DataServ Corporation

 
In 1982, Bergan Mercy Hospital of Omaha, NE released it's IT department to the public arena to be acquired and named MEData Inc. Throughout the 80's, MEData Inc. established itself as a premiere systems integrator and service organization. In 1988, MEData Inc. acquired MAHANZ Inc., a national supplier of computer system supplies. In 1994 MEData Inc. merged with a small local systems integrator to expand it's field of service. In 1996, DataServ Corporation was formed after a massive organizational restructuring, to provide the Midwest with premium systems integration, service, and sales of computer systems, bar coding technology, network administration, systems engineering, consulting services, and IT staffing.

 

Today, DataServ Corporation is lead by CEO Mary Lou Zdan, (former owner of MAHANZ Inc.). The DataServ Service organization is directed by service veteran Henry (Hank) W. Zdan Jr., offering contract solutions for small, medium, and enterprise businesses. DataServ's support staff of programmers, training staff, network engineers & administrators, computer systems technicians, are CompTIA A+ certified, degreed at educational institutions, and well trained in today's service standards.

 

DataServ Corporation is located throughout the Midwest with many remote sites dispatched through the home office in Omaha, NE. DataServ's Service range reaches as far south as Kansas City, Sioux Falls to the North, Norfolk to the West, Des Moines to the East. As DataServ Corporation continues to expand it's companies base, the focus behind the company will always remain the same: Provide excellence, honesty, and class to all of its information technology services.

 

Chronology of DataServ Corporation, Est. 1997

 

Founded on the ideals of friendship and honor, DataServ Corporation has established itself as a model in defining the morals and accolades of American business. In a business world often motivated by greed and conquests, a small family of workers helped to develop and organize a trade focused on customer satisfaction and steadfast service. The chronicle of DataServ Corporation serves as an inspirational message on the interchangeability of the employee and customer relationship.

 

The evolution of DataServ Corporation, originally tagged MEData, Inc., occurred in 1982 when a major Omaha hospital system chose to divest an information technology (IT) business unit. MEData, Inc., specializing in computer systems and medical billing services, parted from the hospital, and was sold to two management employees. The enthusiastic MEData Inc. entered the open IT market by developing a substantial customer base and a solid service department. Within a year of MEData's entrance, a key partner retired and the remaining shares were sold to Henry W. Zdan Jr., a respected service manager of a regional service company. Zdan's position at MEData played a key role in developing a regional legacy of unsurpassed customer service and an unparalleled service department; leading the company to over 2.2 million in annual sales.

 

The hope of a successful company soon developed into a reality as MEData grew into a regional leader of IT services; the expansion into computer system supplies, network integration, vertical market applications, national warranty service, consulting, and service contracts vaulted MEData to the top of the IT arena. For a decade, Zdan and his associate stood behind the ideals and practices developed to introduce MEData as a business partner to its customers. MEData's philosophy in the importance of every customer and power of customer satisfaction still continues today.

 

During the early 90's, Zdan became the sole owner of MEData Inc., and continued to build a service department focused on customer satisfaction. With the growth of IT services and products in the U.S., market competition increased and margins declined, pressuring MEData to intensify marketing and research. In an attempt to improve company size and direction, Zdan merged MEData, an established regional service organization, with a local systems integrator; a firm equal in size and focused on marketing and sales. The merger created a company with 5.5 million in annual combined sales.

 

MEData's merger proved to be a lethal decision. After a period of time, discrepancies appeared in the business practices and management philosophies of the two partners. As the union continued for the next 18 months, the company was subjected to extensive employee and customer loss, differences between business partners, and a loss of corporate vision; resulting in a 63% loss of total annual sales. In 1997, the two companies split, leaving MEData with less than half of its original employees and a depleted customer base. Service contracts formed under the merged companies now became the responsibility of Zdan and MEData; an unformed company with a commitment to its customers. Zdan and his wife, Mary Lou, liquidated their savings, borrowed against their home and retirement plan, and vowed to provide for their faithful employees and customers. In February of 1997, DataServ Corporation was formed with the MEData staff, Henry W. Zdan as President, and Mary Lou Zdan as the sole owner.

 

The first year under DataServ Corporation was difficult and a personal sacrifice for the Zdan's and all of the employees. Reestablishing customer relationships during this negative transition took patience and extraordinary effort by the DataServ staff and administration. DataServ honored contracts signed and paid for under the merged company, forcing the new company to operate under a negative cash flow. For the first several months, dedicated employees worked long into the weekends in an attempt to smooth the transition into the new business and location. Henry and Mary Lou found themselves working long and difficult hours, in addition, their son returned home from college to assist in restarting the family business. The essence of the ordeal helped to illustrate the power of loyal employees; proving a company can operate in a family environment to overcome remarkable obstacles.

 

The birth of DataServ Corporation began a cycle of friendship and trust between the administration, employees, and customers. Under such a negative, uncertain future, employee faith prevailed, subjecting the company to only one service employee loss in three years. Zdan attributes this to communication, honesty, and a promise of things to come. During the separation, Zdan refused to let rumors grow, holding frequent employee meetings and promising 10% profit sharing to each employee that stayed with the company. Every decision of the new company was shared and open for discussion with every employee, from the name of the new company to the color of the carpet. The first year of business brought about an enriched 401k plan, a stable healthcare program, and numerous employee benefits; the first being a commitment to work in a warm and respectful family environment.

 

Within the first year, DataServ stabilized and continued uninterrupted service to all of its customers, showing a client contract renewal rate of 98%. The company has seen tremendous growth beyond the first year. In 1998, the business grew by 21% followed by a third year jump of 27% in revenue. Projections for the forcomig years show a staff twice the size of the original, additional products and services, and an increase in technology partnerships. During this growth, DataServ Corporation began to reestablish itself as a leader, bringing unsurpassed customer service and an unparalleled service department to the region.

 

Decorated relationships with the Better Business Bureau, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and the Computer Technology Industry Association have restored honor to the Zdan business foundation. As DataServ's success continues, so will that of its customer and employees, exhibiting the interchangeability of the employee and customer relationship; a relationship defined by trust, reward, and respect.