Computer Management Assistance Company was established in Mt. Vernon, IL in 1978 to serve the computer needs of businesses in Southern Illinois. Software was developed and technical support provided for a variety of industries. As computer technology gained acceptance and demand increased, CMAC responded with expansion and growth, opening offices in St. Louis, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver. Partnerships were formed to enhance CMAC's ability to better serve its clients, in-house staff was expanded, and more products and services were added to a growing list.
Products included PC's and network systems, multi-user Unix and IBM AIX Systems capable of serving as few as 2-4 users or as many as 500. All peripherals, printers and disks needed to establish a system were made available to CMAC clients. The company specialized in products for framing manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, art dealers, and other businesses associated with framing firms nationwide. Similar computer systems were established with cold storage companies using COSTOMS-Cold Storage Management Systems-especially public warehousing concerns with frozen food facilities.
CMAC grew as the computer industry itself grew, which provided opportunities for careful, responsible development of products and services. The relatively long process coupled with sound management have given the company a reputation for stability, excellence in products and services, and thoughtful leadership in the high-tech, often confusing world of computers. CMAC has played a key role in helping transform wholesale distributorships into modern, efficient businesses to the benefit of customers, owners and employees alike. Clients include very large businesses such as Litton Industries in Canada; multi-state framing manufacturers, importers and distributors; and framing retailers, art dealers and associated art and framing firms nation-wide. Additional customers are users of COSTOMS, which is sold nationwide to public cold storage warehouses. Clients range from single facility businesses to larger multi-state operations.
Three substantial computer based business entities comprise CMAC: Access by CMAC, MPower by CMAC, and COSTOMS, as well as our ability to design and integrate a web site for our customers. Access was developed by CMAC specifically for the framing industry and it has been sold and serviced by the company essentially since its beginnings having over 45 installations in the Picture Framing Industry. MPower is the newest software in the CMAC lineup and is designed to handle the needs of high volume framed art manufacturers. COSTOMS serves similar functions in the cold storage industry with over 20 installations nationwide offering inventory control, billing and invoicing and the many other unique requirements of the cold storage industry. CMAC's unique ability to design a professional web site as well as seamlessly integrate that sites shopping cart directly to our customers accounting system has set us apart from any other software developer in this industry.
Today, Access by CMAC is an elaborate, sophisticated, up-to-date system of computer software and hardware that addresses virtually every computer need in the framing industry. Some 350 pieces of separate software have been integrated into the basic system.
In an industry where change is routine, CMAC has gained a reputation for stability and permanence. The company has earned high regard in the framing industry by assuring that the impact of change would benefit rather than hinder its clients. One of CMAC's prevailing objectives is to be in the vanguard of computer development, and to give clients easy access to cutting edge technology through timely upgrades and new products with no compromise in quality.
CMAC has strived since its inception to bring to its clients optimum result for dollars spent. As the name implies, CMAC provides computer assistance to management, and management assistance to businesses. Services include sales of hardware and software, customization of systems and unrestricted on and off site support and service for the benefit of the business. Much of the service and support is provided through a hot line communications system, one of the first such telecommunications support systems established in the computer industry back in the late 1970's when the company was formed. The service stands as a symbol of CMAC's prevailing goal of being support and service specialists with comprehensive, instant, personal on-line support for its clients nationwide.
