"Effective and efficient communication is the key to every business success."
Tom McConville, Managing Director MicrocomsTML

Microcoms was founded in mid 1996, as the telecommunication wing of Microcare (NI) Ltd. Microcoms bought the customer and maintenance base from Microcare in April 1999 and became Microcoms Telephone Management Ltd in September 1999. The genesis of MicrocomsTML can be traced to the government deregulation of telephone maintenance.

From the outset it was decided that the company strategy would be to distribute and maintain the Crane range of GDK Telephone systems and Panasonic Telephone systems.

The GDK range is designed and manufactured by one of the world's largest electronic organisations, LG Electronics. Operating in over 120 countries, the LG Corporation has annual sales revenue of £80 billion and a 7% share of the world market.

The decision for Microcoms to lead with the GDK range were

• The systems leading edge technology.
• The ability of the system to be tailored to individual needs.
•  High quality national service and support coverage
• Commonly charged extras on competition products are standard on the GDK

Initially the company installed and maintained the LG GDK34, GDK 70/100 and GDK 186. Since then the company has taken on-board the GDK 16 range of smaller telephone switches , Active Voice voicemail, the Lucent range of VOIP switches and PBX's, and Tanberg Worldwide Video Conferencing. In addition, accounts have also been set up with Telecoms distributors such as ROCOM (fax machines, TAMs etc) and Landis and Gyr (Payphones) to ensure that the company can provide a total Telecoms package to the customer.

Developments
From early 2000 Microcoms took on board the Network Alchemy system. The Network Alchemy, manufactured by Lucent Technologies, is a modern Digital PBX system, which provides the end user with a customised system with total call management and call centre service. The Network Alchemy is designed for with small and medium sized businesses in mind. This system will be ideal for Northern Ireland, when considering that local business is dominated by small and mid sized businesses.

Microcoms TML secured the full backing of LEDU to market this product throughout N.I. and it is our stated ambition to be the leading Independent CRM (Customer Relationship Management) within Ireland.

Strategy
The key to Microcom's success has been to listen to the customer, and to carefully scrutinise their existing telecommunication provisions. As a consequence of this on-site consultancy we should be able to offer the customer cost savings by either updating equipment, or to recommend a tailored solution incorporating GDK switches and alternative call carriers (which can save up to 30% on bills).

By the end of Year 1 Microcoms had exceeded all expectations

In Year 1 Microcoms has built up an impressive customer base, representing a wide cross section of local businesses. Major clients include: -

• Oaklee Housing Association
• Madden and Finucane
• Courtaulds Textiles Holdings Ltd
• Larsens Building Products
• Hotels (e.g. Corr's Corner)

By the end of Year 2 Microcoms has consolidated the successes of Year 1 and has expanded its customer base to include; -

• Absec Ltd
• EM SOLUTIONS
• MCS
• The Seagoe Hotel
• DDL Electronics

By the end of year 3 Microcoms had become autonomous, and had installed two networked Prologix systems and had grown to a staff of 9 (including Data engineers)

New high profile customers include: -
        Menary Travel
        Madden & Finucane - Derry, Belfast and Downpatrick satellite offices linked for voice and data

In year 4 we moved to new larger premises and secured the dealership for the Network Alchemy range of products.
New high profile customers include:-

• PDE CAD Design in Antrim
• CCC Technology - 120 user Network Alchemy with full CTI working

The Staff
At present MicrocomsTML have a workforce of nine, which will expand to ten by late 2001.

The Managing Director of MicrocomsTML is Tom McConville. After initially pursuing a career in engineering, Tom has spent the last two decades building up a wealth of experience and contacts in the local Northern Ireland market place. For the past ten years Tom has been involved with Telecommunications, working in a variety of companies until 1996, Tom set up his own company to put into reality his ideas of were he perceived the Telecommunication industry was going.

Although Tom is the Managing Director of the company, he takes a hand's on approach in sales. Indeed during the first year of trading the vast majority of MicrocomsTML sales came from his work.

Barry Murphy
Barry joined the company in 2000 pursued a BA/BA Honours degree in Commerce at University in Edinburgh. He then joined the Telecommunications Industry in Edinburgh within a direct sales capacity and later with BT (NI). His main objective is to actively promote MicrocomsTML, and our products within N.I.

Robbie McLearnon
Robbie joined the Company in 2001 as part of the LEDU backed expansion programme. Robbie worked for BT (NI) as a Win back representative before joining Microcoms TML. Robbie is tasked with Territory management within the east of the province.

Noeleen Molloy
Noeleen also joined as part of the LEDU sponsored expansion programme and comes from a software background having worked as a Field Sales Representative for a Multi-National Call Management Software Company. Noeleen will manage the West of the province and the Border counties.

Operations
Claira Hamilton heads the Operations department, with state of the art software which allows us to log every component part of every switch, and response times to every call. Aided by Charlie Gates, our Technical Director, Claira is responsible for Customer liaison for installations and maintenance. Claira has over 5 years experience in this position.

Telecoms Engineering
Charlie Gates is our Technical Director in charge of all aspects of engineering and maintenance. With over 30 years experience in BT at T3 level and five in local industry, Charlie brings a wealth of experience in both standard PBX and Networked PBX solutions. Since joining Charlie has received accreditation in all LG products, Active Voice voicemail and recently Lucent Definity and Network Alchemy installation and maintenance.

David Thomas is responsible for LG and active voice installations and is also accredited in both the TABS and Smartcharge call management software installations. David is a Member of the Institute of Incorporated Engineers in Electronic, Mechanical and Electronic Engineers and is registered with the Engineering Council. He is also a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and is certified in Health and Safety management and as such is responsible for Health and Safety within the Company.

Peter McAllister is responsible for installation and maintenance of the LG and Active voice products. Peter spent 12 years with BT as an installation and cabling engineer and is accredited to maintain and install the BT range of Modular Meridian.

Tom McConville is also accredited to install and maintain the LG range of products and Active Voice voicemail solutions, and has recently been accredited to install and maintain the Network Alchemy Range.

Administration
Joanne McKee heads Administration. With 10 years experience in business Mrs McKee is in charge of accounts, sales order processing. Mrs McKee is also in charge of Personnel Issues and recruitment having studied Human Resources as part of her Degree course.