If you are a fan of Bicom Systems, you have probably seen the exciting news about our 15th Anniversary milestone. In honor of this accomplishment and our HISTORY class in Bicom Systems Summer School, we thought it would be a good idea to take a trip down memory lane! And the only way to do that properly is to go back to the beginning.
Once upon a time (in early 2000), there were three men. Senad Jordanovic and Stephen Wingfield were in London, UK working at a technology company. The pair agreed they could do something (big) in the telecommunications industry. Although they were both qualified and proficient, they were still missing one more team member.
So Senad went searching and found Sergej Kasumovic! The saying ‘two is a party; three is a crowd’ did not apply in this situation. The added edition made the team an unstoppable force.
Unfortunately, they never had an official office. So they all went back to their hometowns and worked remotely (just one advantage of unified communications). Stephen worked out of his broom cupboard in Paris, France on the staircase of his apartment. So small that he built a desk on a hinge so the door could open! Senad went back to his apartment in London, UK. And Sergej worked from his home in Tuzla, Bosnia.
Every business needs a name, right? Although it took us a few weeks to think of a name, the three founders wanted a short, meaningful if possible, easy to remember the name. And that’s exactly what they came up with!
What does Bicom stand for? Well, it has surprise, surprise, three possible meanings.
Business Internet Comms
Business IP Comms
Business International Comms
As you can see, the pattern of these three names is the words “Business” and “Comms”.
After putting in countless hours, working day and night, PBXware was ready to show to the world at Astricon 2004. Still believed impossible at the time, the GUI delivered the world’s first turnkey communications solution using Open Source.
Latterly, the trio finally planted their feet and took on their first staff members. Seudin, Faruk and Denis, started in the Bicom Systems office in Tuzla. Now there are three offices in Tuzla.
And that was how Bicom Systems was born and started to grow! Now, almost 16 years later, we have over 100 employees, located all around the world. Our first office was opened in Zenica and we recently upgraded to a bigger space. We occupy one office in Sarajevo and our Tuzla office was quickly outgrown, so now we occupy two locations! We have deployed in countless countries, two years ago opened an office in Canada, and on top of all this, we also hire remote employees!
Do you want to get to know our founders better? Check out this Q&A that I had with each of them!
Senad Jordanovic
Senad JordanovicCEO of Bicom Systems
Over 20 years of experience working in IT and when he is not developing new products or solutions for growing great company, you can find him with his family, watching his favorite TV Shows and trying the latest and greatest in cars!
Tell me a little bit about yourself?
“I have been in this business for a very long time, and it is still exciting! I love making products and solutions to offer to businesses, and I love giving people opportunities to work for Bicom Systems. It is very important for me to get our products out to be universal for businesses worldwide. That is the core goal and why I do what I do. The fire that started this company was built from a desire to make it. This fire has grown into a passion to build a great everlasting company to which I am utterly committed.”
Describe your job in three words.
“Challenging, Awarding, and an Adventure.”
What is your favorite quote?
“Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. – Winston Churchill”
Tell me something I didn’t know.
“I would like to think of myself as a very honest and fair person to people.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I wake up, meditate and touch base with family after all without family support, no business can thrive. Check emails and prepare for the day. I spend most of my day talking to customers and coworkers. I get feedback and opinions and then work out solutions to problems. My afternoons consist of many conference calls, but at the end of the day, I go home to my amazing family.”
Stephen Wingfield
Director of Sales and Marketing at Bicom Systems
When Stephen is not solving customer issues or coming up with new mischief, he is spending time with his kids trying new things like skiing, ballet, ziplining, sailing, hockey… you get the hint.
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
“The best part of this, I am probably still discovering, but somewhere along the way two kids, a supportive wife, and a simple wish to liberate the world from traditional communications.”
What do you like most about Bicom Systems?
“Every year is different, every month, every day. Seeing customers grow and achieve their goals. Seeing colleagues evolve their scopes through more challenges.”
What is your favorite quote?
“In this life, you can do anything, but not everything.’ No idea who said that but it’s what came out first.”
Tell me something I didn’t know.
“Computer Programming was started by a woman, Ada Lovelace.”
Describe your job in three words.
“Eclectic (one word is enough).”
Sergej Kasumovic
Sergej KasumovicDirector of R&D at Bicom Systems
Sergej is recently a new father to a baby boy, so when he is not catching up on some much-needed sleep, you can find him reading a new book!
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
“I am one of the founders of Bicom Systems. We met each other on the internet over 20 years ago and are still working together! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family or reading.”
What is your favorite quote?
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
What do you like most about Bicom Systems?
“It’s all about great people working together on interesting new things!”
Describe your job in three words.
“Innovate every day.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I am mostly responsible for software related things, so I suppose, wake up, work, spend time with family, read.”
Want to learn more about our 15th Anniversary? Check out this blog post!