13-04-2025
Light in the Dark Analytics brings companies into the digital age
Apr. 12—SHAVERTOWN — A few years ago, Paul Ascenzi started a business that he used as a side gig. That business — which tapped into his software engineering business — was not his final destination. It was just a start.
"It gave me some ideas about starting a new business that I could do more in-person, more local, trying to help develop our local businesses here," Ascenzi said. "It seems like quite a few companies are kind of behind in technology, at least what I've seen online."
This thought process led Ascenzi to create the locally-based company Light in the Dark Analytics, through which he is trying to help small- and medium-sized businesses, and boost the local economy.
Ascenzi does not include personal enrichment among his goals for Light in the Dark. Rather, he emphasizes a human element in a digital world that relies recklessly on outsourcing and artificial intelligence (AI). He brings with him a decade of experience in the field, as well as a master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Someone with Ascenzi's experience knows that the software strategies he suggests to his clients are dependent on the industry within which they are working, as well as their location and goals. Some companies, for example, already have a solid digital footprint that might need some ironing out.
Other businesses, especially those in Northeast Pennsylvania, need a bit more help. In marketing his young business, Ascenzi has tried to stress to local business owners the importance of moving their operations into the digital age. That means using more tools in the digital basket than email blasts.
One strategy Light in the Dark Analytics can bring to clients is the responsible, productive use of AI. A person with Ascenzi's background is well-suited to take on that challenge.
"It takes a lot of software engineering knowledge to even prompt the AI to understand what's going on," Ascenzi said.
By embracing these new technologies, local business owners can focus more on their day-to-day operations, a luxury that might not have existed when older businesses first needed to adjust to the Internet's dominance.
"I think the older generation is a little bit harder working... they like to brute force it," said Ascenzi. "It's like, 'Okay, you don't need to brute force it anymore. You can set up systems and automate a lot of stuff, so it's really what we look to help to do.'"
Personalized AI can be used in many, including sending automated messages to missed callers. In many cases, by the time someone from the business can reach back out to the caller, the prospective customer has already moved on to a competitor. An automated message can create a buffer window, allowing the customer service representative to get back to the caller before the latter moves on.
"You can't really eliminate the human factor, but it could help give some relief, give you a little more time to respond," Ascenzi said.
Light in the Dark can also help businesses digitize their old paper documents through a scanning process. The scanner can pull that data from the paper, identify keywords, and present the data that is written in a more digestible format.
"I know that a lot of businesses here still use paper, so it can help to digitize their data so they have more data to work with so that they're able to make smarter decisions for strategizing, growing their business, or reduce cost," said Ascenzi.
This only scratches the surface of what Light in the Dark can bring to local and remote clients who are looking for a digital boost. Going forward, Ascenzi will be looking to add experienced software engineers to join him. His own experience is key. Without it, starting Light in the Dark Analytics might have been impossible.
"Otherwise it would have been very difficult to start a business like this, because it takes a lot of capital up front," Ascenzi said of what a lack of experience could have meant for his entrepreneurial venture.
Information about the services provided by Light in the Dark Analytics can be found at
