Clayton formed Virtual Intelligence Providers (VIP) in October 2001, fulfilling a lifetime goal of having her own business. VIP is an international IT / ERP solutions company, offering a cafeteria style menu of service options that include SAP end user training and documentation, e-learning and IT solutions. In its first year of business, VIP gained 14 clients to include large oil & gas corporations such as Marathon Oil, Pennzoil-Quaker State, Shell Oil, Continental Airlines, CEMEX, Huntsman Chemical Corporation and others. VIP's most recent product is the SAP-VIP 5.0 LMS platform. VIP has also developed several human resource, talent and learning management portals for clients in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Today VIP serves over 70 Corporations around the globe.

Sonia's background includes more than 15 years of expertise in the human resources, IT and e-learning. Prior to forming VIP, Sonia held management and director positions in Several consulting firms. She was also responsible for developing the Latin America divisions of three Houston based consulting firms. As a former International Manager for Continental Airlines, she was responsible for the business development and International HR strategies of Continental Airlines in South America, playing a key role in the carrier's expansion into Bogotá- Colombia, Lima-Peru, Caracas-Venezuela, Sao Paulo-Brazil, Rio de Janeiro-Brazil and Santiago-Chile. During her time at Continental Airlines she also served as a Regional Manager of HRIS and Corporate Security. Her dedication and broad knowledge of the airline industry safety, security and intelligence standards has been recognized and brought her awards on several occasions.

Sonia has received honorable mentions from US Department of Justice, US Department of Treasury and the American Red Cross. In recent events Sonia and VIP have been the recipients of the HMBC E-10 Award, Top Minority Business 2005, and the “One Amazing Woman Nomination” (November 2005) by the National Association of Woman Business Owners (NAWBO). She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and French fluently; as a result, VIP has established an impressive line of International Corporate Relationships that have taken VIP in a Global Spin.

Sonia is a faithful supporter of higher education programs, often being invited as a lecturer for the University of Houston, Cyfair College of Houston, Stanford University, University of Calgary and University of Hawaii. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee Board of the ITT Technical Institute and now DeVry University of Houston.Sonia is also the founder of the Alba Alicia Navarro Fund and Angels for Soldiers, two non-profit organizations dedicated to providing assistance to Liver Cancer patients in Latin America and Returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively.

HOUSTON – A new service partnership has been cemented between Virtual Intelligence Providers, L.L.C. (www.vip-global.com) and Dallas-based Pariveda Solutions (www.parivedasolutions.com).

This partnership is a relevant one in that VIP complements its Business Support and Services Offer with the IT Strategy, Project Management and Technology Solutions provided by Pariveda. In point of fact it represents a synergetic approach to both organizations, as it allows them to expand and enhance their complementary Operational Strengths and Business Development initiatives.

VIP’s cafeteria-style approach to services has proven to be quite an asset to its business development, and perhaps more significant, for ensuring Client’s satisfaction. “What helps us secure and maintain service associations or partnerships, beyond the expediency of our service model, is the top–notch quality professional/individual we provide”, says Kirk Clayton, VIP’s Financial Officer.

Among other service features VIP offers Augmentation, Documentation, Change Communication, End-User Education, Curricular Development, Performance Improvement, Training Facilitation and e-Learning Services to over forty Fortune Corporations. In just four years, VIP grew from 1 to 50+ seasoned Professionals, all willing to be activated, deployed, or re-deployed, virtually at a moment’s notice, anywhere in the U.S., or around the world.

Sonia Clayton, CEO: “Because we understand the nature of business in our time, as well as the constraints, challenges and opportunities Business Organizations confront, our only avenue is to give both Clients--and engagements--our very best and finest. For us, here at VIP, nothing short of that would be acceptable, neither personally, nor collectively. We take pride in the quality of our professionals, and the work they deliver ”.

Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC has been selected as a Top Woman Owned Business by DiversityBusiness.com. You have distinguished yourself as one of the top entrepreneurs in the country and most deserving of this award and recognition.

In recognition of the economic power of multicultural businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nations’ leading multicultural internet site, recently named Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC as one of the top woman-owned businesses in Texas.

The Impact of Woman Owned Business
Major corporations wishing to increase market share realize it is no longer just “the right thing” to do business with diversity-owned companies. Affected by recent economic and demographic trends and changes, corporations throughout the country have recognized that buying products and services from diversity-owned companies positively impacts their business. Diversity-owned businesses contribute over $1.4 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy.

