Year Founded: 1986
President/Owner: Shane Sloan
Number of Employees: 225

Primary Vendors: Sharp, Ricoh, Toshiba, Lexmark, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Avaya, Datto
Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, PaperCut, Microsoft, VMware, UniFi, Datto, SonicWALL, Ubiquiti Networks
Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL, Wells Fargo, US Bank
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $50 to $55 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: IT solutions and services, telecommunications, document management and print solutions
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Access Systems continues to grow organically in tandem with its largest acquisition in company history, Midwest Business Products. The firm was added this past February and it has added staff while expanding offerings and improving its internal network infrastructure.

Why We Consider Access Systems Elite:

Growing the scope. The dealer has consistently produced substantial net new growth each year. During 2018, that growth accelerated in many of its key geographical markets, including the greater Omaha area.
Top honors. Among Access Systems’ many recent awards, it was named a 2018 Channel Futures MSP 501 winner, a 2017-2018 CRN Solution Provider, 2017 CRN Triple Crown, 2017 CRN Fast Growth 150, 2017 Sharp Hyakuman Kai Elite Dealer, 2017 MSP Mentor 501, 2016-2017 Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider and 2017 Ricoh RFG Circle of Excellence Certified Dealership.
Key differentiator. The dealer’s managed IT services business, including its network operations center (NOC), supports the entire IT and print divisions. Built in 2014, this state-of-the-art facility, with stadium seating and three large projection screens, provides a collaborative, visual environment to provide exceptional service. Originally home to 12 technicians, two expansions (including one late this year) will boost the total to 36 technicians.
This past February, Access Systems successfully completed its Systems and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 examination. The rigorous, independent assessment validated that its managed IT services comply with the best practices for data security. Customers with their own compliance requirements, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, may use the SOC 2 report as part of their own compliance strategy.

The Access Systems family of employees drive the firm’s success

ACP (formerly All Copy Products)
Denver, CO
www.allcopyproducts.com
www.verticomm.com

Year Founded: 1975
President/Owner: Brad Knepper
Number of Employees: 400
Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Canon, Sharp, Toshiba, Muratec, Lexmark, Océ, KIP, KYOCERA, Promethean
Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, FM Audit, Canon, Drivve, Prism, Fujitsu, StratoQ, Process Matters, Objectif Lune, Intellinetics, Square 9, Laserfiche, Nuance
Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL, US Bank
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $74 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Managed IT
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: In addition to its new $34 million corporate headquarters, set to open in the summer of 2019, the dealer has rebranded from All Copy Products to ACP. It has a new logo and updated brand based on extensive market research, and believes its new tagline, “Complete Office Technology Solutions,” effectively conveys its evolution into a full-fledged technology company.

Why We Consider ACP Elite:

Paid ads. Seeking to dominate the Google Paid Ads space, ACP has more than 30 active campaigns to provide a custom-tailored experience based on search terms. Additionally, ACP has built out campaigns down to the ZIP code for the areas it supports, giving its sales reps search analytics that translate into better times to make cold calls or allow them to see when specific search terms are being searched for by day and time.
Telemarketing growth. ACP’s telemarketing team calls on assigned accounts by reps eight hours a day, five days a week. Through training and building the team, it has the ability to log thousands of calls per month and set more appointments for reps on accounts they were having difficulty penetrating. On average, ACP is realizing 5,000 more calls per month and 60-plus appointments scheduled for sales reps.
Service strides. ACP is a PROS Elite 100 dealer that has continuously grown its Net Promoter Score rating and boasts above-average response times. It offers a unique technician bonus program to incentive its customers.
Community care. Each year ACP hosts a charity golf tournament that has raised more than $50,000 the past two years for Denver non-profit Warren Village. The dealer sponsors or supports various non-profit client events and encourages employees to volunteer during work hours, for which they are paid.

Applied Imaging
Grand Rapids, MI
www.appliedimaging.com

Year Founded: 1987
President/Owner: John Lowery
Number of Employees: 390
Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Canon, Océ, KYOCERA
Primary Solutions Offerings: Hyland, Microsoft, Square 9
Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, US Bank, Wells Fargo, Canon Financial
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $92 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Its IT division, branded as NetSmartai, which has witnessed significant growth in certain geographic markets
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Applied Imaging acquired longtime industry rival Hasselbring-Clark during 2018 and integrated most of its employees into the dealer’s unique culture. The deal has enabled Applied Imaging to significantly increase government-related business, as Hasselbring-Clark is headquartered in the Michigan capital of Lansing.

