ARTICLE
In today's business world, computers and technology shape the way businesses operate. A lot of businesses wouldn't exist if it weren't for the power of the internet; the opportunities it provides seemingly are endless. Throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley, there are many information technology firms that can help equip and manage your business' technology needs. One that's had a strong presence in the region for more than 30 years is Computer Management & Marketing Associates Inc. in Bath. Its owners are Colburn Q. Kent, Shelley K. Harkins, Lisa A. Heberling and Thomas J. Conroy. Here to answer this week's “Behind the List” questions is Kent, president of the information technology firm. Lehigh Valley Business: How long has CMA been operating? Colburn Kent: Computer Management & Marketing Associates Inc., known locally as CMA, has provided IT solutions and service for more than three decades. Founded in 1983, CMA focused initially on providing business application programming to a wide variety of industries in the Lehigh Valley, both in the private and public sector. In 1984, we selected IBM's Partner Program, providing implementation and customization of IBM Midrange Software, as well as developing custom applications. CMA is proud to be a 50 percent woman-owned business. … Together, we help drive our company to meet its goals of keeping pace with technology and building trust with our customers while helping them maximize their return on investments made. As early PCs [personal computers] and Window servers started appearing as a new business tool, CMA expanded staff with certified network engineers and expanded our service offerings. In addition to maintaining our IBM Business Partner status, we are a Microsoft and INFOR Partner, as well as a Dell and Cisco reseller. We are an Apple consultant, supporting the Apple product line with the Mac servers, iPads and iPhones, integrating them into the company's networks. We continue to provide IT consulting for all types of business software and hardware solutions, partnering with some of the biggest names in the industry. We are able to respond to ever-changing critical needs and solutions. We recognize that whether our clients are purchasing a PC or implementing applications in the cloud, they want to know what return they can realize from their IT investments. We're proud that we've been able to evolve with technology to remain a valuable asset to our clients. Our company's experienced IT specialists plan and design networks with careful consideration of each client's servers, storage space, application needs and performance demands. New products include business intelligence software designed to complement any ERP [enterprise resource planning] product. While we continue to help clients maximize their investments, our company also is focused on protecting them. It's common knowledge that companies of all sizes face a growing threat from malware, viruses and spam attacks that can hinder productivity and cost money to repair. To protect our clients, CMA is incorporating an even more secure defense against hackers … and offering disaster recovery and business continuity services. LVB: What have been biggest challenges and opportunities through the years? Kent: We would say adapting to the incredibly evolving world of IT. Emerging technology becomes both an opportunity and challenge. One of the consequences of that acceleration is the life cycle of existing hardware and its software has shortened because primarily vendors reduce or remove support in favor of the new products. We've seized the opportunity to help clients reduce that impact and more by offering virtual services such as remotely hosted hardware and software, thus reducing exposure to expensive upgrades every few years. Our remote monitoring help desk could spot a developing problem and correct it before that negatively impacts the business. … LVB: Does CMA work solely in the Lehigh Valley or does it expand to other markets? Kent: CMA remains a local IT source for the small-business sector, delivering products and services to a wide range of businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We historically have provided same-day service to our clients. With the era of remote monitoring of IT equipment and networks, we have been able to expand our area of support. We offer a combination of service, providing proactive remote support and on-site support. We recognize that many of our customers still prefer our technicians to be available at their location. We are proud to be recognized as a preferred company to support many nonprofit organizations as well as different businesses in the distribution, construction, manufacturing and service sectors. LVB: How does CMA directly stimulate the local economy? Kent: CMA's skilled staff and equipment help keep our customers more productive with the latest information tools and network security. As a direct result, these businesses can generate more income and provide more stimulus to our local economy. We are a members and supporters of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and we participate in many of the benefit programs available, which we also believe has a positive effect on our local community. LVB: What does the future look like for CMA and does it have plans for growth? Kent: CMA recognizes there is always need for business to engage with an IT professional in one form or another. We offer consultation on how business plans will determine equipment changes, and we are always available for direct IT support. However, with our national partners providing off-site, hosted technology through us, we are able to offer even more competitive remote support; monitoring each piece of critical equipment and addressing problems before they impact the business. That remote support allows CMA to reach out to many new customers that recognize that value. We can also extend beyond our normal two-hour driving distance to provide quick response because many of the issues can be identified and resolved right through our service desk. Read the full article here!
