Elite Dealers 2017: $5 Million to $10 Million

ACT Group
Cromwell, CT
www.goactgroup.com

  • Year Founded: 1974
  • President/Owner: Cindi Gondek
  • Number of Employees: 36
  • Primary Vendors: Ricoh, KYOCERA, 3D Systems, Riso, HP
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, DocuClass, Artsyl, Nuance
  • Primary Leasing Partners: CIT, US Bank, Wells Fargo
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to 10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: 3D, Software solutions, MPS
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Being recognized as leaders in the 3D field and having its director and education specialist selected as keynote speakers at a Project ‘Lead the Way’ regional symposium, with more than 400 educational leaders from throughout the Northeast. ACT Group’s ‘Purps the Penguin’ project video has more than 2 million total views and has been featured on the BBC, the Weather Channel and TV stations throughout the country.

Greg and Cindi Gondek

Why We Consider ACT Group Elite:

  • Marketing growth. ACT Group has developed its own internal marketing department, which places emphasis on social media awareness, which has helped to go beyond past initiatives. The dealer leverages white papers, videos and important information for vertical markets in areas such as 3D printing, software, office equipment and MPS.
  • Immediate mobilization. When something goes awry, “all hell breaks loose” at ACT Group, which places an immediate priority on resolving the conflict. Customer complaints rarely arise, but when they do, it’s all hands on deck to remedy the problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
  • Competitive contracts. The dealer notched a pair of significant wins in the past year that provided business with a health care provider and a large financial institution. The former involved an MPS and equipment contract for 350 units. The financial deal entailed state-of-the-art software and equipment to reduce a fleet of 850 copiers and MFPs to 200 units, improving efficiency and productivity.
  • Dealer distinction. ACT Group has been awarded the Ricoh Circle of Excellence and KYOCERA Gold Medallion awards multiple times; in fact, it has garnered the Gold Medallion award 33 consecutive times. Local honors include the Business Champions and Woman Owned Business of the Year.
  • Community caring. The dealer’s grant program has donated equipment to nonprofit organizations for the past 18 years, and it contributes 3 percent of equipment revenue to the United Way in Middlesex County, of which it is a long-standing Gold sponsor. ACT Group also donates to a number of area charities and youth/educational programs each year.

Action Imaging Group
Tucson, AZ
www.actionimg.com

  • Year Founded: 2006
  • President/Owner: Walter Thomas/Jeff Woloshin
  • Number of Employees: 30
  • Primary Vendors: Ricoh USA
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9
  • Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, EverBank, US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MFP, MPS
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Action Imaging joined the FlexPrint platform, which will allow it to offer more extensive support and efficiency to our customers.

Co-Founders Jeff Woloshin (left) & Walter Thomas

Why We Consider Action Imaging Group Elite:

  • Expansion of offerings. A single-line provider of Ricoh hardware, Action Imaging Group has expanded into the world of solutions offerings to include software, VOIP phone systems and network security.
  • Customer consistency. One of Action Imaging Group’s biggest wins in 2017 was repeating as the provider for one of the largest health care providers in the Tucson market—it has won this pact 11 years running. This includes maintaining the customer’s printer fleet, which produces more than one million pages per month.
  • Vendor recognition. Four years in a row, Action Imaging Group has captured the Ricoh RFG Circle of Excellence Award. It was also ranked No. 1 in the industry by Inside Tucson Business.
  • Employee-friendly environment. While a relative newcomer to the industry, Action Imaging Group enjoys a low turnover rate among its ranks. It offers a rewards program for employees who generate leads or provide ideas for generating new business. Workers enjoy the use of the dealer’s basketball court and exercise room with shower.
  • Civic responsibility. Action Imaging Group’s management sit on the boards of several charity organizations and the company partners with its nonprofit customers to support their events. The dealer is also a big supporter of a large Tucson school.

Advanced Business Equipment
Asheville, NC
www.abecarolina.com

Kevin Jackson, President/CEO

  • Year Founded: 1981
  • President/Owner: Kevin Jackson
  • Number of Employees: 42
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Canon, KIP, KYOCERA
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Print Audit
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed network services
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealership continues to grow and added four full-time positions to its staff during a six-month period.

Why We Consider Advanced Business Equipment Elite:

  • Local roots. Customers value the fact that Advanced Business Equipment has been doing business locally for 36 years, boasting a solid reputation as a member of the Better Business Bureau in excellent standing, without a single complaint filed. Its Advanced Information Systems division gives clients the opportunity to deal with one company for both business equipment and network management needs.
  • Technology showcase. Advanced Business Equipment hosts a quarterly technology show where it invites local businesses to participate in information sessions on document management, production print solutions, backup and disaster recovery, and departmental solutions for cost and usage tracking. The strategy has proven successful for generating new leads.
  • Vendor recognition. The dealer is a 16-time winner of the Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Service award, capturing the honor every year since its inception. It is also a six-time winner of the GreatAmerica Dealer of Distinction and the Chamber of Commerce Sky High Growth Award. Other kudos include the bizhub PRO Standards Award for Excellence in Business Planning, as well as Market & Promotion Execution.
  • Employee perks. Peers nominate colleagues for Employee of the Month, which rewards winners with four hours of paid time off and a parking spot next to the employee entrance. Each monthly meeting begins with a fun activity geared toward getting to know each other’s hobbies, families and backgrounds. Other events include a December holiday brunch and an annual company picnic.
  • Civic responsibility. Charity golf tournaments and nonprofit fundraisers are key to Advance Business Equipment’s community endeavors. The dealer also donated the proceeds from the sale of its retired fleet cars to area nonprofits and is a supporter of Jillian’s Ride.

Allen Business Machines (ABM)
Fort Wayne, IN
www.abmfw.com

  • Year Founded: 1953
  • President/Owner: Dan Maucher
  • Number of Employees: 30
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp, KYOCERA, HP, Fellowes, SP Richards
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, Infodynamics, PaperCut
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Overall sales (9%), MNS (30%), copier/printer sales (16%), service (6%), furniture/supply (3.5%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: It’s been an eventful year for ABM, which has moved into the production copier segment and established its own in-house leasing. The dealer was also able to set a new annual revenue record, backed by its sixth major school account.

