Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | January 8, 2018 | wbjournal.com F O C U S B E S T M U L T I M E D I A S E R V I C E S A ccording to Rick Porter, responding to a client only when something needs fixing is not at all a recipe for success in the information technology business. "When they call, they're frustrated and angry," Porter said. "They're going to have more issues that may take lon- ger to resolve." Cinch IT fixes problems before they start BY ZACHARY COMEAU Worcester Business Journal Writers Porter, the president of Worcester IT firm Cinch IT, said the company was founded on the relationships with its clients. Rather than sticking a bandaid on problems as they arise, Porter and his team strive to form synergistic relationships with their clients. "Even if there are no issues, we just walk around and make sure we get facetime with everybody," he said. The company's prices are fixed and their services are all-inclusive, mean- ing each client gets the same amount of facetime with Porter's staff regard- less of the client's technology woes. "We have the same goals," Porter said. "We want to have a fixed, dependable price to budget for and staff accordingly." That habit of cultivating sound working relationships with clients has resulted in fewer helpdesk calls. When calls do come in, there's no frustration or disgruntlement. "We've had people call and ask if the helpdesk guy's baby was born," Porter said. "That's the only reason they called." The company, founded in 2004, has grown from a one-person firm to a 24-employee business and an average rate of growth of 30 percent. Cinch IT has grown its revenue from less than $100,000 to a projected $2 million for 2017, Porter said. That growth has culminated in the recent $680,000 purchase of a 12,000-square-foot headquarters on West Mountain Street in Worcester. It's a major expansion of the company's former 2,500-square-foot office on West Boylston Street. "We couldn't fit any more desks in there," Porter said. Angela Rocheleau, vice president of Associate Home Care in Worcester, has been a client of Porters for nearly a decade. Admittedly, Rocheleau is not the most computer-savvy person, but the burden of maintaining her company's servers and network is met completely by Porter's staff. A Cinch IT employee has been at the reception desk explaining the phone changes after acquisitions and mergers, including earlier this year when there were problems with the phone system after a merger. "They were really patient about showing up and talking you through it," Rocheleau said. Technology problems can make a company – especially in a vital indus- try like home health care – crumble. However, Cinch IT keeps their cool in times of crisis. "[Porter] really invests in his cus- tomers and helps them as much as they can," Rocheleau said. BEST IT SERVICES Cinch IT, Inc. Worcester, www.cinchit.com Top executive: President Rick Porter Founded: 2004 Employees: 24 Notable runner-up: Machado Consulting BEST AWARDS & PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS Engraveables* Marlborough, www.engraveablesma.com Top executive: Lou Papile, Jr., president Founded: 1984 Employees: 3 Engraveables prides itself on its willingness to engrave not only the products it sells, but its clients' products as well. The com- pany can always meet a deadline for cus- tomers in need of a fast turnaround. BEST SIGN COMPANY Sunshine Sign Company Inc. North Grafton, www.sunshinesign.com Top executive: David R. Glispin, president & owner Founded: 1980 Employees: 29 Sunshine's motto is to "Sweat the details" as the company's employees agonize over details as little as an 16th of an inch. Its products are built to create signature sig- nage, and the company delivers as is dic- tated by clients' needs. Notable runners-up: Serrato Signs, Fast Signs BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTER Curry Printing* Westborough, CurryPrinting.com Top executive: President Peter Gardner Founded: 1978 Employees: 35 With a strong understand on clients' needs, Curry helps them save time and be more efficient in their print communica- tions. The company operates 24 hours a day, with competitive prices, to provide convenience for clients of all sizes. Jack Wilson, Cinch IT sales manager Sunshine Sign Company W

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