Beacon Solutions was formed by the merger of four
independently successful companies in the IT and Telecom
service sectors. These organizations came together to create
a unique, fully integrated, single source IT/Telecom company.
Today, Beacon Solutions is a leading provider of technology and
telecommunications services, from software development and
infrastructure design to interconnect voice/data and systems
integration.
For over 30 years, our team has enabled companies in a variety
of industries to dramatically reduce costs, improve product
quality, and enhance overall corporate performance. We offer
complete, integrated solutions to our clients that leverage
best-in-class products and services to inspire confidence in a
connected world.
Today more than 4,000 companies, from small businesses to
Fortune 500 firms, have chosen Beacon, including:
Merck & Co., UPS, Volvo, Gap Inc., Papa John's,
Nationwide, Mack Trucks, and LensCrafters.
Beacon's end-to-end, industry-specific solutions drive increased
efficiency, build competitive advantage, and help companies
become more innovative.
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Beacon maintains offices
in Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Mangalore, India and services
clients globally.
Solutions
Software Planning, Development and
Implementation
Beacon’s software development process supports
customers from planning through implementation and
maintenance. Beacon’s Application Professionals are
trained in tools from Microsoft, Oracle, Sun’s Java
Web Certified Development, and Enterprise Software
Installation, Integration and Upgrades.
Infrastructure Design, Implementation and
Support
Beacon delivers comprehensive infrastructure
services based on our customers’ diverse needs
and environments. We offer a wide variety of
solutions, including Hosted VoIP, VoIP Origination
and Termination, Internet Access and Private Lines,
Security Cabling and Equipment, and more - all
designed to increase your productivity and lower
your total cost of ownership.
Interconnect Voice/Data Services
Beacon designs and manages interconnect voice/data
systems to improve productivity, streamline services
and reduce costs. Beacon’s capabilities include Phone
Systems, Voice Messaging, Computer/Telephony
Integration, Cabling, and Wireless.
Systems Integration
Systems integration is a crucial operational element
for any company. Beacon offers a complete portfolio
of systems integration services, including Data
Networking and Security, Managed Network Services,
Physical Security, and Cabling.
Enterprise Planning, Implementation and Support
Enterprise solutions are the foundation of an
organization’s infrastructure. Beacon’s partnerships
with leading vendors, coupled with our technology
and the skills of our team – ensure your most critical
systems are properly aligned, calibrated and built
to last.
IT Market
IT Spending Cuts May Be Ending: While the revenue growth delivered and the contracts won by BEAC indicate that the company’s products and services are attractive in an economy that is in a cost cutting, cash preserving mode, BEAC also should stand to benefit as companies begin to return to spending in IT in an effort to improve service and efficiency. A 5/14/09 article by Ben Worthen in the Wall Street Journal, entitled “Businesses Quit Slashing IT Budgets2”, notes that although the market is not yet poised to return to the 9% - 13% growth in IT spending in 2006 and 2007, the cuts in spending may be bottoming out in 2009:
After reducing their budgets sharply for months, many businesses across the US have stopped slashing information-technology spending…The stabilization doesn’t mean the good times are back in tech. While spending may have hit a bottom, the executives say they don’t intend to boost their budgets again until after their businesses and the economy as a whole have shown stability for several quarters. For 2010, they anticipate tech budgets that are mainly flat.” The article goes on to quote Cisco CEO John Chambers, who states that: “You have to have a leveling out before you have an upturn.
This renewed sense of cautious optimism, or at least a meaningful reduction in uncertainty and pessimism, seems to be reflected in the performance of the iShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund (NYSE Arca: IGM) presented later in this report.
A Multi-Trillion $ Opportunity: While 2009 may be a year of slowing decline rather than a return to growth, Gartner research director Richard Gordon still estimates3 $3.2 trillion in IT spending globally in 2009, with relatively small declines in IT and telecom spending:
Global spending in IT will decrease by 3.8% from $3.4 trillion in 2008 to $3.2 trillion in 2009…IT departments are being asked to trim budgets. The IT market in 2009 will be worst than in 2001 when the internet bubble burst. There is a general slowdown in demand across the industry. Gartner estimates that the hardware market will be down by 15%, IT services will fall 1.3%, telecommunication will fall 3%, while enterprise software will grow slightly.
Management
Bruce Widener, Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Widener possesses over 19 years of industry experience. Prior to developing and forming BEAC, Mr. Widener served as Chief Operating Officer of US Wireless Online, a provider of wireless internet access and related applications during 2006. From 2004 to 2006 Mr. Widener served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of UniDial Communications / Lightyear Network Solutions. Mr. Widener was an independent contractor with PTEK in 2002 and became Senior Vice President of Indirect Channel Sales in 2003 through 2004. Mr. Widener was a founding executive of UniDial / Lightyear, which grew from start-up to over $220 million in annual revenue within six years.
J. Sherman “Sherm” Henderson III, Director
Mr. Henderson has more than 35 years of business experience, including company ownership, sales, marketing and management. He has served as president and CEO of Lightyear Network Solutions, LLC since its inception in 2003. Henderson served as President and CEO of Lightyear Communications, Inc., predecessor to Lightyear Network Solutions, since its formation in 1993. In 2004, he was voted chairman of COMPTEL, the leading communications trade association, made up of more than 300 member companies. Mr. Henderson is a graduate of Florida State University, with a B.A. degree in Business Administration.
John D. Rhodes, III, M.D., Director
Dr. Rhodes practiced as a physician and has been Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases serving as Chief Fellow in Cardiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine from 1984-1985 and was elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Rhodes has been an active investor in the telecom, restaurant and real estate industries. Dr. Rhodes was a founding investor in Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH), a national restaurant chain with $880 million in annual revenue, and served as a member of its advisory board until its initial public offering in 2004.
Richard C. Mills, President
Mr. Mills possesses over 26 years of industry experience. Prior to joining BEAC, he joined publicly traded Pomeroy Computer Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: PMRY) in 1993 and served as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors from 1995 until 1999. During his tenure Pomeroy grew from approximately $65 million to over $630 million in annual revenue. Mr. Mills previously served as CEO of Cyberswap, Inc. where he grew sales from $2 million per month to over $10 million per month in less than one year. He was a founder of Strategic Communications LLC.
Kenneth E. Kerr, RCDD, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Kerr has over 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining BEAC, he was the President and a co-founder of CETCON from 1996 to 2007. Mr. Kerr is a BICSI certified RCDD and holds a BSEE from The Ohio State University.
Robert R. Mohr, CPA, Chief Accounting Officer
Prior to joining BEAC, Mr. Mohr served as Director of Financial Reporting of Triple Crown Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCMI), a $130 million sports marketing, association management and newspaper concern, where he was in charge of SEC compliance, financial reporting and analysis from 2005 to 2007. From 2002 to 2005 Mr. Mohr was Chief Financial Officer of Culinary Standards Corp. Over the past 18 years Mr. Mohr has served in senior financial roles in both public and private companies in varying stages of development including start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, leveraged buy-outs and turnarounds. Pursuant to financial roles, Mr. Mohr has also served as the leader of human resources, information technology, distribution and customer service.