Shown from left: Luke Maucher, sales manager-Furniture & Supplies; Greg Wilbanks, service manager; Dan Maucher, president; Phil Koehl, CFO; Dave Ferro, equipment sales manager

Why We Consider Allen Business Machines (ABM) Elite:

  • In-house leasing. ABM created its own in-house leasing company to provide its sales force and clients greater flexibility. The dealer retains the asset at the end of the lease and customers enjoy the convenience of leasing through a local company, which includes cost-free returns.
  • Home grown. Customers love being able to do business with the only locally owned dealer in Fort Wayne. That includes access to any of ABM’s upper-level executives day and night. In addition, the dealer boasts an average two and a half hour response time on service calls.
  • Highly decorated dealer. A three-time Elite Dealer, ABM has captured the Sharp Platinum Service dealer honor five consecutive years and the Hyakuman Kai Award for 12 straight years. ABM was also named a Pros Elite 100 dealer and notched the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for marketplace trust and ethics.
  • Great place to work. ABM has instituted a profit-sharing bonus for employees based on company revenue. The dealer has cultivated a family atmosphere, as evidenced by its low turnover rate. Employees feel comfortable in speaking their minds.
  • Community caring. ABM leases a portion of its building to the Birthday Bags nonprofit for $1 a year. The dealer also supports a number of local charities, including SCAN and Habitat for Humanity. ABM allots paid time off hours for employees to help with Habitat’s building initiatives.

Alpha Laser & Imaging, LLC
Evansville, IN
alphalaserimaging.com

  • Year Founded: 1999
  • President/Owner: Aaron and Jason Althaus
  • Number of Employees: 26
  • Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Xerox, Samsung, HP, Lexmark, OKI Data, Brother
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, ICE, DocuStore, Microsoft Solutions, eCopy Scan Solutions
  • Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Alpha Laser & Imaging’s total revenue has increased consistently between 35-45% every year over the past five years. It attributes this growth to an increased sales force, high level of customer service, and company management.
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Alpha secured an educational contract valued at $500,000 for the installation of 75 machines. The dealer also made several critical employee hires to fortify its staff.

The Alpha Laser & Imaging team

Why We Consider Alpha Laser & Imaging Elite:

  • Dedication to customers. Going the extra mile for customers is the cornerstone of Alpha Laser & Imaging. The dealer prides itself on thinking “outside the box” to give the customer the best solution to help run its business more efficiently, as opposed to selling what it has on hand. Building a relationship is the first step the dealer makes before discussing a sale or service, and that approach has provided much success.
  • Marketing prowess. Alpha Laser & Imaging uses social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to raise awareness of its business. Customized email blasts promote market specials, new product offerings or provide updates about exciting news going on at the company. A third initiative is hosted events, where the dealer engages clients and prospects in a relaxed setting.
  • Service offerings. The dealer boasts many custom-tailored programs including inventory management, which frees up the customer from the hassle of monitoring and ordering supplies. Remote connectivity with a client’s network enables the dealer to assess issues, fix problems and make adjustments to hardware. Alpha Laser & Imaging also offers a variety of MPS programs.
  • Top workplace. It’s not unusual for the dealer to take an afternoon off and treat its employees to a movie matinee. Employee luncheons have proven popular, and the company is also sensitive to their need to take time out to attend to family commitments. A positive energy permeates the organization, which creates highly motivated and driven workers.
  • Philanthropic endeavors. Alpha Laser & Imaging is highly involved with a number of area nonprofit organizations and donates a lot of money to charities that benefit children. From golf scrambles and events that support hospitals and clothing drives, the dealer is attuned to the needs of its community. The dealer also supports job fairs that help set youth on a career path.

Bay Copy
Rockland, MA
baycopy.com

Ray Belanger, President

  • Year Founded: 1972
  • President/Owner: Ray Belanger
  • Number of Employees: 35
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Muratec, Toshiba, Lexmark
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: MPS, Business Solutions Dealer (BSD) for Lexmark
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Wells Fargo
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS (medical and banking segments)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The company collected several honors, including the GreatAmerica Premier Award, the Lexmark Premier Circle Award and the Muratec Imagemakers Award. Its expanded role with a health care provider augmented an existing relationship, and the dealer added several health care clients in 2017.

Why We Consider Bay Copy Elite:

  • Personal touch. Developing close customer relationships through interactions with sales and service departments is the best path toward forging long-lasting engagements for Bay Copy. This is achieved through periodic calls and visits from the Bay Copy team. Several of the company’s senior account managers, with decades of service between them, are involved in overseeing the majority of the accounts.
  • CEO engagement. Bay Copy is a strong corporate citizen, with CEO Ray Belanger serving as past chairman of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce (the company also serves as a Chamber partner). The dealer is a central figure in Chamber activities, supporting recruitment of new members, their development and education. Belanger is also an active member of a national trade association, the Select Dealer Group, which he helped found and served as president for a term.
  • Continuous improvement. The dealer emphasizes continued training and education for its sales and service departments. Bay Copy also created the position of Director of Technology, which further underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its technological prowess.
  • Increased visibility. As part of its marketing strategy, Bay Copy raises its profile in the business community via Belanger’s authored articles for industry publications and blogs, which positions the executive as a thought leader. The dealership itself has been profiled in regional publications including the Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, the Patriot Ledger and CityBizList.
  • Community caring. Bay Copy is a member of The Presidents’ Circle of South Shore Hospital, pledging funds to improve the availability of health care. It also sponsors a number of events in support of a client, Signature Healthcare, including a Charity Golf Classic, Ring of Champions dinner and Champions Fighting Cancer walk.

Copier Fax Business Technologies, Inc. (Copier Fax)
Buffalo, NY
www.copierfaxbt.com

  • Year Founded: 1990
  • President/Owner: Al Scibetta
  • Number of Employees: 38
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Lexmark, Muratec
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare
  • Primary Leasing Partners: DLL
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $7 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Solution selling, courtesy of Copier Fax’s Documentelligence
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: In May, the dealer enjoyed the highest invoicing month in company history, which equaled the total for its first year in business. Copier Fax also renewed its agreement with the Buffalo Sabres professional hockey team, as well as an international project with the island of St. Maarten for DocuWare.

