Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH8:Layout 1 23/10/2009 14:50 Page 52
Telecommunications
Fenix Solutions: the story so far
by Kieron McGuire
F
or me it all began in 1978 when I started working for
Lloyd Sound Ltd as a company accountant. In 1981 I
bought the business and my first large contract came
in October when we secured the contract to install the P.A.
and music system for an exciting new business venture in
Northern Ireland – DeLorean motors. This was a £27,000
contract that we had six weeks to complete. We worked
seven days a week and successfully delivered the project
on time. My abiding memory was waiting in their Finance
Department for three hours on Christmas Eve to collect a
cheque for the second half of the contract. And as history
shows us, that was a pretty good use of my time that day!
The early ‘80s saw the liberalization of the telecoms
industry. Ever ready to grab a new business opportunity
we expanded our portfolio and began competing in this
emerging market. New business was tough to win in the
early days. We were up against BT who had been the sole
telecoms supplier to Northern Ireland’s commercial and
domestic markets. There was a saying among
procurement managers back then: “Nobody ever got
sacked for buying from BT.”
Kieron McGuire and Colin Marshall
In 1999 Kingston Communications had just turned Plc service desk for customers to log faults, installation calls
and were on the acquisition trail. We had been and general queries. We offer a fully personalised service
maintaining some large telephone switches for them in with our staff accountable and available at the end of a
Northern Ireland and when their MD arrived in my office phone. Our sales and engineering staff are manufacturer
looking to buy a strong local business it didn’t take me accredited in all our products. We have proved this by
long to ask – “Where do I sign?” being the first Avaya SMB Gold Partner in Northern Ireland.
By August 2000 we were part of the Kingston Group Outside of BT and Cable & Wireless we are the only local
with access to both a large product portfolio and accredited Nortel Enterprise EMEA partner for the Meridian
engineering training in Hull and at Nortel in Maidenhead. and Communications Server 1000 Solutions.
Going from MD of a thriving SME to Regional Manager in a Of the current solutions provided by Fenix, Avaya and
company of 2500 was certainly an experience. At my Nortel are leaders in terms of market share in the EMEA.
appraisal in 2004 the regional director asked me, “Kieron, With the recent purchase of Nortel by Avaya this status will
where do you think you are in your career in Kingston?” I only be strengthened. Their consolidation will make way
was 56 and replied, “I’m on the back nine.” for stronger players in the CPE space. That’s the silver
Little did I know in 18 months I’d be back on the first tee. lining.
In 2005 Kingston wanted to streamline their business
and an opportunity arose for a ‘Management buyout’ of Looking ahead
the Northern Ireland branch. This was completed in early
The strategy of Fenix Solutions Ltd is to provide a market
2006 and we ‘rose from the flames’ a dynamic local
leading service to our clients and to engender
company providing telecoms services to Northern Ireland
partnerships that grow with our clients’ changing
business. Fenix Solutions Ltd commenced trading on
requirements. Since 2006 Fenix has doubled its workforce
February 1 2006
and we continue to experience exciting growth. Our
The team is headed up by myself and technical director success is reflected by our clients’ success. As our business
Colin Marshall. We have a highly skilled and experienced is not consumer led we see a path of positive growth in
team with the majority of staff having been with us for the future despite the current economic climate. Our
more than 10 years. The company prides itself on wealth of experience and expertise has lead to several
providing a fully integrated and professional service, from large contracts over the past couple of months, with our
planning through to implementation, servicing a variety of customers taking advantage of the latest in Nortel and
clients, from large public and corporate sectors through to Avaya technology. Recent customers include well known
SME. local businesses such as Premier Power, Radisson Blu, and
Telecoms are the lifeline of any organisation. We provide Ulster Carpet Mills.
a 24/7 service 365 days a year. We have a dedicated For further information,
www.fenixsolutions.co.uk
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