Personal touch key to success

BUSINESS: WAY back in 1979, when computing was still in its infancy, two men started a business in Oldham which has not only stood the test of time, but evolved, thrived and grown into a real success story.

Professional Computer Services Ltd started life in cramped offices over a shop in Yorkshire Street, set up by Ted Lewis and Bryn Jones.

Thirty one years on, as the business celebrates a real milestone, there remains a family connection through Garry Lewis, son of founder Ted, one of two directors who started PCS to support the IT requirements of the Oldham and Huddersfield region, primarily focusing on the textile industry.

The first client was Tanner Brothers (Greenfield), which ordered one Commodore Pet personal computer.

Today PCS, still in Yorkshire Street but now in its own three-storey, double-fronted premises, is run by a team of highly-qualified, long-standing IT specialists providing a one-stop IT service delivering hardware and software solutions to a wide range of industries, locally and nationwide, including the Ministry of Defence.

Garry (42), from Springhead, maintains the family link and his co-director is Paul Keane (59), from Whitefield, who joined within six months of the founders setting up.

The team is completed by Mark Slater (42), from Altrincham, who looks after sales and is also involved in IT support, workshop manager Steven Tuson, from Moorside, engineer Duwain Chase, from Springhead, graphic designer Julie Lewis, from Springhead, and programmer and payroll support leader John Smith, from Royton.

Over the years, PCS has helped more than 250 companies, commercial organisations and associations become more efficient and effective through various aspects of computerisation.

“Our success is evident by the fact that more than 90 per cent of new customers are a direct result of referrals from satisfied clients,” said Garry.

Paul believes that the key factor contributing to PCS’s ongoing success is that the team builds strong, professional and trustworthy relationships with clients, adding: “We ensure that their needs are understood and met by delivering bespoke IT solutions.”

In order to achieve a one-stop solution for computer and software requirements, PCS builds, where required, its own workstations and servers, and directly installs networking.

Additionally, PCS installs proactive remote monitoring and support systems and aims to resolve most IT problems within 15 minutes, on average, without the requirement for a site visit.

The team works hard securing new clients and has just taken on Harvey’s Workwear, in Oldham, creating a bespoke production control software system supported by payroll services and a new website.

PCS is looking forward its next 30 years of business…and, for those of you wondering, Tanner Bros is still a customer.