Copier Fax execs (from left): David Scibetta, Andrea Scibetta and Al Scibetta in Buffalo showroom

Why We Consider Copier Fax Elite:

  • Great relationships. Copier Fax takes the time to get to know customers personally, then doubles down by supporting the relationship with quality service to enhance the overall experience. Customer open house events provide an opportunity to learn about the dealer’s latest products.
  • Smart documents. The dealer has created Documentelligence, a way of creating a smart office through hardware, software, IT, document management and back-file scanning. The one-stop shop brand has helped Copier Fax set its service apart from the competition.
  • Sports marketing. Copier Fax renewed its partnership with the Buffalo Sabres hockey team as its Official Office Technology Company, which the dealer incorporates in its business cards, social media and website marketing.
  • Social media. Copier Fax believes it boasts one of the strongest social media strategies in the industry, with more than 3,000 followers. The dealer leverages multiple platforms to share stories and promote monthly giveaways and contests. This year, it added several internet-only deals that have produced a strong ROI.
  • Charitable giving. The dealer is a major sponsor of the Summit Educational Walk for Autism. Roughly 10 percent of its profits go toward the sponsorship of numerous charities.

Copier Headquarters, Inc.
Woodland Hills, CA
www.chqs.com

  • Year Founded: 1998
  • CEO/Owner: Dan Strull
  • Number of Employees: 25
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp, HP, Samsung, OKI Data, Brother
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Omtool, DocuWare, Drivve, Nuance, Umango, PaperCut, Kayleigh
  • Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, DLL
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $6 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MNS (20%), hardware (30%), MPS (20%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Copier Headquarters’ Operation Gratitude Program delivered nearly 200 stuffed bears to the children of recently deployed military personnel.

Copier Headquarters leadership from left: Stuart Fratkin, EVP; Dan Strull, CEO; Paul Cooper, SVP

Why We Consider Copier Headquarters Elite:

  • Product expansion. Once a Xerox agent, Copier Headquarters relishes its role as a an independent provider of Sharp, Brother, OKI Data, Xerox and HP equipment that cover A3 and A4 products, while also offering mailing, finishing, booklet-making gear, scanning and software solutions.
  • Fast start on excellence. Reaping 9 percent growth in equipment, Copier Headquarters won Sharp’s Hyakuman Kai Award for $1 million in sales, a unique accomplishment few dealers have realized in their first year.
  • Core values. The dealer puts emphasis on quality of life for its employees, who are encouraged to take time out to watch their children perform in sporting events or school-related activities. That level of support has created a highly tenured team at Copier Headquarters.
  • Sales support. Copier Headquarters has enlisted the services of a third-party telemarketing organization that calls into its territory to generate high-quality sales leads.
  • Community caring. In addition to the aforementioned Operation Gratitude Program, Copier Headquarters supports causes such as Alzheimer’s, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s disease and Niemann-Pick disease. The common thread is that all of these afflictions have touched the lives of Copier Headquarters’ employees and their families.

Corporate Business Systems
Madison, WI
www.corpbussystems.com

  • Year Founded: 1998
  • President/Owner: Mike Blake
  • Number of Employees: 22
  • Primary Vendors: Xerox, Savin, Canon and Lexmark
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Ademero
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Xerox Financial, Wells Fargo
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Production print (32%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: In addition to experiencing strong results from its production print programs, Corporate Business Systems was one of the first dealers in the country to be authorized for the Xerox Versant 180/3100 digital color presses.

Bob Kendall, vice president of sales (left) and Mike Blake, president

Why We Consider Corporate Business Systems Elite:

  • Incentives for technicians. Corporate Business Systems incentivizes is technicians on First-Call Effectiveness and response time, then follows up with customers following every service call to gauge their performance.
  • In-house telemarketing program. The dealer’s new telemarketing initiative has averaged nine appointments per sales rep each week. As a result, hardware sales have risen 22 percent.
  • Biggest contract score. An agreement renewal the dealer forged with a manufacturing firm provided for 100 Xerox MFPs and printers, resulting in $95,000 of equipment revenue.
  • Great working environment. In addition to competitive wages with bonuses, company uniforms and vehicles, Corporate Business Systems offers flexible schedules when possible. The dealership is also locally owned and operated.
  • Giving spirit. The company donates office equipment and money to various nonprofits, particularly those that provide for the homeless.

Definitive Technology Solutions (DTS)
Bloomington, MN
go-dts.com

  • Year Founded: 2004
  • Owners: Gordon Running and Mark Stokes
  • Number of Employees: 35
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp Electronics, OKI Data
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, InfoDynamics, Print Audit, PaperCut
  • Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GreatAmerica
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed IT Services
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Definitive Technology Solutions is coming off a 2016 in which it achieved record revenue, keyed by significant growth in managed IT services during the past three years.

The DTS management team (from left): Mark Stokes, Brant Marple, Nick DeGrammont, Tammy Brandt, Gordon Running, David Lloyd, Tom McHenry

Why We Consider Definitive Technology Solutions Elite:

  • A consultative approach. DTS positions itself as a technology consultant, providing insight into industry trends in order to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase productivity. It conducts quarterly reviews and discusses areas in which the dealer can assist clients through MPS, document management and managed IT services.
  • Hosted events. Each year DTS hosts its XPLORE Technology Event, with solutions partners providing guest speakers to cover relevant topics including IT backup and recovery, conferencing and collaboration, and document management. Other marketing initiatives include lunch and learn sessions for clients and prospects to learn more about specific products and services.
  • Industry accolades. DTS has been a repeat winner of the Sharp Platinum Service Level Provider and Hyakuman Kai awards.
  • Community giving. The dealer created a charity team that plans sponsored events for employees to participate and give back to the community. It makes financial contributions to local nonprofit organizations and participates in charity golf and other events that support the local community.
  • Open-door policy. The dealer fosters an interactive and collaborative environment, and its leadership team works to maintain an atmosphere that is fun and fulfilling. The DTS team is caring and compassionate, constantly supporting the people in-house and throughout the community.