Why We Consider Applied Imaging Elite:

Expanding health care. Applied Imaging has leveraged its local relationship with Stryker Corp., a Fortune 500 medical technologies firm, to reap more product placements on a national scale.
Marketing prowess. During the past 14 years, customer testimonials became the primary creative execution for the dealer’s aggressive morning drive radio schedule. After adding Lansing and the Flint/Saginaw markets to the advertising schedule, Applied Imaging commercials can now be heard on 25 of the top-rated stations throughout Michigan and northern Ohio three weeks per month, twelve months a year.
Cultural success. Boasting a culture it feels is the envy of the office-technology community, Applied Imaging has established Applied Chemistry, which follows 12 Elements of Success. These elements are BTU (Build Team Unity), HTN (Hit the Number), Fun, Community, Creativity, Knowledge, Dream, Family, Humility, Integrity, SBS (Success by Selection) and Service. As a result, Applied Imaging is consistently voted one of the best places to work in both West Michigan and greater Detroit.
Giving back. Community is one of the 12 Elements of Success espoused by Applied Imaging. Many of its employees and the entire management team sit on non-profit boards. Employees make a $5 donation each week for the opportunity to wear jeans on Wednesdays, and that money is donated to a monthly chosen charity. Employees can also volunteer 10 paid work hours each year to serve organizations of their choice. In addition, one of Applied Imaging’s drivers delivers lunches once a month to local schools for children who cannot afford them.

Over the years, Applied Imaging has been a key supporter of ArtPrize, an annual 19-day event in downtown Grand Rapids that has become the most attended public art event in the world. Applied Imaging has always worked behind the scenes for the non-profit, but this year they also produced a social media video that was cut into a 30-second TV commercial and used as a billboard ad to promote ArtPrize

Blue Technologies
Cleveland, OH
www.btohio.com

Year Founded: 1995
President/Owner: Paul Hanna
Number of Employees: 191
Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Lexmark, KIP
Primary Solutions Offerings: Hyland, Nuance, Bluebeam, Intellinetics, BlueProtect, BT Scan, BT Capture, DocsCorp, Nuance, FileBound, Kofax, Hyland Software, iManage, Objectif Lune, Print Audit, Konica Minolta, Prism, ScanPath, Software Shelf International
Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, US Bank, GE, CIT
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $52 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Professional services (30%), managed IT (213%), Blue Technologies Smart Solutions
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealer committed to a new ERP and CRM with a four-month ramping period without outside assistance.

Why We Consider Blue Technologies Elite:

Business wins. Blue Technologies enjoyed a number of significant hardware placements and service contracts throughout the year, including a 40-unit hardware deal at a school district for nearly a quarter-million dollars. It placed 94 machines for a health care provider in a $270,000 deal, and 11 machines with MPS for a K-12 client that brought in more than $200,000. It also sold a managed services pact to a marketing agency for $310,000 over three years, as well as an ECM solution with a nonprofit for $300,000.
Digital strategy. In 2018 alone, Blue Technologies invested in upgrading its CRM, implementing a new ERP, building a new website and implementing HubSpot—programs that will all integrate with one another. By updating to the most-current version of CRM software, the program will aid in automating the sales process. The upgrade will also work with HubSpot to gain leads for its sales team, routing them to the appropriate sales team member.
Switching to a new ERP system will allow business operations to flow more smoothly for every department, with features that affect sales and contracts, accounting, purchasing, inventory and service. Reporting and customer self-service are two advantages to help reduce costs and assist with making educated decisions. This new system will allow the customer to order supplies, request service, pay a bill, and enter meter reads.
Swings for success. Blue Technologies has been involved with OhioGuidestone, formerly known as Berea Children’s Home and Family Service, since 1996. Throughout this partnership, Blue Technologies has become the lead sponsor of the yearly Golf Club and Classic, which raises money to support community-based programs that serve more than 30,000 local children and families in need. To date, more than $2.7 million has been raised.