“Diversity businesses and consumers are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with,” said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that built DiversityBusiness.com. “It’s no longer only about the Fortune 1000. This is a whole business segment that can carry its own, that provides jobs, products and services, and generates wealth for their communities. These are the new leaders in American business.”

The Top Woman List
This is a classification that represents the top woman-owned businesses in Texas, in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services. Large organizational buyers throughout the country that do business with multicultural and women-owned businesses use the list. This list is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading multicultural B2B Internet portal that links large organizational buyers to multicultural product and service suppliers.

The winning companies will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com’s 6thh Annual Multicultural Business Conference, taking place March 29 – March 31, 2006 at the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The listed companies are the heroes of woman-owned business in America,” said Kenton Clarke. “While Fortune magazine lists the best companies for women and minorities to work for, we list the top woman owned businesses. These are the people that have conquered the hurdles and made the sacrifices, building and strengthening their communities, providing jobs and helping to keep the fabric of the U.S. economy together.”

For the complete list of winning companies, please visit:

www.diversitybusiness.com

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

(HOUSTON) SONIA CLAYTON, president and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC ( pictured right ) www.vip-global.com was recently recognized as one of “Nine Amazing Women” by the National Association of Women Business Owners.

The tribute presented on October 19th, 2005 at the Awards Gala at the Derek Hotel in Houston, highlighted Clayton’s personal and professional life.

Beginning with Clayton’s childhood challenges, as the youngest child of a single mother, her self-improvement efforts from high school to university education, her success as an immigrant from Venezuela, and her professional career highlights as a former International Managing Team Member of Air France, Continental Airlines, American General Corporation, and several other reputable IT consulting US based organizations.

Clayton is the president and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP). She formed VIP in October 2001, when her former employees, friends and colleagues were laid off due to the economic downturn and aftershock of September 11th. Today, VIP provides Project Management, End User Education, Performance Improvement Strategy Solutions and E-Learning Services to forty-three Fortune Corporations. In only four years, VIP has grown from one consultant to fifty-five professional consultants serving across the world. Most of which are in the Manufacturing, Transportation, and Oil and Gas Industry.

Clayton has been the recipient of the several awards, the last one being the E-10 (Emerging Ten Award). She is a faithful contributor to higher education programs and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Houston, Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Hawaii, University of Phoenix, Cy-Fair College and University of Calgary in Canada.

Sonia is extremely active in her community. She is a contributor and frequent presenter for BJM (Between Jobs Ministries). Clayton is also the fund raising officer for the Civil Air Patrol – Delta Squadron of Houston. She is a “Guardian Angel Award” recipient from the American Red Cross. She is the founder of the “Alba Alicia Navarro Fund,” a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Latin American Liver Patients, and her latest undertaking is, “Angels for Soldiers,” a non-profit organization, being formed with the help of VIP’s customers, to train and reactivate in society disabled military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Wednesday March 30, 2005 Sonia Clayton presented to the Enterprise Resource Planning class at the University of Houston.

This is a graduate MBA class offered as an elective course in the Operations Management track within the Decision and Information Sciences (DISC) Department of the CT Bauer College of Business.

Outside speakers such as Mrs. Clayton bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the classroom, and the experience is treasured forever. Mr. Conor O’Muirgheasa, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor of Operations Management of the CT Bauer College of Business in a Thank you letter sent to VIP's President said: "All of us have benefited greatly from listening to you."

Click here to read the entire thank you letter.

"Dreaming Big...Packing for Success" The Emerging Ten (E-10) Awards Luncheon, was held Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at the J.W. Marriot Hotel (Galleria). These Awards are designed to honor Houston's top 10 emerging companies. These enterprises have gone through many challenges to keep their doors open and have E-merged to share their successful business strategies with others. They are truly an encouragement for other companies to continue striving for E-xcellence in their industries. They have also heightened awareness of the E-xpanding role that minority business enterprises play in Houston's business marketplace. Join us in receiving this award.

Click here for a printable pdf

Virtual Intelligence Providers has taken an unusual tactic in the IT Industry: Competitive pricing.
by Debra Beachy Houston Business JournalWeek of October 29th - November 4, 2004

Click here for a printable pdf

On Thursday, August 12, 2004 the Daily Court Review (DCR) — Houston's daily business newspaper since 1889, published an article featuring Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC titled: "Small Businesses Using Technology To Level Playing Field" by Lisa Ray — Reporter.

