Present Blog – IT Thought Leadership

35 years and still burning brightIn November 1990, in the midst of a recession with interest rates at 15% and unemployment at 10%, a young entrepreneur in his twenties made a bold decision: to start a company that would put clients first. That vision gave birth to Present, a name chosen to reflect a simple yet powerful mission, to be there for our clients.

 

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leadership

Back then, there was no Internet, no LinkedIn. Prospects were found in the Yellow Pages, and deals were sealed with determination and a handshake. Our first breakthrough came from a simple observation: businesses needed faster access to their sales data. We developed one of the first point-of-sale solutions, transforming how retailers managed inventory and sales. T
hat innovation set the tone for everything that followed.

 

35 Years of Transformation: From PCs to the Cloud and Beyond

When Present was founded in 1990, technology looked very different. Businesses relied on standalone PCs, floppy disks, and fax machines. The Internet was still a novelty, and mobile phones were rare. Over the past three and a half decades, we’ve not only kept pace with technological evolution — we’ve been at the forefront of helping our clients adapt to change and thrive in every new era. Here’s a look at the journey:

1990s: The PC Revolution and Networking

  • We started by helping businesses move from isolated computers to connected networks.
  • Shared files and printers replaced diskettes, making collaboration easier and faster.
  • Email became the new standard for communication, and Present deployed thousands of email systems for clients.

Mid-1990s: Y2K Readiness

  • The turn of the millennium brought the Y2K challenge. Present transformed over 100 ERP systems to ensure business continuity.
  • We supported companies in modernizing their infrastructure and preparing for a digital-first world.

Mid-2000s: Virtualization and Resource Optimization

  • Virtualization changed everything. We helped clients consolidate servers, optimize storage, and reduce costs while improving performance.
  • This era marked the beginning of scalable IT environments.

Early 2010s: The Cloud Era

  • Cloud computing became the backbone of modern business. Present guided organizations through migrations, enabling flexibility and resilience.
  • Collaboration tools like Microsoft 365 transformed how teams worked, and we ensured seamless adoption.

2020s: Cybersecurity and Managed Services

  • With remote work and digital transformation accelerating due to the pandemic, cybersecurity became critical.
  • Present introduced advanced managed services and achieved SOC2 Type 2 compliance, reinforcing trust and security for our clients.
  • Today, we deliver end-to-end solutions: cloud, security, collaboration, and managed IT services.

Through every shift, our mission remained the same: anticipate change, adapt quickly, and make technology work for our clients.

 

The Secret Behind Our Longevity

Statistics show that:

  • 70% of businesses fail within 5 years
  • 90% within 10 years
  • 99.5% never reach 35 years

So how did we beat the odds?

  • A culture built on passion and service
  • Financial discipline during tough times (we’ve been through 11 recessions, 3 major economic crises, including 1 global pandemic)
  • The ability to attract and retain top talent
  • Relentless adaptability to technology

Most importantly, we’ve kept the flame alive; the passion to serve and make a difference.

 

Impact beyond Technology

Present has been there for our clients during pivotal moments: opening new offices, expanding into new markets, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and enabling remote work during the pandemic. Every milestone reinforces our commitment to being more than a technology provider , we are a trusted partner.

 

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 35 years, we’re not just looking back with pride; we’re looking forward with excitement. The next chapter will bring new challenges and opportunities, and we’re ready to continue innovating, adapting, and serving with the same dedication that started it all.

Thank you to our clients, partners, and team members who have made this journey possible. Here’s to the next 35 years!