41073723•05/25/12
Robert Symmonds
Sitting in his brand new office in his brand new 10,000 sq.- foot building, Robert Symmonds isn’t afraid to throw around the old saying that ‘nobody ever got fired for hiring IBM.’
That’s because as the head of Medicine Hat-based Auto-Star Compusystems, it’s exactly what gets him out of bed in the morning. And maybe even keeps him up at night.
Since 1982, Auto-Star has been developing and selling Point of Sale (POS) software applications designed mostly for pharmacies, groceries and health industries. Their clients include Rexall Pharmacies, Nutters, Harvard and the Mayo Clinic – and many other big names in the US and even Australia.
“We know we’re a small company based in a small hub,” says Robert, who has been president of the company for seven years. “But that can also be an advantage because we’re able to be very dedicated to customer service.”
And that means convincing clients to forgo the tried and true IBMs of the world and instead go with a smaller company with a focus solely on POS software. Robert knows he’s playing with the big guys – and
he wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, this is a guy who doesn’t exactly shy away from challenges.
In 2001, Robert joined the Auto- Star executive team, accepting the position of director of Operations. Shortly after, he added the role of general manager to his responsibilities before taking on the job of president.
“This company is so great in so many ways,” says Robert, who grew up in the High River region. “Auto-Star has always been committed to community work and giving back.”
The company has taken home several awards for its community involvement. Auto-Star is a three-time winner of a small business award for community involvement and has also taken home an award for outstanding community service.
And this really resonates with Robert – who is a member of the Medicine Hat College Business Administration Advisory Committee, has actively participated in Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, organizes an annual teddy bear drive for the hospital and somehow finds time to set the direction and vision for
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Auto-Star and its 26 employees and spend time travelling and fishing with his wife, Celina, and their four kids – ages 18, 16, 14 and 8.
“Being part of a community on many levels is so important,” adds Robert who holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business and is currently completing the requirements toward an accounting designation.
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