Blue Technologies’ headquarters in Cleveland

Centric Business Systems
Owings Mills, MD
www.centricbiz.com

Year Founded: 1990
President/Owner: Rick Bastinelli
Number of Employees: 245
Primary Vendors: Sharp, Ricoh, KYOCERA, HP
Primary Solutions Offerings: M-Files, Square 9, PaperCut
Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, US Bank
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $55 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Expanded geographic territories in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Centric acquired Webster Integrated Technologies (WIT) of Ashland, VA. The acquisition enabled the dealer to expand its geographic footprint into the Richmond marketplace, along with 15 additional counties in Virginia.

Why We Consider Centric Business Systems Elite:

Marketing strategy. Centric has bolstered its digital and social-media marketing efforts, deploying campaigns through Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to communicate and inform clients regarding new solutions, dealer-sponsored events and industry news. It also provides employees with the opportunity to share information with their networks, expanding the dealer’s reach.
Technical support. The dealer launched a service program called Centric Connect, which provides technical support on network-connectivity issues related to a client’s multifunctional copier. This coverage enables Centric to resolve issues that occur post-installation and are outside the scope of its regular equipment maintenance agreement. This elective, add-on program provides added value to organizations who lack IT support or whose IT support may not have the capacity to manage their devices.
Workflow optimization. Centric was able to help one of the largest unions in North America implement two print shop environments in separate locations, creating a high-volume production environment that aides their marketing and communications teams’ member support efforts.
Publication recognitions. In 2018, Centric was named one of the Top 50 fastest-growing private companies in Greater Baltimore by the Baltimore Business Review. The CIO Review honored the dealer as one of the 20 Most Promising Managed Print Solutions Providers, while the Silicon Review dubbed it one of the 50 Smartest Companies of the Year.

Centric’s showroom at its corporate headquarters in Owings Mills, MD

Copiers Northwest, Inc.
Seattle, WA
www.copiersnw.com

Year Founded: 1986
President/Owner: Mark Petrie (CEO), Gregg Petrie (president)
Number of Employees: 235
Primary Vendors: Canon, Sharp, HP, Konica Minolta, Lexmark
Primary Solutions Offerings: Canon, PaperCut, PSIGEN, Nuance, Box, Laserfiche
Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, Canon Financial, DLL
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $50 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Production equipment
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Copiers Northwest constructed a new office/warehouse facility in Kennewick, WA, which houses its Tri-Cities branch office, and has additional room for growth.

Why We Consider Copiers Northwest Elite:

Uptime guarantee. Copiers Northwest offers a “never down” guarantee. In the event there is unexpected downtime on any of the equipment it provides, Copiers Northwest invites clients to visit any of its offices to make all of the prints/copies they need until the issue is resolved.
Available capacity. The dealer’s in-house production center can churn out posters, signage and overflow of large jobs locally in its state-of-the-art production facility, which boasts more than $1 million in equipment and software.
Manufacturer recognitions. Copiers Northwest has garnered Canon Advance Partner Elite Status from 2016-2018, and in 2017 Sharp presented the dealer with the Hyakuman Kai Outstanding Sales Achievement award.
Employee perks. In addition to an outstanding 401K match program, Copiers Northwest offers a number of enticements for employees, including Yoga Thursdays, bus pass reimbursement and free parking in downtown Seattle. Service and admin employees are also eligible to qualify for the annual President’s Club trips.

Copiers Northwest facility, with the famed Seattle Space Needle

EO Johnson Business Technologies
Wausau, WI
www.eojohnson.com
www.locknetmanagedit.com

Year Founded: 1957
President/Owner: Mary Jo Johnson (owner/CEO), Dave Greene (president/COO)
Number of Employees: 295
Primary Vendors: Canon, Océ, Ricoh, Samsung, Toshiba, RISO, Fortinet, HP, Nimble, Dell, Destroy It, Duplo, PSI, Standard, Zebra
Primary Solutions Offerings: EFI, FabSoft, VMware, MBM, MSI, Nuance, Objectif Lune, PaperCut, PrintFleet, PSIGEN, RF IDeas, Square 9, StorageCraft, ESET, Kaseya, Microsoft, VMware, Autotask, Zix, Barracuda, Cybershark, Qualys, Tenable, KnowBe4, Symantec
Primary Leasing Partners: In-house leasing through GreatAmerica
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $60 to $65 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Production print (25%)
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The dealer made two key acquisitions, adding Office Enterprises, which was integrated into its imaging business, and Cornerstone Technology, which was absorbed into EO Johnson’s Locknet IT business.

