Software Solutions-Business

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Description

Software Solutions for Business, Incorporated started in 1989 as a custom programming and service company in downtown Cumberland. At that time, SSB sold computer hardware principally to host their special-purpose business software. Meanwhile, new local companies sprang up to meet the growing demand for desktop computing hardware: PC's and Apple Computers. From the late 1980's until the mid 1990's, PC-based computers were very expensive and carried a high profit margin for the retailer. As hardware prices dropped and more "out of the box" business software became available in the mid to late 1990's, SSB emphasized more sales and service of hardware, and developed an expertise in network installations and operating systems. Many other resellers experienced a serious down-turn in business because they could not profitably sell against mail-order companies and super-stores. SSB, however, had not relied heavily on hardware as the major contributor to its profitability, and was therefore able to compete successfully in volume sales of hardware at a low margin. In 1997, the company purchased a building in Pinto, MD, to accommodate larger inventory, expanded technical services and additional employees to handle the rapidly increasing customer base. After the move to the new location, SSB used its historical expertise in business and institutional automation, and a growing volume of purchases from major manufacturers and distributors, to aggressively seek new business from governmental and corporate accounts. The company won major government bids and was able to show large corporate customers the ideal combination of low equipment costs plus local service and support -advantages that neither direct sellers nor local retailers with high overhead costs could match. In a few short years, annual revenues surged above the million dollar mark. In late 1998, a distributor of consumer information "touch" systems asked SSB to propose a hardware package and companion support program for their in-store natural health information systems located in retail stores across the country. The SSB system was an instant success, and SSB was soon shipping out nearly a thousand kiosk systems a year. SSB has also migrated the kiosk technology to other applications, including a "hardened" system used in correctional facilities to administer inmate activities. The new Pinto location was entirely too small to support the growing business, so SSB came back to downtown Cumberland to find a production facility for the kiosks and office space for corporate management. Later, a fourth location was added subsequent to the merger with CSE, a former competitor located in Frostburg, MD. In October, 2000, SSB moved all locations into a single facility at 662 Greene St., in Cumberland, site of the former Superfresh market (now occupied by Dollar General). SSB operates more efficiently than ever because of the reduction in expense occasioned by this move as well as the greater efficiencies made possible by having all employees at one, central location. Special Capabilities: SSB has always focused on business and governmental customers as its primary markets.

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