DSI's History
Michael J. McGraw founded DSI in May 1979 to provide custom programming and other technical services to businesses around the Kansas City area. Mr. McGraw wanted DSI to become the premier technical services organization in the Midwest. In these early years, DSI grew slowly and steadily, focusing on services for users of IBM® midrange computer systems.
In the mid-1980s, IBM began to explore the use of third-party firms to support its midrange hardware sales efforts. DSI was the first of three firms to join IBM's Marketing Assistance Program (MAP) and began to build its own hardware sales and marketing staff.
In 1989, two major events changed the course of DSI's future. First, IBM changed its marketing program so instead of just assisting IBM in selling midrange products, DSI now sold directly for IBM. DSI immediately opted for extending territories in the Midwest. Second, DSI became acquainted with a fast-growing, IBM-midrange software developer in Denver, CO. - J.D. Edwards & Company. DSI's midrange knowledge and technical skills were a good match for J.D. Edwards.
In 1991, DSI completed a custom programming engagement to build a data collection system for a client in the Midwest. J.D. Edwards then selected DSI to develop a data collection program that could be integrated with its enterprise software. This partnership started DSI's data collection business, which led to the development of the dcLINK® Data Collection System.
Due to the advanced technology of dcLINK, businesses worldwide began selecting dcLINKas their data collection application. That, combined with DSI's midrange expertise, spurred a period of unsurpassed growth and business success. During the mid-1990s, DSI grew from 60 employees to nearly 200, and from three locations to more than 20 regional offices throughout North America. Amid this growth, DSI began the practice of giving away teddy bears at major industry conferences. The limited-edition collectable bears remain one of the more popular give-a-ways at enterprise software conferences.
The strength of DSI's commitment to data collection for enterprise software was reinforced in 2003 when DSI became one of the first companies selected as a PeopleSoft® Software Partner following the merger between PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards. To continue the strong relationship with PeopleSoft, DSI established a regional office in Pleasanton, CA near the PeopleSoft headquarters. DSI also offers data collection for SAP™, Intentia®, BPCS® and legacy software.
Today, with more than 2000 clients worldwide, corporations continue to partner with DSI to leverage its expertise in Supply Chain Management solutions. DSI offers a comprehensive suite of wireless software products, including its award-winning dcLINK. As an IBM Premier Business Partner, DSI sells industry-leading hardware and software. DSI consultants combine expertise and innovative thinking to create and deliver advanced technology solutions that solve business issues and deliver results.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, DSI serves business globally through locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and through a network of business partners around the world.