Why We Consider EO Johnson Business Technologies Elite:

Mark of consistency. EO Johnson has enjoyed a growth rate of 5 percent annually for the past three years. The addition of Office Enterprises and Cornerstone Technology have provided opportunities in northwest Wisconsin, increasing the company’s footprint and market share. Additionally, an expansion of security product offerings and vendor relationships in both the imaging and IT businesses are projected to drive additional growth in 2019 and beyond.
Major takedowns. There were a number of big wins across all business units, including a five-year contract renewal with a large medical facility in northern Wisconsin, a five-year pact with a major university and a $1 million deal that includes 1,000 units. The dealer boasts a stellar renewal rate in highly competitive markets.
Industry accolades. Owner and CEO Mary Johnson was acknowledged for her industry impact with a pair of awards in 2018. She was named by The Cannata Report as a Women of Business Technology Leader, while the YWCA presented her with a Women of Vision award for her impactful and inspiring contributions to women and minorities.
Growing benefits. During the past year, EO Johnson made several enhancements to its benefits package for employees, including an increase in paid paternity leave time, an increase in the 401K retirement contribution match, and the addition of high-performing, non-sales employees to the annual sales incentive trip.

Dave Greene (left), president and COO, and Mary Jo Johnson, CEO and owner

FlexPrint LLC — A Flex Technology Group Company
Phoenix, AZ
www.flexprintinc.com
www.flextg.com

Year Founded: 2005
President/Owner: Frank Gaspari
Number of Employees: 380
Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Sharp, HP, Lexmark, Xerox
Primary Solutions Offerings: NSI, Nuance, Omtool, EasyLink, FM Audit, ROI Print Manager, PaperCut, PrintManager, PrinterLogic, Nuance, nQueue, FollowMe Printing, KwikTag, DocRecord, Objectif Lune
Primary Leasing Partners: GE, GreatAmerica, US Bank, Wells Fargo
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $65 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Fortune 1000 companies
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: FlexPrint has been able to grow its share of large national accounts, including retailers, AM LAW 100 firms, Fortune 1000 companies and health care networks.

Why We Consider FlexPrint Elite:

Socially adept. FlexPrint continues to widen its scope in pinpointing prospects by using social-media channels with direct account-based marketing targeting. One campaign, the Flick Football Challenge, enabled National Retail Federation 2018 show attendees to compete for a chance to attend the Super Bowl.
Business model. FlexPrint’s model for providing national MPS solutions enables it to provide visibility to document technology at an enterprise level. Consistency is the key, achieved through services, processes and reporting/business reviews that provide stability and visibility its customers seek.
Industry accolades. FlexPrint has garnered a number of awards on the local and national stage. For the ninth year in a row, it was included on the Inc. 500/5000 list. It ranked seventh on the “Best Companies to Sell For” list from Selling Powers, and second on the CRN Fast Growth 150 list. FlexPrint also was cited in the Arizona Corporate Excellence Awards.
Philanthropic endeavors. FlexPrint employees provide their services to a local non-profit group, Sunshine Acres, which includes cleaning, sorting, moving and organizing donations. The employees recently helped repaint their facilities and performed general maintenance. Also, through its FlexCares program, the dealer provides full or matching funds to support employee endeavors with local and national non-profit groups.

Flo-Tech — A Flex Technology Group Company
Middletown, CT
www.flotech.net
flextg.com

Year Founded: 1992
President/Owner: John Byxbee
Number of Employees: 150
Primary Vendors: HP, Canon, Xerox, Lexmark, Dell
Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, Nuance, HP
Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, Wells Fargo, GreatAmerica, GE
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $50+ million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Large enterprise clients
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Flo-Tech, a managed print services specialist, joined the Flex Technology Group at the end of 2017.

Why We Consider Flo-Tech Elite:

Vendor agnostic. Flo-Tech works with its clients to understand their business and makes recommendations independent of the manufacturer. The dealer prefers to focus on the client, as opposed to the equipment. More than half of its engagements entail taking over support of the client’s existing equipment.
Cultural excellence. Flo-Tech has cultivated a culture where employees are inspired to go above and beyond the call of duty helping not only the clients, but their fellow co-workers as well. Since joining the Flex Technology Group, employees have enjoyed increased growth opportunities, while the dealer itself maintains a local, family atmosphere.
Major scores. While serving numerous verticals, Flo-Tech has enjoyed much success in the legal space, serving the top 43 firms in the AM Law 200. It also counts five of the top 20 accounting firms in the United States among its client base.
Helping hands. Flo-Tech has partnered with a local non-profit organization to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The efforts were successful enough that the partner bestowed the dealer with its Employer of the Year award. Connecticut Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Arthritis Foundation, Junior Achievement, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Susan G. Komen, Shriners Hospitals for Children and American Forests are among the charities and organizations supported by Flo-Tech.