Image Matters
Knoxville, TN
www.imagemattersinc.com

  • Year Founded: 1999
  • President/Owner: JD Sullivan and Bob Lovelace
  • Number of Employees: 30
  • Primary Vendors: Xerox, Lexmark, Brother, Muratec, KIP, OKI Data
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Xerox Printsafe, PaperCut, Xerox EIP Custom Application Builder
  • Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, GreatAmerica, IMI Leasing
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $7 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Major account fleet management, commercial printing and design
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Image Matters continues to experience 25% growth in its MPS population and double-digit growth overall. Image Matters’ aggressive new sales strategy is directed by Scott Acuff, a 25-year plus office technology veteran who specializes in workflow analytics and vertical market major accounts.

Why We Consider Image Matters Elite:

  • Dealer next door. While it supports clients across the country, Image Matters employs a local dealer approach to foster closer relationships. Rather than using automated attendants, the dealer gets to know all of its clients by name and has created a systematic process to give nationwide coverage the same urgency it provides for its family in east Tennessee.
  • 21st-century marketing. Backed by a young marketing team, Image Matters is extremely active in spreading its name, product and solution capabilities through various social media platforms. But the dealer is also loyal to its time-tested marketing methods, including radio and print media.
  • Building business. One of the biggest 2017 wins for Image Matters was a large construction firm contract, a deal which included the installation of 200-plus units, along with hardware, software, MPS fleet management and wide-format solutions.
  • Vendor kudos. Image Matters has been named Xerox MPS National Dealer of the Year, a Xerox Platinum Dealer and a GreatAmerica Premier Dealer and a six-time ENX Elite Dealer.
  • Community caring. Image Matters participates in year-round fundraising for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. President J.D. Sullivan is a board member for Volunteer Ministry Center and The Compassion Coalition, while owner Bob Lovelace actively supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Knox Area Rescue Ministries.

Image Systems for Business, Inc.
Somerset, NJ
www.imagesysgroup.com

  • Year Founded: 1987
  • President/Owner: Art Schwartz
  • Number of Employees: 30
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Xerox, Lexmark, KIP
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Nuance, PrintFleet
  • Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed print services (11%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Image Systems for Business focused on leveraging its CRM, streamlining opportunities into proposals and managing all of the different price offerings from each manufacturer.

Front row (from left): Art Schwartz, president/CEO; Susan Schwartz, VP; Steve Callahan, sales executive; back row: Tony Baskakow, service director; Bud Fedak, operations; Dave Nardone, IT director; Mike Schwartz, sales executive

Why We Consider Image Systems for Business Elite:

  • A matter of trust. The ability to develop meaningful and lasting personal relationships is the driving force behind Image Systems for Business’ success in forging long-term commitments with its clients. Its business model is based on a comprehensive service offering with customized business solutions which require dynamic people to support them.
  • Contract win. Image Systems for Business developed an MPS solution for an insurance industry client, which previously had segmented procurement of supplies and devices from multiple vendors. Following an analysis of the client’s hard and soft costs for its fleet of more than 100 copiers and MFPs, Image Systems for Business devised a solution that consolidated the quantity of machines, models and brands.
  • Industry honors. Image Systems for Business has copped the Gold Award of Excellence and was named a Triple Crown Winner by Xerox. Other honors include the DLL Preferred Partner, and the Somerset County Business Partnership has twice recognized the dealer with the Best of Award for copier and printer service.
  • An entrepreneurial work culture. Employees take personal responsibility and accountability in representing the company’s clients. As a smaller organization, team members develop dynamic roles and responsibilities that enable creativity and outside-the-box thinking in order to accomplish a goal.
  • Civic generosity. During the past 20 years, Image Systems for Business has played various roles in supporting the Embrace Kids Foundation, a local organization that helps families of children who face cancer, sickle cell and other serious health afflictions. The dealer also supports Chabad of Hunterdon County, which provides a host of family services. A 10-year supporter of the cause, Image Systems was the honoree at Chabad’s annual dinner in recognition of helping to raise $175,000 for the organization.

Imagine Technology Group (ITG)
Chandler, AZ
www.itgarizona.com

  • Year Founded: 2011
  • President/Owner: Mary Ellen Franz
  • Number of Employees: 35
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp, Toshiba, Lexmark
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, SharePoint, PaperCut, Drivve, Microsoft 365, Nuance, Printer Logic VoIP Phones
  • Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, EverBank, in-house
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $8 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MNS (25%), MPS (15%), hardware (15%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: ITG expanded its sales and service base to northern and southern Arizona. It won a contract with a large health care provider which catapulted ITG into these markets.

ITG’s award-winning service department

Why We Consider Imagine Technology Group (ITG) Elite:

  • Holistic approach. ITG measures a customer’s entire business when crafting a solutions package as opposed to trading out machine for machine. This allows the dealer to identify a more efficient way to accomplish tasks through software, workflow improvement and cost-effective hardware. Once the business process is improved, ITG addresses other business needs including telephony, data and network.
  • Success story. One of ITG’s biggest scores in 2017 was a hardware and MPS contract with northern Arizona’s largest health care provider. The implementation included more than 1,200 units at two major hospitals and more that 30 additional offices throughout the region.
  • Industry kudos. Among its awards, ITG was named to the Inc. 500/5000 of fastest growing companies and received the Sharp Platinum Service Award, WPO’s Fastest-Growing Woman Owned Companies, the MWAi Industry Innovation Award and the ITEX Perfect Image Award for Outstanding Customer Service.
  • Employee empowerment. ITG emboldens its people to serve the customer’s best interests, using a care first, ask permission later mantra. In that regard, ITG fully stands by its employees’ decisions. In addition, the dealer hosts periodic cookouts, food competitions and an annual company weekend event.
  • Charitable activities. One of ITG’s goals is to support its nonprofit organizations in their areas of focus. This includes meal preparation for family members of ITG’s hospice customer, food and clothing drives, as well as participation in community events.

KÔTA, A Mohegan LDI Enterprise
Uncasville, CT
www.kotasolutions.com

  • Year Founded: 2014
  • President/Owner: Tod Pike
  • Number of Employees: 27
  • Primary Vendors: Canon, Toshiba, Samsung, HP
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Nuance, EFI, Canon, PaperCut, MaxxVault
  • Primary Leasing Partners: Canon Finance, EverBank, DLL, Leaf
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: government, corporate, hospitality/retail, not-for-profit
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: KÔTA recruited Tod Pike to a leadership position in the organization, opened a new showroom and conference facility in central Connecticut and has gained attention as an exclusive sponsor in its category of the Connecticut Non-Profit Association and the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA).

