(CRM Application Administrator, Dallas/Fort Worth Office)  Roy Faries says he gets “jazzed up” any time he knows people are using his software. Hopefully, their jobs are more efficient, easier to perform because of his skills and behind the scenes programming excellence.

As he celebrates his 20 year anniversary with Datamax this month, make no mistake: Roy Faries is a virtual virtuoso, a maestro of data and application management.

And we are all benefactors of his carefully crafted, beautiful orchestrations.

What led me to Datamax?

I was a part-time consultant from 1992 until 1999, writing a custom application for Customer Relationship Management (CRM).  Due to the rapid growth of Datamax during those early years, Datamax decided to move to a different software platform (Windows and Pivotal) and needed someone full-time to manage and write the software.

Early on, they needed me a few hours a week. Then it was, Roy can you give us 8 hours? 12 hours? January 18, 1999 was my official start date on the payroll. It was the best decision I ever made.

I was surprised by the incredible growth within the organization. I got connected with Datamax after only a year in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  At that time, they had only a few employees, and only one computer, an HP Pavillion Unix server, running a bullpen of 16 dumb terminals.  In just a few years, Datamax grew to over 120 employees, and became a force in the area.  We are now in our 3^rd location since I’ve been here, and still growing.

My experiences at Datamax:

At first, Datamax was just one of my many customers. It didn’t take long to realize they were something special.

What Datamax had to offer was not only a full-time job, but a steady paycheck, the ability to save for retirement, and medical benefits: all of which were non-existent for me at the time.  In a way, I feel like Datamax rescued me from the hectic life I was living, and provided me with a steady path, both present and future.  For that, I will always be grateful.

One of my proudest achievements has been working with Robert Caldwell to develop the Datamax Competitive Advantage Database (DCAD). I would get everything functional, and then we would sit in his office for a couple of days and make it even better. With his attention to detail, we’re able to look at a project once it’s completed and really appreciate what we've accomplished.

What makes me want to stay at Datamax?

I get a sense of pride knowing that the tools I create are being used daily to help in that growth, and to benefit everyone at Datamax. A sculptor creates statues, an artist creates paintings, and I create tools using my software development skills.  And I’m very proud of my creations.