Image Source
San Bernardino, CA
imagesourceusa.com

Brad Craft

Year Founded: 1988
President/Owner: Brad Craft
Number of Employees: 190
Primary Vendors: Xerox, MUTOH, HP, C.P. Bourg, KIP
Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, Umango, Nuance, PaperCut, Y Soft, XMedius
Primary Leasing Partners: Xerox Financial Services, US Bank, LEAF
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $50 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: MPS
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: In addition to sustained substantial business growth, Image Source improved its warehouse operations and optimized its website.

Why We Consider Image Source Elite:

Contractual success. Image Source procured an agreement with a large school district in southern California. The deal included 1,841 A4 units, 150 A3 machines and several large print engines for the printing center.
Quality leadership. The dealer’s senior vice president provides consistent, diligent sales leadership with a focus on personal growth and development. Likewise, Image Source’s service and operations vice president gives the team dedicated focus and quality leadership to motivate technical support personnel. Image Source equips its team with the tools, training and support necessary to provide customers with the highest levels of performance possible.
Charitable endeavors. Given its strong core of clients in the space, Image Source supports its school district customers with various in-kind donations in support of their educational objectives. Among the other organizations backed by the dealer are the Special Olympics, Trinity Youth Services, the American Cancer Society and other causes.
Industry kudos. Image Source was named the Entrepreneur of the Year by its parent company, Visual Edge Technology. It was also cited by Xerox Corp. as the Largest Revenue Partner for 2017.

LDI Color ToolBox
New York, NY
www.myLDI.com

Year Founded: 1999
President/Owner: Jerry Blaine
Number of Employees: 250+
Primary Vendors: Canon, Xerox, Sharp, Toshiba, HP, Samsung, Epson, EFI, RISO
Primary Solutions Offerings: Nuance, Canon, PaperCut, nQueue, MaxxVault, EFI, FM Audit, Print Audit
Primary Leasing Partners: Canon Finance, TIAA Bank, DLL, LEAF
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $70 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: MPS, MNS, production print, Pro AV
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: LDI has expanded the product portfolio of all its major manufacturers, enabling it to provide clients the best opportunity to match component to task.

Why We Consider LDI Color ToolBox Elite:

Product fluent. Working with an independent dealer such as LDI affords customers the opportunity to tap into a wide array of products and services. The dealer is thoroughly vested in supporting every product in its portfolio.
Virtual assistance. The dealer underscored its commitment to evolving technologies by making an investment in augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Integrating the solutions of partner companies such as VNTANA enables LDI to supply its customers with forward-looking, visionary products.
Manufacturer accolades. LDI performs at a sustained, high level of excellence, as evidenced by ongoing recognition from its OEM partners. It has won the Canon Top Dollar Award for more than a decade, along with the Hyakuman Kai honor from Sharp, Toshiba’s ProMasters and Xerox’s Platinum award.
Corporate philanthropy. The dealer continues to support worthwhile causes through direct monetary contributions and in-kind donations of production print. LDI’s team members participate on the boards and committees of numerous community organizations, and have taken up the cause of mentoring and speaking on the subject of enhancing digital literacy.

Les Olson Company
South Salt Lake, UT
www.lesolson.com

Year Founded: 1956
President/Owner: Troy Olson/19 Olson family members share ownership
Number of Employees: 259
Primary Vendors: Sharp, HP, Fujitsu
Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, Drivve, Sophos, PaperCut, GoldFax, Datto
Primary Leasing Partners: REVCO (internal leasing), US Bank, Wells Fargo, GE, DLL
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $50 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Managed IT services, MPS, hardware
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Les Olson Company was named one of the Top 15 Workplaces in Utah by the Salt Lake Tribune.

