Interview with François Michaud, President of Oriso

As part of our series of interviews with inspirational leaders, Kelly-Anne Charuest, Marketing Coordinator at Parkour3, had the opportunity to meet François Michaud, President of Oriso.

The aim of this interview was to find out more about his background, his companies and the innovative projects he's putting in place for the future. In this article, we share with you the main insights gained from this enriching conversation.

A company with a strong social mission

François begins the interview by introducing himself as President of Oriso, a company specializing in Cloud Computing, but also head of  Worldinov. He explains that his role at Oriso is essentially strategic, with a particular emphasis on the company's long-term vision. His work also involves active team management and the coordination of new products. What particularly sets Oriso apart is its social commitment.

In fact, the company donates 3% of its profits to organizations that support children in difficulty. These funds are mainly earmarked for initiatives for children with cancer or in need of social pediatrics support. This commitment goes beyond the commercial aspect, demonstrating a genuine desire to have a positive impact on the community.

Oriso: an expanding marketing strategy

Having created the cloud 20 years ago, Oriso is now entering a new phase in its development, with the adoption of a genuine marketing strategy. François explains that the company, which has always focused on developing its technologies, is now turning to broader communications to raise its profile and strengthen its market presence. One of the highlights of this new phase will be Oriso's participation at Scale Computing in Las Vegas, a major event for the Cloud industry. Oriso will have the honor of being one of six companies selected to present its solutions to over 10,000 potential customers, an ideal showcase for the company and its innovations.

François stresses the importance of seizing these opportunities to connect with quality customers and partners. His participation in these major events demonstrates Oriso's commitment to growth and diversification, while consolidating its position as a leader in the world of cloud computing in Quebec.

Worldinov: a revolutionary project for the Cloud

Another exciting topic discussed by François is the IC3 project for Independent Cloud 3, an initiative he describes as particularly innovative. IC3 aims to transform the Cloud business model by enabling any company with an IT infrastructure to become a Cloud Service Provider in just 15 minutes via an automated portal.

This project is a direct response to the problems faced by companies with surplus servers or under-utilized resources. Thanks to IC3, they can monetize these unused resources and generate additional revenue. François sees this approach as a way of democratizing access to Cloud services and enabling companies of all sizes to leverage their infrastructure. In his view, this system could transform the Cloud landscape and offer a new dimension to the digital economy.

Automation and efficiency: business priorities

Another key topic of the interview was the importance François places on automation and efficiency. For him, it's crucial to adopt the most efficient technologies without delay. He cites a specific example where his team wanted to delay the implementation of a new call center tool until December. François insisted that the change be made immediately, stressing that this decision would enable the company to gain in efficiency right away. In his view, the rapid adoption of innovative solutions is an essential lever for maximizing productivity and responding to market needs in an agile way.

Automation and artificial intelligence occupy a central place in his projects. François firmly believes that these technologies will enable Oriso and Worldinov to remain competitive and offer services at the cutting edge of innovation. With this in mind, the company is constantly reinventing its processes to systematically integrate these tools.

Digital sovereignty and the creation of independent communities

François also mentions an ambitious initiative to create an independent cloud community. The aim of this community would be to ensure that data hosting remains under local jurisdiction, thus avoiding the risks associated with large foreign cloud providers. This approach would not only protect sensitive data, but also strengthen the digital sovereignty of Quebec and Canadian companies, by offering a credible alternative to solutions from the industry giants.

François emphasizes that, in an increasingly interconnected world, it is vital for businesses to have cloud solutions that respect their autonomy and security. The independent cloud community project therefore responds to a growing need for sovereignty and trust in the digital age.

Leadership and entrepreneurial mindset: the key to success

During the interview, François also shares his vision of leadership and entrepreneurship. He cites several books that have marked his career, including 10X is Easier than 2X, a book that prompted him to rethink his growth ambitions. Adopting a radically more ambitious growth strategy, he believes, is a key step for entrepreneurs wishing to differentiate themselves and achieve ambitious goals.

François also stresses the importance of the entrepreneurial mindset. He believes that, to be a good leader, you need to know how to delegate effectively, trust your teams and adopt a proactive approach to challenges. Leadership, he believes, is about working with the right people and creating an environment where innovation and initiative are encouraged.

An ambitious vision for the future

The interview with François ends on a note of optimism and exciting projects. Kelly-Anne, satisfied with the information she has gathered, prepares to write the article for the Parkour3 blog. François, for his part, is looking forward to reading the article before publication, hoping that it will reflect the vision and values that drive his day-to-day work.

His career path, his innovation strategies and his social commitment testify to modern, forward-looking leadership. We look forward to following the evolution of Oriso and Worldinov, and to seeing how these projects will transform the Cloud Computing landscape, while making a positive contribution to society.