Five Questions With: Michael Davis

ACCORDING TO UNICOM PRESIDENT MICHAEL DAVIS, the company has gone from a computer products seller to more of a services firm. /
ACCORDING TO UNICOM PRESIDENT MICHAEL DAVIS, the company has gone from a computer products seller to more of a services firm. /

UNICOM Technology Group Inc. is a Woonsocket-based information technology-services firm that provides technology consultation to organizations throughout New England. Last week, the company joined in announcing its acquisition by Long Island-based Custom Computer Specialists Inc. of Hauppauge, N.Y. (READ MORE)
Michael Davis has been the president and CEO of UNICOM since 2004. Before that, he was the company’s vice president of sales and marketing. He is also a director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) and a member of Microsoft’s Worldwide Infrastructure Partner Advisory Council.
He spoke with PBN last week about what the merger means for UNICOM and what the future holds for IT in Rhode Island.

PBN: What led Custom Computer Specialists to buy UNICOM?
DAVIS: Firms like Custom and UNICOM are all about bringing capability to the client. Both firms have been making similar, parallel investments – in training our people, learning new technology and developing leaders. By joining forces we can share resources and get results more quickly. On an operational level, UNICOM is already seeing the benefits to its clients. Custom is building a platform to grow our business here in New England and, by combining, create a strong, Northeast regional firm.

PBN: How did the acquisition come about?
DAVIS: UNICOM and Custom have known each other for 20 years. We serve common markets and have supported each other on multiple client engagements. We have compatible cultures and a mutual trust and respect for each other. It turns out we’d both had the idea for quite some time. Last year I brought it up. As we discussed it, it became clear this was right competitive move for us. IT services firms today are faced with a choice between narrowing their focus or growing to offer a broad set of capabilities. We believe there is significant opportunity to offer our clients a full services portfolio combined with resource depth and flexibility. To do this, we had to grow.

PBN: In August, UNICOM is relocating from Woonsocket to Lincoln. What’s the reason for the move?
DAVIS: As our business evolved the needs of our company changed. We used to sell high volumes of computer products. As we became more of a services firm, we no longer needed the warehouse space we currently have. Our team is out working shoulder-to-shoulder with clients. This building turned out to be attractive to others. Selling it was a great way to monetize an asset for the good of the firm. After our own search, and with help from the R.I. Economic Development Corporation, we found great space in Lincoln. Staying in the northwest corner of the state was important to us to best serve our clients and employees throughout New England.

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PBN: Do you expect UNICOM to keep its headquarters in Rhode Island?
DAVIS: Our clients and team cover a large geographic area – as far north as Portland, Maine, and as far south as Philadelphia, Pa. Over the last eight years, after moving from Providence, the Lincoln/Woonsocket region has proven to be a nice fit for attracting IT talent and reaching our client base. We engaged five of our team leaders in our search for new space. An obvious priority was to find an agreeable location with respect to commuting, for our existing staff and for future hires. As part of a growing firm now, we are looking to establish competency centers here based on client needs and the talent and expertise we have on our team. We are happy here in Rhode Island.

PBN: What do you think are the long-term prospects for the IT industry in this state?
DAVIS: I believe IT businesses operating out of Rhode Island will thrive. We can work from anywhere and serve almost anyone – locally, regionally and nationally. In the services segment of the industry, competition is intense. This is a good thing. We are all maturing and getting better at what we do.

More information about UNICOM can be found online at www.unicom-inc.com.

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