In today's business world, computers and technology shape the way businesses operate. A lot of businesses wouldn't exist if it weren't for the power of the internet; the opportunities it provides seemingly are endless.
Throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley, there are many information technology firms that can help equip and manage your business' technology needs.
One that's had a strong presence in the region for more than 30 years is Computer Management & Marketing Associates Inc. in Bath. Its owners are Colburn Q. Kent, Shelley K. Harkins, Lisa A. Heberling and Thomas J. Conroy.
Here to answer this week's “Behind the List” questions is Kent, president of the information technology firm.
Lehigh Valley Business: How long has CMA been operating?
Colburn Kent: Computer Management & Marketing Associates Inc., known locally as CMA, has provided IT solutions and service for more than three decades. Founded in 1983, CMA focused initially on providing business application programming to a wide variety of industries in the Lehigh Valley, both in the private and public sector. In 1984, we selected IBM's Partner Program, providing implementation and customization of IBM Midrange Software, as well as developing custom applications.
CMA is proud to be a 50 percent woman-owned business. … Together, we help drive our company to meet its goals of keeping pace with technology and building trust with our customers while helping them maximize their return on investments made.
As early PCs [personal computers] and Window servers started appearing as a new business tool, CMA expanded staff with certified network engineers and expanded our service offerings. In addition to maintaining our IBM Business Partner status, we are a Microsoft and INFOR Partner, as well as a Dell and Cisco reseller. We are an Apple consultant, supporting the Apple product line with the Mac servers, iPads and iPhones, integrating them into the company's networks.
We continue to provide IT consulting for all types of business software and hardware solutions, partnering with some of the biggest names in the industry. We are able to respond to ever-changing critical needs and solutions. We recognize that whether our clients are purchasing a PC or implementing applications in the cloud, they want to know what return they can realize from their IT investments. We're proud that we've been able to evolve with technology to remain a valuable asset to our clients.
Our company's experienced IT specialists plan and design networks with careful consideration of each client's servers, storage space, application needs and performance demands. New products include business intelligence software designed to complement any ERP [enterprise resource planning] product.
While we continue to help clients maximize their investments, our company also is focused on protecting them. It's common knowledge that companies of all sizes face a growing threat from malware, viruses and spam attacks that can hinder productivity and cost money to repair.
To protect our clients, CMA is incorporating an even more secure defense against hackers … and offering disaster recovery and business continuity services.
LVB: What have been biggest challenges and opportunities through the years?
Kent: We would say adapting to the incredibly evolving world of IT. Emerging technology becomes both an opportunity and challenge. One of the consequences of that acceleration is the life cycle of existing hardware and its software has shortened because primarily vendors reduce or remove support in favor of the new products.
We've seized the opportunity to help clients reduce that impact and more by offering virtual services such as remotely hosted hardware and software, thus reducing exposure to expensive upgrades every few years. Our remote monitoring help desk could spot a developing problem and correct it before that negatively impacts the business. …
LVB: Does CMA work solely in the Lehigh Valley or does it expand to other markets?
Kent: CMA remains a local IT source for the small-business sector, delivering products and services to a wide range of businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We historically have provided same-day service to our clients.
With the era of remote monitoring of IT equipment and networks, we have been able to expand our area of support. We offer a combination of service, providing proactive remote support and on-site support. We recognize that many of our customers still prefer our technicians to be available at their location.
We are proud to be recognized as a preferred company to support many nonprofit organizations as well as different businesses in the distribution, construction, manufacturing and service sectors.
LVB: How does CMA directly stimulate the local economy?
Kent: CMA's skilled staff and equipment help keep our customers more productive with the latest information tools and network security. As a direct result, these businesses can generate more income and provide more stimulus to our local economy.
We are a members and supporters of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and we participate in many of the benefit programs available, which we also believe has a positive effect on our local community.
LVB: What does the future look like for CMA and does it have plans for growth?
Kent: CMA recognizes there is always need for business to engage with an IT professional in one form or another. We offer consultation on how business plans will determine equipment changes, and we are always available for direct IT support.
However, with our national partners providing off-site, hosted technology through us, we are able to offer even more competitive remote support; monitoring each piece of critical equipment and addressing problems before they impact the business. That remote support allows CMA to reach out to many new customers that recognize that value.
We can also extend beyond our normal two-hour driving distance to provide quick response because many of the issues can be identified and resolved right through our service desk.