Once a typewriter dealer, the family-owned business has evolved into a one-stop shop for all business technology needs.
Central Business Systems first opened its doors as a typewriter dealer in Baldwin in 1948. Over the last 75 years, the family-owned business has adapted to the tech industry’s transformational advancements to become a major provider of comprehensive office technology solutions and services for companies throughout Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
Now based in Melville, Central serves as a one-stop shop for total document imaging solutions, copiers, printers, advanced business products, professional managed IT, security, cloud services, VoIP and unified communications, and more.
When office copiers became ubiquitous in the 1970s, Central became one the region’s first copier dealerships. Through the growth of PCs in the 1980s, the internet in the 1990s, mobile technologies in the 2000s and the transition to remote/ hybrid workplaces during the pandemic era, the company has served as a trusted partner and guide, helping clients adjust to the new way of doing things.
“Over the years, we have stayed relevant by not only keeping up with the changes but staying ahead of the technology curve, so that we could provide expert guidance and planning to our customers,” said Michael Chambers, president and co-owner of Central Business Systems.
According to Chambers, today’s businesses are looking for the efficiencies and economies that come from working with a single-source provider for all of their technology needs, rather than having separate vendors for copiers, phones, IT and cybersecurity.
“We have evolved to meet all of our customers’ needs, while a lot of our competitors are still in silos offering one specific service, and this has given us a tremendous competitive advantage,” Chambers said.
When COVID-19 forced businesses to switch to remote operations virtually overnight, Central worked around the clock to ensure its clients’ business continuity. With hybrid workspaces now becoming the norm throughout many industries, Central has assisted customers in adapting their systems to be able to work productively and securely in a flexible environment on a permanent basis.
“Cybersecurity is a major, major concern, as evidenced by the recent large scale Suffolk County breach,” Chambers said. “When it comes to office technology, everything’s connected – copiers, printers, phones and computers are all vulnerable to a breach. A single-source provider who is responsible for the whole picture can
look at a company’s needs more holistically to ensure the efficiency and security of their entire network.”
Adaptability is only one part of Central’s story. Personalized customer service, reliability and integrity have also been cornerstones of the company’s success for the last 75 years.
“The fact that we have been in business this long under the same family ownership points to the integrity and corporate culture we have established,” Chambers said. “We have served thousands of customers ranging from small and midsize businesses up to large enterprises. Business leaders are very savvy and they can understand when a vendor is trying to make a sale versus making a customer. Sales are short-term and transactional in nature; we’re committed to long-term relationships and understanding our customers’ needs so we can best serve them.”
Throughout its history, Central has put a premium on “giving back to the local communities where we live and work, and which have been so good to us,” Chambers said. “We support many local charities that are near and dear to our hearts and that are dedicated to helping our community, including SCO Family of Services, Family Service League, FREE and many others.”
Central Business Systems is proud to have stood the test of time to reach the 75-year milestone.
“We are grateful to our dedicated staff, our valued customers and the community for their trust, support and continued commitment to us,” Chambers said.
Copywright (c) 2023 Long Island Business News, Edition 3/24/2023