We're kicking off this edition with some exciting news and updates that we can't wait to share with you! 👋

Industry Insights 🌟 

Stay ahead of the curve with our curated industry updates, news, and expert insights that impact the tech landscape.

TikTok WENT DARK. THEN IT CAME RIGHT BACK

TikTok, the Chinese-owned video app that’s been banned in the United States went dark on January 19th. A few hours later, it was already back for many users. It’s been a head-spinning bit of drama that may ultimately increase TikTok’s already giant popularity.

It may also have been a very clever move. Everyone has talked about the TikTok ban.

SALESFORCE WON'T HIRE ENGINEERS IN 2025, CEO MARC BENIOFF SAYS

Salesforce will halt hiring software engineers in 2025, citing significant productivity gains driven by AI, according to CEO Marc Benioff.

In an interview on the 20VC with Harry Stebbings podcast, Benioff stated that the company is currently finalizing its business plan for next year, with Agentforce—Salesforce's flagship AI product—described as “the only thing that really matters today.”

However, despite this statement, Salesforce’s Careers page still lists over 100 open positions for software engineers.

CHINESE STARTUP DEEPSEEK DISRUPTED AI WORLD

Chinese startup DeepSeek's launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the United States at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order.

The company has attracted attention in global AI circles after writing in a paper last month that the training of DeepSeek-V3 required less than $6 million worth of computing power from Nvidia H800 chips.

Company Updates 👋

At Idelsoft, we're motivated by our mission. Learn how we're working toward that with the latest updates coming from Idelsoft and our partners.

📣 120 HOURS OF FREE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR EARLY STAGE STARTUPS 

🚀 Are you ready to supercharge your startup? We're offering free access to top-tier development talent to help you take your project to the next level!

Here's what you get:

✅ Up to 3 highly skilled engineers
✅ 1 week of dedicated support for each engineer (that's 120 hours of development!)
✅ We take care of compliance and payroll—no strings attached

iDelsoft's Expertise

💡 This is your chance to scale faster, iterate quicker, and build smarter, all with zero cost to you.

Spots are limited! Apply now to secure your team and turn your vision into reality.

❇️ IDELSOFT IS NOW A MEMBER OF TAMPA BAY TECH

iDelsoft joined Tampa Bay Tech, a non-profit technology council engaging and uniting the local technology community for 24 years.

With over 140 member companies representing the region’s 110,000+ tech employees – as well as thousands of students within the area’s colleges and universities – Tampa Bay Tech provides annual programming, networking and initiatives to support everyone working in our flourishing tech ecosystem.

🌴 MEET THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO OUR IDELSOFT FAMILY!

We are excited to announce the newest members of our Idelsoft family! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to:

Lucas Schmidt - QA Automation Engineer

Lucas believes in constant learning. Outside of work, Lucas enjoys outdoor sports like running and soccer, combining his active lifestyle with his love for competition. He’s also passionate about video games and enjoys discussing computer hardware, blending his technical interests with his hobbies.⚽

Kenly Rojas - QA Engineer

Kenly enjoys spending Sundays riding their bike, occasionally practicing salsa dancing, jogging, and staying active through workouts. They also find joy in giving back to the community by participating in volunteer activities from time to time. 🚲

Tech Events Happening Nearby 📅

Your comprehensive guide to upcoming tech events in the Tampa Bay area and in the world. Stay connected with peers through these carefully selected events.

Intro to Data Engineering: A Primer

Data is the secret sauce that we use to measure impact and drive success at our companies. But delivering on that promise isn't so simple. If data science is where the data is analyzed, data engineering is how it gets there.

Join Rich Winslow, CTO at Tetricus Labs, and a data engineer/scientist with 20 years of experience handling and managing data, to learn how to approach data engineering problems practically and ask the right questions. You'll also hear his personal anecdotes that drive home what can go right and wrong when deploying your own solutions.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM EST

👉 RSVP Here

Codebase Resurrection: Revive and Refactor with AI

Is your codebase in need of a major overhaul? Are you wrestling with tangled code and unsure about the consequences of each refactor? Join us at this Java conference session to discover how AI can be your secret weapon in the battle against subpar code.

Speaker: David Parry is a seasoned Software Developer with more than two decades of Java development experience, beginning with his initial foray into Java in 1996.

Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM EST

👉 RSVP Here

Data4 Conference: Connecting Tampa’s Data Community

Our friends at Certus Core are gathering Data enthusiasts in Tampa to Data4 Conference.

Data4 was designed to create a fun and friendly environment for all data professionals, no matter the industry, to meet and grow through shared contributions, interests, and mutual discovery. You’ll hear from data thought leaders, make connections across the tech ecosystem, and expand your network.

Monthly Reads 📚

Dive into our latest thought leadership content and technical articles, keeping you informed about important updates and best practices.

If you’re new, not yet a subscriber, or just plain missed it, here are some of our recent blog posts on our website:

Top Tech Trends and How Accessing Top Talents Can Support Your Business Goals

In today’s hyper-connected digital economy, staying ahead of the technological curve is no longer just an ambition—it’s a necessity. Innovation accelerates at breakneck speed, and businesses must strategically align with emerging tech trends to maintain a competitive advantage. However, cutting-edge technology alone isn’t sufficient; it must be combined with the right human capital.

Top 5 Benefits of IT Staff Augmentation for Startups

When embarking on an IT project, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is whether to build an in-house team or hire contractors. Both options have distinct advantages and challenges, and the right choice often depends on your project’s scope, timeline, and budget. This guide explores the pros and cons of each approach, helping you decide which is best suited for your IT project.

How Can We Help? 🤝

Discover the many ways Idelsoft can support your career or business growth. From global hiring solutions to job opportunities, we're here to help you achieve your goals.

1. Global Hiring Made Easy: Looking to elevate your team with top talent at up to 80% savings? Reach out! We connect high-growth companies with exceptional engineering talent 🌎

2. Hiring in the U.S: Let our expert recruiters help you achieve your business or hiring goals with precision and quality 🇺🇸

3. Career Opportunities: Visit our Careers page to find exciting roles — fully remote, hybrid, or on-site. Your next opportunity awaits! 👀

That’s it from us. Looking forward to seeing you again. Wish you the best in 2025!