The article highlighted VIP's as a perfect virtual business model that could be the trend that turns small businesses into the David that knocks Goliath corporations off the playing field. During the faltering business climate that followed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Sonia Clayton - founder and CEO of Houston-based Virtual Intelligence Providers - created her own business model based on the elements of virtual technology.

When the corporation that Clayton worked for downsized in 2001, she and many of her fellow workers lost their jobs. That was the jolt Clayton needed to realize that the business world was changing. She decided to create a new kind of company.

"America got very used to a traditional business model," Clayton said. "After 9/11 took place the traditional business model wasn't working."

Click here to download the whole article.

We all know a new generation of decision makers has emerged as a result of the "New IT Economy". Most of them have become demanding customers, expecting fast, high quality, customized products and services. We won't be terribly surprised, at the fact that the effectiveness of a company's response to demands for customization can be a major factor in placing it with the leaders of the laggards of a sector. VIP is one of those companies that focus simultaneously on training value creation strategies and alignment for the creation of any SAP 4.7 Enterprise E-Learning/Training Program.

VIP's Delta demo: http://www.vip-global.com/vipdemo Modules after 2.1 are not active. To view the full demo Contact us

VIP applies three specific methodology steps during the creation of their SAP Enterprise Solution:

1. First, we work with our client's SME's (Subject Matter Experts) to determine their specific needs. We then identify content material, sources of value, specific "Deltas", and then trace an individualized delivery plan.

2. Second, we provide "VIP's Creativity"—the point at which VIP's customization practice adds value to both company and end-users

3. Third, we integrate our SAP Enterprise knowledge base, from previous SAP Enterprise implementations, to tailor our customer's proprietary solutions and align them with the customer's learning demands and expectations, providing customer value at a more reasonable cost.

The VIP-SAP Enterprise Customization methodology becomes priceless when a customer successfully balances the value of customization with the cost of complexity. About two-thirds of companies customizing SAP programs have failed to increase both their top-line and bottom-line performance because, while customizing their training, they failed to build a "Learning Tracking Methodology"; such as the incorporated VIP-LMS tracking system, provided by VIP in all customized E-Learning Solutions.

Here at VIP we can confidently say we have found a balance between the value of ERP E-Learning products and services in the SAP market, and the cost of the complexity of training and learning across multiple ERP business functions. The business sector will need to customize, adapt, and refresh their learning solutions as they evolve new growth strategies, such as the SAP 4.7 Enterprise application.

Students in two Computer Information Systems classes taught by Dr. Deborah Buell, in the Fall of 2002, beta tested the SAP-VIP 4.6 Learning Management System Course. The course taught SAP 4.6 Basic Navigational Skills. Dr. Buell's students were grateful for the opportunity to beta test the course and very excited about gaining new skills that would make them more competitive in the information technology industry. Students provided feedback via an online evaluation survey on the course content, screen design and navigational strategy.

The overall results of the survey showed that the students were satisfied with the course and that they felt the course provided them with an invaluable skill set for their professional portfolio. In addition, students also provided valuable suggestions on how to "fine tune" the delivery of the course content, layout and navigation. Students also took away an additional benefit from their beta test experience. They used what they learned about learning management systems as input to conduct a systems analysis project that required them to evaluate a selection of learning management system products from commercial vendors.

Click Here to Download a letter from the University of Houston-Downtown - College of Business

VIP will be presenting at the online conference "Best Practices in e-learning". This Online Conference will take place in the University of Calgary next August 12th and 13th, 2003. VIP's paper and presentation entitled, "The 3Rs of Learning Management Systems: The Rhetoric, Research and Reality", will be presented by Dr. Deborah Buell, VIP's Director of Educational Programs and e-learning For more information please click here.

VIP was one of the presenters at the Eighth Annual Teaching of the Community Colleges Online Conference (TCC 2003) April 22-24. The TCC Online Conference takes place from Kapi'olani Community College in Hawaii. The conference theme for this year was "THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN ONLINE AND HYBRID COURSES" VIP's paper and presentation entitled, "The 3Rs of Learning Management Systems: The Rhetoric, Research and Reality"; presented the student experiences in a hybrid course that used online course web sites as well as VIP's SAP-VIP 4.6 Basic Navigational Skills Learning Management System Course (SAP-VIP 4.6 LMS). The paper and presentation discussed the results of the beta test of the SAP-VIP 4.6 LMS. Computer information system students at the University of Houston Downtown participated as beta test users of VIP's SAP-VIP 4.6 LMS. The students also completed online evaluations of the LMS News.

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