I was the founder of Basic Software Systems when it started in January of 1979. Since then, many changes have been made.
The most drastic way that running our business has changed is in the technology that has taken place. We started out programming our system on floppy disks and mailing them to our customers every time a change was made to a program. Today, a program is changed on a central server somewhere and everyone’s system is changed at the same time since we are a web-based system.
Another way doing business has changed is in the hiring of employees. In the past, a person was grateful for the opportunity to be employed and understood that the job usually involved relocating. Today, prospective employees have a different attitude toward being employed. There doesn’t seem to be the same level of commitment to working for a company as a career as opposed to constantly seeing what else is available. Many want to work from home but in our industry that isn’t as feasible.
There really wasn’t any particular “defining moment” that changed our business. It really changed because of the evolution of technology. The first 20 years or so was a more gradual process whereas today the technology changes much quicker and you must be willing to change with it. In the past, we relied on computer technology that was housed onsite in the dealership. Today, the more progressive software companies are making the software available through web-based servers. Basic Software Systems has been a pioneer in completely rewriting their software from the ground up where the internet makes the software available on any device where an internet connection is available.
Congrats on the Farm Equipment milestones. Before the days of digital advertising, the printed media was all that was available, and we relied on Farm Equipment Magazine to spread the word about our company.
Check out other "A Look Back in Farm Equipment History" blogs
Industry commentary on “55 Years of Farm Equipment”
- The ‘5 Greatest Tech Advancements’ in My Career as a Dealer | Leo Johnson, Johnson Tractor
- The Impact of Consolidation & Technology on Agriculture Over Half a Century | Sam Christianson, Titan Machinery
- A Service Manager’s View on the Changing Times | Brent Bazin, Young's Equipment Inc.
- Reflections on Farm Equipment | George Russell, Machinery Advisors Consortium
- Farm Equipment Sales in the 1970s | Charlie Glass, FEMA Dealer Relations Commitee
- Digital Communications Changed the Course of OEMs Working With Dealers | Tom Taylor, retired farm equipment executive
- RDO Equipment’s Take on the Last 55 Years | Daryl Shelton, RDO Equipment
- Reflections from a North American, International & Company-Store Dealer Exec | Stacy Anthony, AgRevolution LLC
- A Lot of Change in Shortline Equipment | Hans Rasmussen, Summers Manufacturing
- Business Acumen, Technology Forever Changed Equipment Sales & Service | Brian R. Carpenter, Champlain Valley Equipment
- Not Your Grandfather’s Farm Equipment Dealership… | Josh Waggener, Hutson Inc
- Left Major OEM Career 55 Years Ago to Become Dealer-Principal | Paul Wallem, Retired International Harvester executive
- Titan Machinery Reflects on Significant Changes to Dealership Environment in 55 Years | David J. Meyer, Titan Machinery
- From 3 Stores Within 50 Miles to 25 Stores Across 8 States | Tom Rosztoczy, Stotz Equipment
- 45 Years of Observations on Ag Equipment Manufacturing & Distribution | Chuck Bellew, retired farm equipment executive
- Today’s Staff Has No Fear Approach to Risk, But It Still Exists | Jeff Morgan, H&R Agri-Power
- A Recent Retiree’s Perspective on Equipment Industry | Lars Paulsson, Laforge Systems
- 60 Years of Equipment Dealer Associations Consolidation Continues | Kim Rominger, NAEDA
- Vast Technology Changes Assisted Dealers’ Computerization | Ed Archambo, Basic Software Systems
- ‘I Didn’t Listen to My Uncle Roy’ | Jon Eis, Eis Implement Co.
- Farm Equipment Manufacturers and the Early 1980s Farm Crisis
- GMO, Autosteer Forever Changed Our Business | Tom Janson, Janson Equipment
- My 35 Years at RME, from Microfiche to Guidance | Jim Wood, Rocky Mountain Equipment
- Export Opportunities Changed Game for Canadian Shortline Manufacturer | Hal Carnago, Schulte Industries Ltd.
- 40 Years with Sunco, Hiniker, Ingersoll, Southern Marketing & Forges de Niaux | Larry Hansen, Forges de Niaux
- From Dreaming Farm Boy to Equipment Dealer | Tim Brannon, B&G Equipment
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