Why We Consider Les Olson Company Elite:

Brand recognition. Although it operates along Utah’s Wasatch Front, Nevada and Wyoming, Les Olson Company’s level of brand recognition is on par with national organizations. Its advertising (which includes a jingle for its radio and television spots), website and marketing campaigns lift the dealer to the ranks of major performers, and the company is a household name in its geographic locations.
Community outreach. Les Olson Company believes its success should walk hand-in-hand with its support of the communities in which it does business. Utah Food Bank, Primary Children’s Hospital and the Special Olympics are just a few of the organizations to which the dealer pledges funds and volunteer hours. Members of the ownership family serve on the boards for local charities and hospitals.
Industry recognition. In addition to being one of the top workplaces in Utah, Les Olson Company has garnered the Hyakuman Kai Elite Dealer designation, along with Sharp’s AAA Platinum Services Provider award for 2018. In past years, the dealer has been named the Sophos New Partner of the Year, a DocuWare Diamond Club Partner and the Utah Food Bank Business of the Year.
Family affair. While the dealer has 17 third-generation Olson family members, it also features 22 non-Olson families with two or more relatives among its ranks, including spouses and children. Its culture of mentoring, trust, innovation, hard work and fun help cultivate the family atmosphere.

Les Olson Company’s executive team (from left): Chris Weenig, CMO/CSO; Troy Olson, president; Lisa Thaller, board chair and CFO; James Olson, CEO; and Ryan Bingham, branch operations officer

Novatech, Inc.
Nashville, TN
www.novatech.net

Darren Metz

Year Founded: 1998
President/Owner: Darren Metz
Number of Employees: 367
Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Canon, HP, Markforged, Creaform, Mimaki, MUTOH,KIP
Primary Solutions Offerings: M-Files, PaperCut, PSIGEN, ACDI, XMedius, Microsoft, Nuance
Primary Leasing Partners: Direct leasing
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $83 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: MPS, document solutions, managed IT
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The company rebranded from NovaCopy to Novatech to better reflect the company’s strategic focus of being a managed print and IT provider.

Why We Consider Novatech Elite:

Rebrand and evolution. Novatech aspires to improve the efficiency and dependability of customers’ office and IT operations. In addition to delivering exceptional managed services, the dealer will provide strategic planning and consulting to optimize the client’s technology ecosystem, including office and document solutions. Part of the focus entails building upon its efficient on-site and remote service.
Marketing automation. The recent addition of Salesforce CRM tied to marketing automation (Pardot) has enabled Novatech’s marketing and leads teams to track and react to online requests, email blasts and leads in a more-effective manner. Marketing automation allows each account rep to see the online interactions their customers have on a daily basis so they can ask the right questions and offer solutions.
Top score. One of Novatech’s biggest wins in 2018 came courtesy of a large account in the housing industry that has been in business since 1956, with customers and offices throughout the country.
Social success. Novatech has rolled out a series of videos with a comedic twist that have generated more than 500,000 views, shares and likes within a four-month period. The series has successfully connected the social world within Novatech’s markets and has produced further inquiries into business.

Novatech’s new headquarters in Nashville, TN, with two of the hottest restaurants in Nashville on the bottom floor—8th & Roast and Five Points Pizza

PERRY proTECH
Lima, OH
www.perryprotech.com

Year Founded: 1965
President/Owner: Barry Clark (CEO), Pat Summers (president)
Number of Employees: 248
Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Lexmark, RISO, KIP, Intec, HP, MBM, Cisco, Microsoft, Promethean, BenQ
Primary Solutions Offerings: Prism, PaperCut, OpenText, Nuance, School Gate Guardian, Microsoft
Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GreatAmerica, Wells Fargo
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $75 to $85 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: MPS (33%), managed IT (29%)
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: PERRY proTECH opened a new branch in Polaris (Columbus, OH).

Why We Consider PERRY proTECH Elite:

Marketing enhancements. PERRY proTECH has experienced much success using targeted email and direct mail campaigns, and its Forza platform integrates with MailChimp. This allows it to utilize its curated CRM data for campaigns in MailChimp, then immediately schedule follow-up events and record the generated activity for sales reps to better equip themselves in the field.
Industry acknowledgements. PERRY proTECH has captured a variety of awards for different aspects of its operations, including Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Service Award, Ricoh Service Excellence Award, Emerging Market Ricoh Award, Konica Minolta Top Solution Seller of the Year, Cisco Elite Status, Lexmark Premier Circle, US Bank Elite Award, GreatAmerica Prestige Dealer Award, multiple United Way awards, and Toledo Blade Top 100 Workplaces.
Key takedowns. PERRY proTECH reaped a number of significant wins in the past year, the largest being a management print agreement with a large health care provider. The dealer has raised its school system client base to 110, and has rolled out a number of enhanced security solutions to ensure safer facilities for employees, students and visitors.
Voice for employees. An employee-owned firm, PERRY proTECH implemented an ESOP Communication Committee, which gives employees a path to voice their feelings on the corporate culture. The dealer also strives to maintain healthy and happy employees through a company-sponsored employee-wellness program.

