April 2006 - In the mid 1980’s, Chuck Loewen was a fresh graduate of the University of Manitoba. He envisioned a company where business and technology professionals would have fulfilling careers and be treated like friends. Clients would be treated with the utmost respect and ultimately see real value in our work. With perseverance and a strong commitment to excellence, Chuck embarked on a venture that would grow far beyond his initial vision. Online Business Systems was incorporated in April 1986 with one office, one “Onliner,” and a whole lot of determination. As the company grew, Chuck searched for and hired only the best and brightest who would share his values, professionalism and love of life. Clients would learn that dealing with Online was indeed a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
The rest, as they say, is history... 20 years and counting!
When half of all new companies don’t survive the first three years and only one company in five survives a decade (according to a 2000 Statistics Canada study), Online's success is remarkable.
“Our company still operates on the fundamental principles on which it was created: Always do what is best for Clients, Onliners, and Online. When there is a balance between these three, success is sure to follow,” says Chuck Loewen, Founder and CEO of Online Business Systems. “Our perseverance and core values – together with the amazing people who work for us – have enabled us to grow into a world class organization.”
With a vibrant team of Onliners who are committed to the company’s success and an impressive list of Canadian and US public and private sector clients, there is no doubt that Online is here to stay.
One of Online’s first Onliners was David Neufeld, now Executive Director of Online’s office in Portland, Oregon. “I consider myself privileged to have been asked by Chuck to join the Online family and honoured that I was among the first to do so. In these past twenty years, I’ve seen the company grow from early development on the first PC platforms, to object-oriented and multi-tiered application development and being known as ‘the PowerBuilder shop in Winnipeg,’ to where we find ourselves today – a respected North American organization recognized for its expertise and leadership in enterprise integration, business intelligence, and service-oriented architecture – to name just a few,” says Neufeld. “I am especially proud of the fact that the ‘Online way’ is for the organization to prosper by delivering quality for our clients and providing career growth opportunities for our people. We have become a trusted advisor to our clients and they have become our best word-of-mouth references.”
Loewen sums it up best when he says, “Do great work and you’ll get more work.” Twenty years of it.
Important Dates in Online’s History
1986
Chuck Loewen opens the first Online office at 1680 Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba – future home of Manitoba Telecom Services, an upcoming important client.
1987
Chuck Loewen moves Online's Winnipeg office to 171 Donald Avenue and doubles the size of the company.
Online Enterprises Inc. becomes Online Business Systems.
1988
Online moves its office to 327 Ellice Avenue.
1990
The Online office is bursting at the seams, and relocates to 130 Scott Street.
1994
Online expands its business across the border to open a second office – in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1995
The Winnipeg office moves to its current location at 115 Bannatyne Avenue.
Online is named to Profit 100’s "Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies" list as ranked by Profit, The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs – and would remain on the list for the next four consecutive years.
Online is recognized as one of Canada’s "50 Best Managed Private Companies" by Arthur Anderson, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and the National Post – and would win this honour for seven consecutive years.
1996
Online opens its office in Calgary, Alberta.
1999
Online opens its office in Portland, Oregon.
Online receives the "Canadian Technology Fast 50" award, sponsored by Deloitte and Touche, Financial Post Magazine, National Post, Business Development Bank, and CATAAlliance.
Online is named to the “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Canada” list, as ranked by Profit, The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs, for the fifth consecutive year.
Online receives the "Premium Growth" award for being the only company to remain on Profit 100’s "Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies" list for five consecutive years.
Chuck Loewen is named “Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 1999 Prairie Finalist,” for the second year, sponsored by Ernst and Young and Young Associates.
Online is named to the “Top 100 Manitoba Companies” list, as sponsored by Manitoba Business Magazine – and would remain on this list for the next two years.
Online receives the “Manitoba’s Best in Business” award, sponsored by KPMG, Unicity Custom Brokers, and Manitoba Business Magazine.
2000
Online acquires Vela Information Management Consultants, an internet and e-Business consulting company, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. This acquisition would advance Online’s strategy of delivering technology solutions to clients in the Energy industry.
2001
Online opens its office in Toronto, Ontario, through the acquisition of Coherente, a financial services, internet development company. The acquisition would form the basis of Online’s financial services practice.
Chuck Loewen is named Ernst & Young E-Business Prairie Entrepreneur of the Year.
Online is once again named to Profit 100’s "Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies" list as ranked by Profit, The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs.
Online is recognized as one of Canada’s “50 Best Managed Private Companies” by Arthur Anderson, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and the National Post.
Online ranks 10th on the “50 Fastest-Growing Companies” list, sponsored by Manitoba Business Magazine.
2002
Online opens its office in Boston, Massachusetts.
Online is named to "Canada’s Top 100 Employers" list for 2002 by Toronto-based Mediacorp Canada Inc.1986
2005
Online opens its office in Edmonton, Alberta.
2006
Online celebrates 20 years of growth and success!