KÔTA Shelton showroom

Why We Consider KÔTA, A Mohegan LDI Enterprise Elite:

  • Minority-owned business. The dealer has been designated a certified minority-owned business by the National Minority Diversity Supplier Council, which enables it to engage with corporations and businesses that have a mandate or desire to do their procurement from a certified MOB.
  • Expanded reach. KÔTA has expanded its market reach through its affiliation and certification by the Greater New England, NY, NJ and National Minority Diversity Supplier Council as a certified minority business.
  • KÔTA has been participating with business networking and chambers of commerce throughout the southern New England region, and recently became an ally member/sponsor for the Connecticut Non-Profit Alliance and is the Official Office Technology Partner to the CSGA.
  • Continuing growth. Founded in 2014, the dealer continues to grow its base. In 2017, it picked up significant contracts with Achievement First, Housatonic Community College and Gateway Community College.
  • Heritage support. KÔTA is extremely involved in Native American affairs and has been active with a number of nonprofit organizations as sponsor and benefactor.

Laser Options
Phoenix, AZ
www.laseroptions.com

Jeff Masters, CEO

  • Year Founded: 1993
  • President/Owner: Jeff Masters
  • Number of Employees: 69
  • Primary Vendors: Xerox, HP, Canon, Ricoh, Toshiba
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, PaperCut, DocXAP AP Automation, PSIGEN
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Wells Fargo, GE, US Bank, EverBank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Laser Options integrated with FlexPrint, Pro Copy and Cannon IV to create one of the nation’s largest MPS providers.

Why We Consider Laser Options Elite:

  • Printer supplies remanufacturing. Laser Options offers in-house remanufacturing of printer supplies, which provides it with a strategic pricing advantage for its MPS program. This allows the dealer to save money and provide service level agreements which it believes exceeds that of the competition.
  • Lean office environments. The dealer works with its clients to help them create a lean office environment by reducing their paper footprint, print volumes, associated costs and the time it takes to manage their document output infrastructure. Through a quarterly review process, Laser Options help clients gain control of their environment by providing visibility to, and maximizing processes in, the areas of capture, movement, storage and integration into their current software.
  • Industry honors. Laser Options has earned a spot on the Inc. 500/5000 four straight years. It has also been named one of the Top 10 Office Equipment Distributors and one of the Top 25 Manufacturers in Arizona.
  • Big wins. Laser Options worked with a national insurance agency to reduce its costs by 30 percent.
  • Charitable endeavors. During the past six years, Laser Options has employed developmentally challenged adults through its partnership with the “Nobody’s Perfect” nonprofit. It has worked with St. Mary’s Food Bank to serve more than two million meals and also participates in a variety of fundraising drives for nonprofits.

Lasers Resource, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI
www.lasersresource.com

  • Year Founded: 1991
  • President/Owner: Tom Senecal
  • Number of Employees: 20
  • Primary Vendors: HP, Xerox
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: HP JetAdvantage, Xerox ConnectKey, PrintReleaf, Ringdale FollowMe Print, PrintLogic suite, Omtool AccuRoute, Troy, XMedius Fax and Cloud Fax Solutions, PaperCut, RightFax
  • Primary Leasing Partners: TEAM Financial, GreatAmerica
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: OEM, color supplies, MPS growth, professional services, software solutions
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Lasers Resource crowning achievement for 2017 was attaining premier partnership with HP, an elite distinction that has been bestowed upon fewer than 65 dealers across the United States.

Tom Senecal, president of Lasers Resource, performs a ribbon cutting in October to welcome a new location.

Why We Consider Lasers Resources Elite:

  • Consultative approach. An IT-centric organization, Lasers Resource takes a studied approach when evaluating the solutions needs of its clients. It studies the client’s current environment and develops a solution in tandem to ensure alignment with the corporate strategy. The dealer finds that its clients are satisfied with their implementation and ongoing support.
  • Multi-channel marketing. Lasers Resource combines traditional and 21st century marketing game plans, with a focus on capturing its markets’ attention through digital resources such as educational materials and mobile platforms. The online positioning of its organization as a thought and technology leader drives Laser Resource’s success.
  • Pivotal business wins. Lasers Resource provided a large food-processing manufacturer with a comprehensive MPS program. This client now has a print environment that is efficient for its users, is part of their network security strategy and captures data to provide them with business intelligence.
  • Open culture. The dealer implemented a management framework called the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which helps create an open culture. In EOS, Lasers Resource provides a vision, short-term and long-term goals, an accountability structure and regular reporting to the staff. By providing this structure, its teams are more attuned to the company’s direction and its moving-forward plans. The dealer encourages continuous education and training for its employees, and solicits input and ideas for improvement.
  • Giving spirit. Team members volunteer their time to assist other local businesses with ideas for improvement. A number of employees are members of advisory boards and foundations for local firms. Lasers Resource makes donations to local medical facilities to aid in health care growth and partners with PrintReleaf to encourage sustainable practices among local businesses. To date, the collaboration has resulted in the planting of more than 5,000 trees.

Martin Group
Lake Geneva, WI
www.martingroup.com

  • Year Founded: 1980
  • President/Owner: John Stensland
  • Number of Employees: 26
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: OneSource, PageScope, PaperCut, Square 9
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Software sales
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Comprehensive redesign of website, which provides a better client experience when entering service calls or supply orders.

Why We Consider Martin Group Elite:

  • Custom client presentations. Martin Group has redesigned its client presentations to be more customized in a way that shows how the dealer’s Konica Minolta offerings can address the customer’s specific needs and support their goals.
  • Enhanced leave-behind materials. Customers still value face-to-face interactions, which is an effective tool for Martin Group to convey its message and capabilities. As such, the dealer has updated its marketing materials that it leaves with clients to provide clearer insights into key points of differentiation. These simple and concise talking points better deliver the dealer’s message and enable customers to see its value proposition in support of their technology needs.
  • Website refresh. Martin Group has brought the management of its website in-house for more efficient updating and branding that is consistent with its marketing materials. By controlling its online content and using Google Analytics to track how people are interacting with the site, Martin Group can more effectively generate growth.
  • Consistency of service. Martin Group has won the Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Service Award for 12 consecutive years. The award recognizes Konica Minolta dealers that are able to demonstrate the highest level of commitment to client care and satisfaction. Fewer than 5 percent of all Konica Minolta dealers and direct operations earn this distinction.
  • Civic responsibility. Martin Group provides corporate sponsorship of numerous local organizations and schools, including sports teams and nonprofit organizations. The dealer also belongs to more than 20 Chambers of Commerce in the areas it serves, routinely donating prizes for raffles, silent auctions, and other fundraisers, plus providing monetary support for various Chamber projects including golf-outing hole sponsorships, annual dinners, and community directories.