PERRY proTECH’s executive leadership (from left): Pat Summers, Barry Clark, Becky Taylor and Perry Carfagna

Prosource
Cincinnati, OH
www.totalprosource.com

Year Founded: 1985
President/Owner: Brad Cates (president and CEO), Ben Russert (owner)
Number of Employees: 210
Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Lexmark, Toshiba, HP
Primary Solutions Offerings: Hyland, Nuance, PaperCut, Kofax, OpenText, NSI
Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GE, DLL
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $51 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: MPS (35%), aftermarket supplies (20%), hardware (7%)
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Prosource measures the impact of its customer experience though the Net Promotor Score (NPS). In the past year it has maintained a score above 92 percent.

Why We Consider Prosource Elite:

Inbound marketing. The dealership launched a comprehensive strategy to build trust, reputation and authority in the office technology industry, incorporating many forms of pull marketing, including content marketing and blogging, social-media marketing, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, search-engine optimization and search-engine marketing. Since launching this strategy in early 2017, Prosource has realized a 305 percent increase in overall website traffic and was on track to grow site traffic by 21 percent in 2018.
Sporting chance. Prosource continues to leverage the relationships it has with Cincinnati and northern Kentucky-based college and professional sports teams to heighten brand awareness. These organizations include the University of Dayton, Kentucky Speedway, FC Cincinnati and the NFL’s Bengals, giving Prosource advertising visibility in the area’s most highly-attended events.
Industry recognition. Prosource has captured the Pro-Tech Award from Konica Minolta for each of the past four years. It has also garnered PROs Elite 100 certification during the same period, and was cited by imageSource Magazine in 2017 for its Outstanding Managed Services Program.
Community outreach. The dealer has a long history of supporting local organizations, with three causes in particular—St. Joseph Orphanage Christmas program, Casual for the Cause, and Adopt a Class—being deeply rooted within Prosource’s culture. During 2017, team members volunteered more than 1,500 hours of their time to 23 charities and organizations in the community.

Prosource team members enjoyed watching their Cincinnati Bengals tangle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in October

Proven IT
Tinley Park, IL
www.provenIT.com

Year Founded: 2003
President/Owner: John Cosich
Number of Employees: 224
Primary Vendors: Xerox, Toshiba, Canon
Primary Solutions Offerings: Laserfiche, PaperCut, Canon
Primary Leasing Partners: LEAF, US Bank, GE, TIAA Bank, Canon Finance
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $60 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Managed IT
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Xerox approached Proven IT to carry its suite of devices. Proven IT is now the largest independent dealer in Illinois and is a member of the Xerox Dealer Council.

Why We Consider Proven IT Elite:

Hosted events. During the course of the year, Proven IT welcomed many of its largest clients at fun and exciting venues to illustrate the latest in office-technology solutions and provide networking opportunities. Its annual Open House Technology Showcase provides clients and prospects the chance to tour the dealer’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Tinley Park, IL.
Schooling the competition. Proven IT is transforming productivity in schools. Over a quarter of Proven’s active fleet is with schools, which account for over half of the total clicks serviced by Proven’s technicians.
Corporate generosity. One cause that is near and dear to Proven IT’s heart is the Cameron Can Foundation. The foundation initially supported one of the dealer’s family members, a child with chronic hydrocephalus, and has grown to aid several children in the Chicagoland area. Tony Cosich, director of sales at Proven IT, sits on the foundation board for Sertoma Centre, and helped raise more than $100,000 for its event fundraiser in 2018. CEO John Cosich is the senior chairman for St. Colletta of Illinois, and the dealer hosts a bake sale with all proceeds benefitting the organization.
Top honors. Proven IT is a PROs Elite 100 dealer that has been named to Crain’s Chicago Business Fast 50 Growing Businesses list for four consecutive years. It was also honored by Inc. as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row. The Chicago Tribune has also named Proven IT to its Top Workplaces list in 2018, for the fourth time.

