Tower Group, a subsidiary of FedEx Trade Networks, Inc., is part of FedEx Corporation, the $20 billion global transportation and logistics company. The mid- 1990’s found Tower Group with six offices in the Buffalo area, looking for a local integrator that could implement a data infrastructure, as well as supply networking and communications hardware. Naturally that company would need to be able to produce a quick turnaround on a variety of projects for the future.

PremCom Corporation, a Buffalo-based Multi-Service Integrator, providing design, installation and support for communication and data networks came to Tower Group’s table with a complete package for them to explore. “I had ideas of what I felt we needed and had formed a preliminary plan,” said Lyle Fell, Manager, Telecommunications for Tower Group. “PremCom took those ideas and came up with a bulletproof plan on how the cabling, data and voice infrastructure would be done.”

FedEx, one of the world’s most recognized brands, is synonymous with speed, reliability and service. All Tower Group locations across the United States must reflect this image. Therefore, the work PremCom does for Tower Group must have redundant back up in order to ensure service and reliability. FedEx uses IBM’s Image Plus program to store documents. Customer’s that used to wait days for an update on a freight item – now only need to wait moments for a FedEx representative to bring up on their computer tracking information for a specific delivery. There must be rock-solid back up for all of these files. FedEx is the largest user of the IBM program in the world with over 1 million documents stored.

“Tower Group is an important partner for PremCom,” said Peter Proulx, CEO for PremCom Corporation. “We have supported their network since 1995. We have even dedicated one of our top technicians to be on site at Tower Group two days a week. We are committed to making this a long-term relationship.”

PremCom has certainly proved their dedication over the years. “What impressed me most initially about PremCom was their eagerness and aggressiveness to do the work,” expressed Fell. “While on the job, PremCom does not require me looking over their shoulder to make sure the job is being completed. I simply let them run with the job. This is not to say that we just sit back, Tower Group does require quick delivery on their projects.”

There are always new projects arising that the Tower Group calls on PremCom for. PremCom’s ability to travel and handle the design and installation at various locations across the United States is a clear benefit for Tower Group. In 1999, PremCom set out to configure 15 different routers for Tower Group across the country in order for them to be Y2K complient. As new projects come up, Fell will discuss with PremCom what he wants done and ask for a plan of action. Fell regularly bounces questions off the experts at PremCom. “They have continued their initial spirit,” discussed Fell. Whenever I bring a project to PremCom they are always excited about it – they never say no.”

Since partnering with PremCom Corporation, Tower Group has had improved employee performance. Their employees are able to react more quickly to requests by clients and the speed at which they accomplish tasks has been enhanced with new technology provided by PremCom. “The employees at PremCom are good people,” said Fell. “PremCom is a premier local service provider that has helped Tower Group achieve its business goals. The partnership has proven to be a great asset.”