Millennium Business Systems
Livonia MI
http://www.2millennium.com

  • Year Founded: 1997
  • President/Owner: Michael Neu
  • Number of Employees: 35
  • Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Xerox
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Toshiba- and Xerox-embedded solutions
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS Printing Services
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealership celebrated its 20th anniversary by adding Xerox as a vendor partner, extending its line beyond Toshiba.

Mike and Debbie Neu

Why We Consider Millennium Business Systems Elite:

  • Superior customer service. Millennium provides an average response time of 2.5 hours with a lifetime repair and replacement warranty. The dealer provides customized billing options and acts as a single point of contact.
  • Efficient scheduling. The dealer utilizes GPS mapping tools for its technicians to avoid long travel times while improving service response time.
  • Sales collaboration. Millennium’s inside sales team collaborates with its on-the-street sales personnel to schedule appoints and provide marketing strategies.
  • Quality work environment. Millennium employs a team-based leadership approach that develops roles for each employee and works collaboratively with them to help improve the customer’s experience. The dealer also stresses a work/life balance while cultivating a family-friendly atmosphere for employees. These family values permeate how Millennium does business with its clients.
  • Giving back. Millennium supports many of its customers through fundraisers, golf outings and annual events.

Oklahoma Copier Solutions
Norman, OK
www.oklahomacopiersolutions.com

  • Year Founded: 1999
  • President/Owner: John Miller
  • Number of Employees: 35
  • Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Lexmark, KIP, KYOCERA
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Full IT support, PaperCut
  • Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, Wells Fargo, US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Sales growth of 110%
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealership celebrated a huge deal in capturing the winning bid from one of the largest school districts in the Oklahoma City metro area, a pact that included selling more than 100 machines.

Why We Consider Oklahoma Copier Solutions Elite:

  • Showing school spirit. Oklahoma Copier Solutions’ primary focus is on the education market, and it provides quality service technicians who ensure that schools of all sizes and those in remote locations will not be down for a significant time. Its technicians are constantly trained to ensure they are kept abreast of the latest technologies.
  • Providing user confidence. Mindful of the budgetary pressures faced by educational clients, Oklahoma Copier Solutions conducts comprehensive site analysis to address their needs in an exacting manner, without offering needless ancillary solutions. Keeping the client under budget is one of its value propositions.
  • Employee-friendly operations. As a happy employee is a productive worker, Oklahoma Copier Solutions strives to be accommodating to its team members, providing flex time and understanding their needs in times of extenuating circumstances. The dealer encourages individual growth and professional advancement by using various training tools to help augment their skills.
  • Community caring. Not surprisingly, Oklahoma Copier Solutions is an ardent backer of all its educational clients and provides support in their fundraising initiatives. The dealer hosts an annual golf tournament for clients and relies on local vendors for providing food, trophies and marketing. The company is also involved in its local Chambers of Commerce.

On Demand Incorporated
Houston, TX
www.ondemandhouston.com

  • Year Founded: 1999
  • President/Owner: Michael Gray
  • Number of Employees: 20
  • Primary Vendors: KYOCERA, Sharp, MBM, Martin Yale, Pitney Bowes
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Drivve, PaperCut, Satori
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL, Marlin, Wells Fargo
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Pitney Bowes product (150%), color copiers (200%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: On Demand Incorporated holds the distinction of being the only authorized Pitney Bowes dealer in Houston

Why We Consider On Demand Incorporated Elite:

  • A one-stop shop provider. On Demand takes pride in its role as a full-service provider for customers, offering hardware sales, service and supplies, along with MPS, tri-meter color billing and software to automate its service to be proactive to its customers’ needs.
  • Banner efforts. The dealer allows schools and nonprofits to use their copiers for banner printing.
  • Vendor recognition. On Demand was named a Premier Dealer by GreatAmerica and Pitney Bowes.
  • Cross-training initiatives. In order to add organizational depth and fill in where necessary, On Demand cross trains its employees. This adds to their knowledge base and helps the dealer better serve its clients.
  • Community involvement. On Demand supports organizations that include the City of Hope, Knights of Columbus and the Houston Postal Consumer Council.

Pearson-Kelly Technology
Springfield, MO
www.pearsonkelly.com

  • Year Founded: 2002
  • President/Owner: Mike Kelly
  • Number of Employees: 28
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, KYOCERA, Duplo, KIP
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, Prism, Nuance
  • Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, GreatAmerica, Marlin
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Hardware (20%), software and solutions (100%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Pearson-Kelly Technology sought to build upon its strong formula for success, using client satisfaction as a barometer as opposed to revenues or profits. The dealer solicits feedback from clients post-installation and following support calls, which helps the firm measure performance against its mission and ensure it is maintaining the integrity promised.

Mike Kelly, president and Chelsey Bode, vice president

Why We Consider Pearson-Kelly Technology Elite:

  • Client-friendly initiatives. Pearson-Kelly empowers its staff in making critical decisions, which makes it a more nimble organization. It makes complex hardware and software solutions easier for the client to understand. The dealer has a vested interest and genuine concern for the success of its customer base; as such, Pearson-Kelly endeavors to provide the best value on the client’s investment.
  • Modernized marketing. Pearson-Kelly continues to leverage various social media platforms to expand its visibility and provide insight to its product and service portfolio. It has also made significant SEO investments to better leverage its website and garner new leads.
  • Industry recognition. The dealer was locally recognized as one of the Top 12 fastest growing companies in its market space.
  • Long-term planning. Pearson-Kelly is a family owned and operated business with a succession plan in place. This differentiates the dealer from many of its competitors, which opt to sell once the owners retire from the business.
  • Caring and sharing. The dealer participates in group and individual volunteering. It also provides financial and in-kind support for local nonprofits.

