Letter on the Third — May, 2018
Dear Datamax Family,
In 1983, I was working at Datamax in St. Louis. That year, the first “cellular mobile phone” was introduced by Motorola, measuring more than a foot long and weighing more than two pounds. Apple released its first personal computer, named Lisa, the first of its kind to feature a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The retail price for Lisa was $9,995.
In the copier business, meanwhile, all sales reps were driving vans or station wagons, loading equipment in the back of them every day to bring to prospects for demos. It didn’t matter if it was raining, sleeting, or 103 degrees outside. Datamax was still selling roughly $1 million in typewriters. And fax machines were a relatively unheard of piece of technology (though that would quickly change).
I don’t have to tell you… technology has changed tremendously in the last 35 years.
Our products and services at Datamax have evolved steadily – and often rapidly – over the years to remain in front of these changes. At the same time, we’ve held firm in our formula with customers: “to provide rapid response to needs, resourceful resolution to issues and real (maximized) return on every technology investment. (from the Little Blue Book).” That, as much as anything else, is what we are celebrating this year with Datamax Arkansas’ 35th Anniversary. A philosophy that stands the test of time.
On May 10, our Little Rock office will host an Open House Event open to customers, community members and organizations we’ve partnered with in one way or another over the past 35 years. I look forward to this as an opportunity to express our gratitude to all we’ve been fortunate enough to serve, but also celebrate Datamax and the many employees who continue to Create Raving Fans, and who have helped develop this company into an organization we should all feel honored to be a part of.
In this month’s Rave Review, you’ll find a feature on DatamaxCares. I encourage everyone who hasn’t already to read up on and engage yourself with this component of Datamax, which routinely gives back (not just money, but time) to the communities in which we all work and live. Personally, I have wonderful memories of so many events and organizations (to name just a few): chairing the River Fest here in Little Rock, serving as board chairman with CARTI (Central Arkansas Radiation Technology Institute), working closely with the Centers for Youth and Families, and volunteering for countless organizations that weren’t necessarily in the public spotlight. I believe that by involving yourself with DatamaxCares, you’ll come away with just as many rewards and blessings as those you are serving.
It was a busy April at Datamax: Two Lunch & Learns in Arkansas. One in Coppell. Meanwhile, our new family members in East Texas are embracing the Datamax Way and proving to be an invaluable part of the organization. We finished the first quarter very strong, so I’d like to personally thank each one of you for that.
While we have a lot to celebrate, we must remain green and growing. I urge you to keep that firm Datamax philosophy in mind as you’re communicating with customers this month. Trust that, no matter where technology takes us in the next 35 years, it’s one that will endure the test of time.
Your Raving Fan,
