Today we’d like to introduce you to Dale Callow.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I established Callow & Company in the mid 1980’s with the creation of a complete DOS based manufacturing system application. Working with networks on LanTastic, Novell, and later, the complete Microsoft versions of network operating systems, I continued to consult and program custom applications for a variety of industries, including the Home Health Medical field with a complete Medicare approved admitting and billing application. I envisioned a need to expand, and I did.
In the early 1990’s Callow & Company began consulting with Local Labor Unions that had been using a custom software application. Due to the growing needs of our clients, we developed the first of our Fund Administrator™ brand of products. This allowed for the development of applications that track and calculate medical eligibility and claim adjudication as well as pension calculations and statements.
Since then I have developed a Labor Union dues collection application, which includes the automation of out of work lists, meeting and voting listings. More recently a Union Apprenticeship tracking and training application package has been developed for our clients.
Currently, we are developing an HVAC application to plan, estimate, dispatch, invoice, and track accounts receivable, and accounts payable for the Air Conditioning and Heating businesses. Working on custom applications for a “Soil Engineering Company”, and a local “Legal Document Preparation Company”.
At the inception of the internet, I envisioned the advertising dollars its clients, primarily small businesses, could save on yellow page or newspaper ads. Our vision took some education and a lot of encouragement, and, we initially met with resistance from many of our clients. However, I knew the impact the internet would have in the future, and I devoted the talent and staff needed to develop web hosting and web site design. As home computers for consumers migrated from a luxury to a necessity, I positioned the company to offer its clients a premier package that includes web hosting and web site design at an affordable price.
While my passion is custom application design and web site design, I have listened to my clients and understand the frustration of any small business is “being caught between the software guy and the hardware guy.” Therefore, My staff and I are always available to troubleshoot and make recommendations on any needed upgrades. If you choose Callow & Co. to develop or upgrade your custom software, prior to installation, you will have a free of charge, written assessment of current hardware, and a recommendation (including the cost) for upgrades. If there is a conflict with the hardware you currently have running a software application designed by another firm, and my firm has upgraded your hardware to meet their specifications, my technicians will work with the other vendor to resolve. My philosophy is that any conflict should be transparent to my clients.
Finally, being a small business man myself, I understand that with most of my clients, profitability margins are narrow. Therefore, me and my staff will work with you to ensure that the money you spend is, as the saying goes, “money well spent.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely striving to be ahead of the curve. Plus, I think juggling many different types of clients and always being ready for something completely different than the day, weeks or years before. I never have been afraid of trying something and always told my customers I don’t like that word “That something can’t be done”, If there’s a way I’ll find it.
Callow and Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in computer consulting, computer repair, network installation / troubleshooting, custom desktop and mobile application design and development.
I think that one of the biggest assets that I have is the ability to explain things in everyday language, and then go behind the scenes and develop a software application. Most project managers and developers don’t have that. I’m most proud of that and it has served my company very well.
Also, I think having a good imagination is important. Thinking out-of-the-box is often said, but who truly delivers? On nearly every case in the last 25+ years customers always tell me how great our relationship is. My customers are never one off either, once they’ve called their customers for life. I appreciate them, and working on each project, computer or network as if it were my own always giving honest advice, it shows.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
About 5 years ago I developed a mobile application that is the entire US and Canada directory for Union Electricians (IBEW) members to travel to different locals to work and filter by work class and wages, it has 1000’s of installations. I also developed a free 650+ ‘copycat’ restaurant recipe collection that has been downloaded more than 5,000 times.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.intelligent-ware.com
- Phone: 972-571-4808
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/intelligentware
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/support_iw
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/callow-and-company-dallas
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/dale-callow-07260b10
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