Southwest Copy Systems Inc.
Albuquerque, NM
www.southwestcopy.com

  • Year Founded: 1992
  • President/Owner: Michael and Dorothy Contois
  • Number of Employees: 31
  • Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Sharp, Samsung, Lexmark
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: ROI, Square 9, PaperCut, Lexmark Solutions, Samsung Solutions, Datto
  • Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, USB, GE, Wells Fargo, GreatAmerica
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to 10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS (30%), educational markets.
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: A pact with the Albuquerque Public Schools netted over 1,200 machine placements (450-500 Toshiba A3, 600-700 Samsung A4). The account took nearly three years to cultivate, and it also helped Southwest Copy secure a number of other educational accounts, with more than 1,700 unit placements in this vertical alone.

Why We Consider Southwest Copy Systems Elite:

  • Tailored customer solutions. Recognizing that an out-of-the-box solution will not fly with every customer, Southwest Copy Systems has the ability to adjust to individual needs and challenges. That philosophy has enabled it to retain clients over the long haul with a 90 percent retention rate, and many of its earliest customers still do business with Southwest.
  • Excellence in MPS. Southwest Copy Systems stakes claim as the finest MPS solution provider in the Albuquerque market, with more than 12 years of experience and thousands of customer solutions provided. The dealer leads with its programs in the sales process, as opposed to hardware.
  • Schooling the competition. In an account that took nearly three years to develop, Southwest Copy Systems secured a contract with Albuquerque Public Schools that included the placement of more than 1,200 Toshiba A3 and A4 devices. That opened the door to other education accounts, with total placements numbering in excess of 1,700 units in that vertical alone.
  • Partner recognition. Southwest Copy Systems garnered several honors, including the US Bank Gold Partner Award, the Toshiba Pro-Masters Award and Market Leadership Platinum Award for the Western Region, and the Sharp Platinum Provider Award.
  • Community caring. The Wounded Warriors Project, Children’s Cancer Fund and the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico are among the recipients of Southwest Copy Systems’ support.

Stone’s Office Equipment
Richmond, VA
www.stonesoffice.com

  • Year Founded: 1970
  • President/Owner: Sam Stone
  • Number of Employees: 25
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp, Lexmark, Panasonic, Xerox, FP Mailing
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Lexmark, InfoDynamics
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS (double-digit growth).
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Among its 2017 highlights, Stone’s Office Equipment scored in the Top 10 for CEO Juice’s Net Promoter Score and is CompTIA Managed Print Service Trustmark certified, the only such dealer in Virginia. The firm continues to augment its best practice processes by utilizing tools from BEI Services, CEO Juice, ICDA and Compass.

Shown from left: Mike Berry, vice president; Tina Berry; Frank Stone, founder; Sally Stone; Sam Stone, president

Why We Consider Stone’s Office Equipment Elite:

  • Top-tier service offering. Service is what sets Stone’s Office Equipment apart from its competition, with a concentrated emphasis on the customer experience. The dealer takes pride in having every call answered by a person as opposed to an automated phone system. Knowing the customers by name underscores this commitment.
  • Cash for clunkers. The dealer has its own twist on the automotive marketing slogan. Stone’s removes old copiers from the field by offering aggressive pricing to customers when bundled with MPS or IT services.
  • Focus on MPS. Educating clients on the benefits of managing their fleets is a key component of Stone’s MPS mission. The dealer holds private seminars to provide information to potential MPS clients.
  • Net-new business. Stone’s Office Equipment secured a pair of wins in the medical and legal industries. It captured the MPS business of the largest independent specialty medical practice in Virginia, along with several MPS and scanner placements in the legal field.
  • Charitable efforts. Stone’s Office Equipment is a supporter of The Jillian Fund and the Cameron Gallagher Speak Up 5K, which raises awareness of teenage mental health issues. It supports the YMCA to benefit children’s camps and programs.

The Swenson Group (TSG)
Livermore, CA
www.theswensongroup.com

  • Year Founded: 1993
  • President/Owner: Dean Swenson
  • Number of Employees: 25
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, All Covered, OKI Data
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Nuance, Square 9, Prism, All Covered
  • Primary Leasing Partners: USB
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $8.5 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed network services (121%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The Swenson Group has invested in the Traction Entrepreneurial Operating System. During the past year, the dealer focused on having its six Core Values drive everything it does, and has created and shared a clear vision for the company that is embraced throughout the organization.

The Swenson Group team

Why We Consider The Swenson Group (TSG) Elite:

  • Post-sale care. TSG has created a strategic services business model that focuses on the post-sale customer experience. One of its charters is to be partner that is easy to do business with. By understanding an issue and solving a client’s challenge, it enables TSG to transform vendor status and become a true business partner and trusted advisor.
  • Marketing reboot. The dealer has revamped its website and messaging to provide valuable content for clients and prospects in order to position itself as a thought leader. TSG has used a Net Promoter Score customer-surveying strategy to garner feedback in real time. As a result, the dealer has achieved the highest customer satisfaction and retention in its marketplace.
  • Customer integration. Following a merger between one of TSG’s larger clients and another firm in Southern California, the dealer feared it might result in the loss of business. But the newly merged company’s CIO sent out a network-wide memorandum, stating that TSG is the company’s exclusive technology partner. As a result, TSG has nearly doubled its business with the client.
  • Vendor recognition. TSG has received Konica Minolta’s Dealer of Excellence, Pro-Tech Service, Top All Covered Dealer awards, along with the GreatAmerica Leasing Dealer of Distinction honor and the City of Livermore Top Business of 2016.
  • Corporate giving. TSG works with its nonprofit clients in sponsoring and contributing to fundraisers including crab feeds, golf tournaments and walk-a-thons. The dealer also sits on local boards for public schools and nonprofits.

United Office Systems, Inc.
Marietta, GA
www.unitedos.com

  • Year Founded: 1992
  • President/Owner: Michael Walsh
  • Number of Employees: 29
  • Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Lexmark
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Square 9, Dispatcher
  • Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, US Bank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: A4 equipment (20%), solution sales (30%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Winning the Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Service Excellence award for the 10th consecutive year.

