Lowen IT, Lowen’s first operating unit targeting the Greater Hutchinson/Reno County market, offers service support and training for computers, networks & telephone systems for businesses of all sizes. In addition to providing primary support, Lowen offers secondary support required for businesses that already have existing IT staff. Lowen IT also offers new hardware and software sales and support.
Lowen IT supports their customers based on their unique needs with the same passion and professionalism that has kept Lowen Corporation in business since 1950. “Most people would not think of Lowen as a company with high technology capabilities,” said Matt Lowen, President. “We have always been on the cutting edge with our internal operating systems and have developed, programmed and supported our own business software for the past decade. Our customers, which include several Fortune 500 companies, are impressed with our technology offerings.”
“The new division simply makes sense for our professional growth,” added Tracy Metzger, Lowen Corporation Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “Expanding our professional services allows our company to move through our own technology projects at a faster pace while providing our resources to other businesses. We have a superior team of IT professionals who will respond quickly to high demands. Recently, we added several IT professionals to the department. James Starkweather was recently hired to supervise the Lowen IT division. In addition to the already hired professionals, we plan to hire three to four more technicians in 2010 to accommodate our new Lowen IT division.”
Metzger said Lowen’s existing business model will absorb a significant portion of the company’s overhead, which allows them to offer highly competitive rates without requiring their clients to purchase lengthy support contracts. By not requiring support/service contracts, Lowen IT can be available for their customers during or after business hours, or they can develop a routine maintenance schedule to make sure systems are stable and always up to date.
“Over the years we have seen many IT professionals try to throw money at problems with unneccessary hardware or software upgrades to try to fix an underlying issue that was overlooked,” said Metzger. “We also see a lot of after hours work being performed by IT professionals on the side, which is common in the technology field. The rates charged can be modest sometimes, but businesses should be concerned with limited hours of support, insurance coverage should something go wrong, and the fact that computer-related problems can’t wait for technicians to get back from vacation.”
Lowen has been providing IT services for select local businesses during its first year and have had a very positive response. As a result, Lowen has received an increasing number of inquiries about their services without advertising. They definitely see a demand for professional IT services.
Lowen IT seeks to bring Kansas and surrounding areas simplicity in the way technology operates in their business. “We provide first-time callers the chance to schedule a free technology consultation,” Metzger said. “We sit down and review the technology that is already working effectively for them, then we assess what can be done to make it work better.”
Metzger notes services alone will not bring simplicity. “We believe that common sense, depth of knowledge along with a focus on what the customer needs will drive simplicity in our customers’ businesses. Our technicians not only understand technology, but they also see first hand what it takes to run a business. With such a customer centric attitude, our customers can be assured that whenever we recommend something, we do it solely on their need and not to make a quick buck.”
“As a business that is in business, we know that the last thing your customer wants to hear is that you have technology dilemma”, Metzger added.
Tracy Metzger
VP & CTO
Lowen Corporation