Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

Agricultural irrigation systems may seem an unlikely
beginning for an IT solutions provider, but it was exactly
where Rich Linton, VLCM founder and president, got his
start in the brand new world of personal computing. IBM
rolled out the world’s first-ever personal computer and
immediately began looking for qualified dealers to sell and
service their exciting new product. In 1983, Linton was one
of just three selected from 300 applicants to represent IBM
in the state of Utah.
“I think what made us stand out was that IBM had an
understanding of the complexity of what we specialized in
at the time, which was center-pivot irrigation systems,”
Linton says. “Since we were well established in rural Utah,
they believed we had an advantage marketing to that
segment of the state,” he says.
Since Linton was selling a product new to the public,
technical support became a critical part of the VLCM
business model from the very beginning. Linton immersed
himself in building a company based on superior customer
service and relationships. “We were the ones to step in
when other companies failed and have outlasted many of
our competitors,” Linton said.
Significant milestones in VLCM’s thirty year tenure
include buying Computerland in 1997, landing the TRAX
software and hardware contract in preparation for the 2002
Olympic Winter Games in 1999, expanding operations to
Idaho in 2007, opening VLCM Orem in 2009, and achieving
VMware Premier Partner status in 2010. (VLCM is the first
Utah headquartered reseller to receive this distinction.)
VLCM now services organizations small, medium, and large,
both in the public and private sector, and employs over 100
people in Utah.
Business success aside, one of Linton’s proudest VLCM
projects is the Huntsman Cancer Classic. This annual golf
tournament benefits the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
“Our contribution helps other people become aware of the
amazing work they are doing at Huntsman,” Linton says.
VLCM also donates all IT support to the Huntsman Cancer
Foundation on an ongoing basis. In 2010, VLCM efforts
were recognized with the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s
Giving Circle Award.
For more information about VLCM products and services,
please visit www.vlcmtech.com.
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VLCM
Left: Rich Linton, VLCM founder and president, was one of Utah’s first
IBM dealers, a platform he used to build a company that now employs more
than 100 people servicing the IT needs of businesses both large and small.
Below: Giving back to the community is a large part of VLCM’s mission
and values. The company not only donates all IT support to the Huntsman
Cancer Foundation, but is also chief organizer of the Huntsman Cancer
Classic, an annual golf tournament benefiting the Huntsman Cancer
Foundation as well.
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