United Office Systems executives (from left) Michael Wash, Michelle Daniel and David Harding

Why We Consider United Office Systems Elite:

  • Customer commitment. United Office Systems believes in providing a high touch and responsiveness in support of its customers. Its service, administration and sales departments are organized to provide a high level of support to meet the clients’ evolving needs, something the dealer feels is lacking at the large branch offices of major manufacturers.
  • Setting the stage. United Office Systems is backed by an efficient in-house telemarketing team that provides lead generation for its sales department.
  • Vendor recognitions. For the tenth straight year, United Office Systems was presented with the Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Award and cited for its A3 MFP sales growth. It also garnered the Diamond level Service Excellence Award from BEI Services.
  • Employee empowerment. United Office Systems has created an atmosphere where it encourages employees to make strategic decisions in the best interest of the customer. This empowerment helps to forge long-lasting relationships with the dealer’s client base.
  • Making a difference in the community. The dealer has a number of initiatives in support of the local community, from sponsoring a youth soccer team to supporting a fundraising effort for an elementary school. United Office Systems also sponsors and provides equipment for local nonprofit events.

UTEC
Ann Arbor, MI
www.utecit.com

  • Year Founded: 2008
  • President/Owner: Kevin Van Kannel
  • Number of Employees: 41
  • Primary Vendors: Sharp, Formax, Muratec, Microsoft, KYOCERA, Lenovo, Dell, HP
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Industry Weapon, Office 365, Jive, PaperCut, Prism
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL, UniFi
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $7 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed network services (65%), overall sales (30%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealer moved into a 30,000-square-foot facility from its previous 6,000-square-foot space and rebranded from University Office Technologies to UTEC. The new building features a large showroom for product and service demonstrations, and includes a state-of-the-art conference center, which holds 200 people.

Shown from left: Christine Liphardt, director of marketing; Mark Funchion, director of technology; Kevin Van Kannel, president; Tom Wykowski, director of service and operations; Dan Heimler, director of sales

Why We Consider UTEC Elite:

  • Personal touch. Regardless of the size of the customer, UTEC offers a hands-on approach from its administrative department, sales reps, service technicians and IT support team. All customer calls are greeted by a live person who is engaged with their needs in a prompt and reliable manner. Company president Kevin Van Kannel is always available to meet the needs of UTEC’s clients.
  • Inbound marketing. UTEC recently added an inbound marketing solution, providing an extra tool beyond Google Analytics for tracking and contacting website leads. It will also be critical for devising email marketing campaigns.
  • Web enabled. UTEC has refreshed its website to make it more mobile friendly, providing visitors with an enhanced user experience while showcasing the dealer’s product and service capabilities. During the past year, UTEC also augmented its social media presence on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook with a 90 percent increase in posts.
  • Industry honors. In addition to being awarded Sharp’s Platinum Level Service Provider for the sixth consecutive year, UTEC was presented with the Hyakuman Kai award for outstanding sales achievement for the ninth straight year.
  • Fun work environment. The dealer installed a nine-hole mini-golf course, which is showcased during customer tours around the company’s new facility, and includes logo golf balls and scorecards. The building also features a regulation-size racquetball/wallyball court, weight room and locker room. UTEC installed nine 55” video displays, which are used during hosted events or to watch games.

Vision Office Systems, Inc.
Charlotte, NC
www.visionofficesystems.com

  • Year Founded: 1997
  • President/Owner: Fred Habbal
  • Number of Employees: 40
  • Primary Vendors: Canon, Muratec, Epson, Lexmark, Samsung
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, PaperCut, Canon
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Leaf
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: Light production (50%), desktop printers (80%)
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Vision Office Systems pulled the trigger on its long-planned opening of two new branch locations.

Fred (left) and Jason Habbal

Why We Consider Vision Office Systems Elite:

  • The buck stops here. One of the aspects customers truly value about Vision Office Systems is its ability to make quick decisions at every level, providing resolution in a quick and efficient manner without the need to get approvals from another part of the country.
  • Customers get the picture. Vision Office Systems uses television giveaways several times a year as an enticement for customers, and it has proven an effective way to procure new accounts for the dealer.
  • Account victory. A law firm with offices located throughout the Southeast was among Vision Office Systems’ biggest scores in 2017. The client was unsatisfied with a direct operations provider’s service and support, so Vision stepped in and has upgraded all the systems within their offices and is currently working on a software installation across its network.
  • Industry honors. A GreatAmerica Premier Dealer for each of the last six years, Vision Office Systems is also a three-time Canon Outstanding Partner Award winner.
  • Charitable contributions. Vision Office Systems is an active supporter of the Lake Wylie Children’s Charity, which holds fundraising events to assist the families of children who face serious or terminal diseases. The dealer also supports numerous church fundraising initiatives throughout the year.

WCC Business Solutions
Clearwater, FL
www.wccbs.com

  • Year Founded: 1976
  • President/Owner: Gordy Link
  • Number of Employees: 28
  • Primary Vendors: Ricoh, OKI Data
  • Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, Global Scan, PaperCut, Streamline, Process Director
  • Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, US Bank, EverBank
  • Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million
  • Fastest Growing Business Segments: ECM Solutions
  • Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The key for WCC Business Solutions was identifying the best roles for its employees. The dealer feels its current configuration has a quicker impact on developing a solution-focused sales and implementation team.

Why We Consider WCC Business Solutions Elite:

  • A trusted partner. WCC Business Solutions positions itself as a trusted partner. Following a mantra of “together we grow our business,” the dealer focuses specific solutions tailored to how its customers operate through targeted hardware and software solutions.
  • Workflow management. One of the biggest wins for WCC Business Solutions in 2017 was partnering with an insurance company to provide Ricoh’s ProcessDirector workflow management software. The six-figure solution helped revolutionize the way the customer does business, streamlining processes while satisfying compliance.
  • Unified culture. WCC Business Solutions’ workforce rallies around the customer while following its core value sets. The dealer has a “win as a team, lose as a team” mindset, with employees supporting one another to accomplish the organization’s goals.
  • Caring and sharing. WCC Business Solutions financially adopted a foster child, whom the company supports with various contributions. The dealer is also involved with Eckerd Youth, which seeks to mold children into model citizens, and contributes to the mission of its nonprofit clients.
  • Vendor recognition. The dealer has won Ricoh’s Top Solution Provider Award for the South region in consecutive years.
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