ICS is putting ‘big emphasis’ on growing its Syracuse business ENDICOTT — An Endicott–based information-technology firm that broke into the Syracuse market three years ago expanded its workforce in 2012 and expects more growth ahead in 2013. ICS Solutions Group added nine people to its staff last year and already hired three more […]
ICS is putting ‘big emphasis’ on growing its Syracuse business
ENDICOTT — An Endicott–based information-technology firm that broke into the Syracuse market three years ago expanded its workforce in 2012 and expects more growth ahead in 2013.
ICS Solutions Group added nine people to its staff last year and already hired three more this year, says Travis Hayes, chief technology officer. The firm now employs 45 people.
The company’s client base includes businesses with as few as five and as many as several hundred users. The IT business works frequently with convenience stores, dental offices, and more, Hayes says.
ICS Solutions President Kevin Blake bought out ICS’ former president in 2005 and began growing the company, according to ICS. When he took over, the firm had just five employees. ICS launched in 1986.
Hayes says ICS’ recent growth has been driven in part by a focus on building out its sales team and process. Some of the hiring in recent years has involved the firm’s sales team, he says.
The new sales staff members have generated more projects and new customers and so the company has had to add technical employees as well, Hayes says.
New business has also resulted from ICS’ telephony business, Hayes says. Company leaders see a major opportunity for that work, he adds, and in the firm’s business selling and repairing printers and copiers.
In addition to adding sales and technical staff, ICS has been adding employees for a new help-desk service at its office in Endicott. Customers can reach the firm and make service requests a number of different ways, but many clients want a personal touch and immediate response, Hayes notes.
Help-desk staff members spend some time trying to resolve customers’ problems, but if they can’t take care of the issue right away, they send it up to a more senior-level technician, Hayes says.
ICS entered the Syracuse market three years ago when it acquired MicroTECH Computer Center.
“We’re putting a big emphasis on trying to grow our Syracuse location,” Hayes says. “We’re just starting to scratch the surface of what’s there.”
The Syracuse office employs 10 people now and one of the company’s most recent new hires was for that location, he adds. The market is home to more people and businesses than the Binghamton area, Hayes notes.
“There’s just a lot more opportunity in the Syracuse market that we’re not touching yet,” he says. “And not just in Syracuse, but the surrounding communities.”
The Syracuse location allows ICS to pursue work in Oswego, Auburn, and Utica, Hayes says. In fact, ICS is looking to open addition satellite locations.
Oneonta, Elmira, and Utica are all potential locations for a third office, Hayes says. The company could look to add that site in 2013, but the fit would have to be right.
“We don’t want to rush it just to make it happen,” he says.
In addition to upstate New York, ICS also has customers in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com