| Marco – Fargo, ND
Marco helps organizations manage information by applying network expertise to voice, data, video and print solutions. Marco specializes in data networking and security, converged voice applications, print and document management, managed services, audio/video systems, digital signage and video surveillance solutions.
Future opportunities for Marco and the IT industry in the state:
Managed Services
Marco has identified managed services as a key strategic initiative in its business plan and has dedicated time, resources and attention to growing this particular area. The result is that managed services now represent the largest area of growth in the company. Recurring revenue, in the form of managed services and maintenance agreements, accounts for more than half of the company's sales.
Going Deeper and Wider After Acquisition
Marco has acquired a series of small copier businesses over the past few years. While Marco knew there was opportunity to increase the copier sales at those companies, it has not been the only focus. Each of those companies has been strategically repositioned in each of those markets as full-service technology providers. That means a customer that once relied on Marco for a copier now also may receive an assortment of voice, data and video services as well. It is the goal to bring new innovative services to those markets by providing customers a series of integrated solutions. This is done by leveraging the longstanding relationships with customers in those markets to sell both deeper and wider, and it’s driving significant growth, especially in the Fargo market.
Current challenges facing Marco and the IT industry in the state: As mobile computing devices continue to gain acceptance, they are challenging internal IS departments with security and integration for these devices.
Traveling and connectivity between the offices has been the biggest challenge at Marco. As the company has have grown, it has become increasingly difficult to know every employee at every location and stay connected. At the end of last year, a significant investment was made in a video conferencing system that is making it easier for employees at remote locations to connect with each other “face-to-face” on a more regular basis. Telepresence for business is becoming accepted because most devices now include cameras and the bandwidth is there to support it.
Marco implemented varying levels of the technology to allow every location to receive the access they needed, based on their size, location and usage. The CEO's office was also equipped with the technology so he can speak to employees in a conference room at one of our branch offices - and even connect to multiple locations at once. While it is premature to tie actual numbers to the implementation of the technology, results are being seen in these areas: reduced fuel costs and mileage reimbursements; fewer hotel stays (and related meal expenses); increased productivity, particularly for our leadership team, due to reduced travel time; and more collaborative meetings between offices.
Learn more about Marco here or by contacting Fritz Wensel at 701-282-8195.
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