Adcom Worldwide offers specialized cargo transportation and distribution services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to customers around the world. Their business model involves a broad range of independent, licensed agents who are committed to on-time delivery. Working with this agent network, Adcom finds the best carrier for the best price to meet their customers’ freight needs. Adcom was founded in 1978 in Minneapolis, MN and has grown to 30 regional offices located across the continent.

 

Throughout the company’s history, Adcom has found it difficult to keep up with ever-changing information technology. First, they invested heavily in a pre-packaged hardware/software solution. Soon, they learned that they needed an in-house programmer to manage their software. Then the Internet came along and created new security risks and problems like viruses and spam. They had to hire an additional programmer to cope with their growing needs. Owning and operating an in-house system that required custom programming was very expensive and frustrating. They began looking for a better way to manage their use of information technology.

 

Adcom’s management team decided to investigate the alternative of outsourcing to an Application Service Provider (ASP). They believed that an ASP could not just eliminate capital equipment purchases and increase security and uptime; but, an ASP could also greatly reduce their dependence on their in-house IT staff – all without increasing costs. It was this combination of increasing network dependability and gaining access to a team of competent and advanced IT professionals that convinced them to use an ASP.

 

After temporarily using an out-of-state ASP, Bill Hafdal, Solbrekk Vice President of Business Development and a long-time trusted advisor to Adcom, recommended switching to Netgain Technology because he had firsthand experience with Netgain. Bill new that Netgain was committed to providing the finest customer service, and unlike most other ASPs, they had their own state-of-the-art hosting center, Adcom made the switch in November 2005.

 

Bob Friedman, CEO, says “All of our expectations have been met and exceeded with Solbrekk and Netgain. From day one, their staff has quickly solved problems and any kinks have been worked out smoothly and easily.” Bob went on to say “Our business is 24/7 and every shipment is crucial. There’s now more data protection and network reliability. Netgain is more up to speed than we could ever possibly be.”

 

Today, Bob is comforted knowing that he has found a trusted source for his technology needs, a key element in the success of his nationwide business. He appreciates the ease and speed in which things are handled. He said “In our old world, it could take up to five days to bring a regional office online. Now it happens with the push of a few buttons.”

 

Bob feels there are many benefits of using Netgain’s service. New technology means Bob and his staff no longer have the headaches of trying to stay current on technology trends. They can concentrate on watching the trends in their own transportation industry. Reliable computing assures information is much more available across all of the regional offices. Adcom employees can serve their customers more quickly and easily. Bob believes this increases customer loyalty. Access to Netgain’s knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful staff means Adcom employees don’t fumble through their own technical problems. They can simply call Netgain to get their questions answered quickly.

 

As Bob looks to the future, he believes there will be additional monetary savings. Adcom is converting to CargoWise, a freight forwarding software for air and ocean operations. There are plans to add a customer relationship management (CRM) program as well. “With Solbrekk and Netgain, these types of conversions will be much easier than they have been in the past.” said Bob. “I expect hard cost savings and the reduction in hassle and staff time will be priceless.”