Proven IT’s Tinley Park headquarters and distribution center

Systel Business Equipment
Fayetteville, NC
www.systeloa.com

Year Founded: 1981
President/Owner: Keith Allison
Number of Employees: 250
Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Konica Minolta, HP, Panasonic, Lexmark
Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Nuance, Square 9, Prism, Objectif Line, Pharos
Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, US Bank, in-house
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $60 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Software, managed IT
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Systel restructured its leadership roles throughout the company to add a layer of regional management to provide more support to its branches. The move has provided Systel with the opportunity to take a more high-level approach to its company vision and mission.

Why We Consider Systel Business Equipment Elite:

Full coverage. Systel initiated a marketing campaign focused on its “Umbrella of Solutions.” The dealer ensures customers know that, “We’ve got you covered” with everything from MPS to data security. From an internal marketing perspective, Systel rolled out an Employee Appreciation campaign that includes daily giveaways and Notes of Appreciation from colleagues. A Gratitude Day Cookout event completed the week-long celebration of employee appreciation.
New business. Systel has enjoyed success winning several large public county school system contracts in 2018. One of the bigger coups was winning an account near its own headquarters, for which it installed more than 500 machines. Done during the summer, Systel was able to complete the installation in less than five weeks due in large part to the work of its local service departments, corporate inventory departments and technicians.
Top honors. Among the awards won locally or from manufacturers are Grant Thornton’s North Carolina Top 100 and the Ricoh Family Group’s Circle of Excellence Certified Dealership, both in 2018. Systel also garnered Konica Minolta’s Pro-Tech Service Center award in 2017, and an HP Qualified Supplies Partner and Platinum Partner.
Answering the call. During this year’s Hurricane Florence and 2016’s Hurricane Matthew, Systel did its part to assist the community. The dealer provided devices to FEMA to aid with storm recovery operations, and solicited donations to support other organizations involved with hurricane recovery such as the American Red Cross. Its other fundraising endeavors have served the Child Advocacy Center in Fayetteville, NC, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Systel Business Equipment is led by CEO Keith Allison (seated) and his three daughters (from left): Vice President Operations/General Counsel Janene Aul, Sales Support Manager/IT Special Projects Cara Spencer and Vice President Marketing/Business Development Jacqueline Smith

TGI Office Automation
Brooklyn, NY
www.tgioa.com

Year Founded: 1964
President/Owner: Frank Grasso
Number of Employees: 450
Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Ricoh, Lexmark, HP, FP Mailing
Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, PaperCut, Nuance, Square 9, Drivve, LincWare, EzeScan, Continuum, M-Files, GoldFax, Carbonite, Datto, FabSoft, Gravic, GoFormz, EFI
Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, CIT, GE, TIAA Bank, Wells Fargo
Approximate Yearly Revenue: $99 million
Fastest-Growing Business Segments: Workflow solutions
Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: TGI has made great strides with its internal re-education and training of its sales and support teams. The dealer and its vendor partners focus on training and certification programs for its staff in order to better serve customers, uncover opportunities and solve business challenges.

Why We Consider TGI Office Automation Elite:

Marketing mavens. Hosted events, ranging from educational luncheons to social sports outings, have proven extremely successful for TGI. Attending metro New York football, basketball and hockey games provides a forum for reps to get to know clients and prospects on a more personal level. The company held a TGI Day at the Races at Monmouth Race Park, which included a brief presentation on the future of information management, followed by a picnic while watching horse races.
ECM excellence. TGI has witnessed a substantial increase in ECM sales for the government, education and medical segments. These sectors typically have complicated manual processes with heavy loads of paper and electronic files. The dealer attacks this need from a departmental perspective, as about 70 percent of ECM implementations start in either the accounts payable or human resources departments.
Case studies. The dealer has focused much attention on producing case studies that touched on specific verticals and the challenges they face. These studies are tied into how TGI utilized various creative solutions to improve each of the profiled studies.
Community outreach. TGI allocates up to $500,000 a year to donate to various causes, particularly those championed by its client base—it supports golf tournaments, galas and races/walks, with the company’s employees, friends and family providing their time to these efforts. TGI helped raise more than $140,000 for Palm Beach State College’s “Swing for Student Success” golf tournament, which funds STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) scholarships. The dealer also participates in an annual Marine Toys for Tots Holiday Drive.