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Company

In March of 1993, Eric and Heather Sundin founded Data Perceptions. Eric was part of the engineering class that experienced the first computer applications designed for individual use. As the IT industry began to realize the dream of a personal computer on every desk, Eric had the opportunity to develop his skills at the bleeding edge of this information technology revolution. His journey included experience with mainframes, minis and PCs. Along the way he spent some time with Energy Mines and Resources developing software simulations for the mining industry. In fact, he originally planned to specialize in creating computer simulation software for the environmental space, until the realities of the evolving marketplace moved him toward the IT consulting model that Data Perceptions later became recognized for.

Eric’s growing expertise with servers, networks, and windows server infrastructure made him a valuable commodity, particularly in the rapidly changing telecommunications industry, at a time when this skill-set was rare. As the company and its reputation grew, Eric found himself sourcing additional resources for his customers to fill gaps in their teams. Motivated by a desire to better meet clients’ needs, Data Perceptions gradually began to take the lead in putting together full project consulting teams. Over time, this grew into the network of partners and associates that they continue to work with today.

An integral part of the team from the beginning, Heather Sundin provided the essential financial and administrative foundation that allowed Data Perceptions to build a reputation for excellent business practices and organizational efficiency. With a degree in Communications from Laurier University, Heather is increasingly called upon to manage the distribution of corporate and marketing communications in addition to supporting company’s human resource functions. As an accomplished musician, Heather also brings a valuable creative perspective to an otherwise highly technical environment.

A New Direction

While many factors supported the early growth of Data Perceptions, there were also challenges along the way: during the Y2K crisis, the impact of the marketplace turned and worked against the company when contracts in the telecommunications sector dried up. As a result, Eric and his team made a number of changes to restructure Data Perceptions for success in a changing environment. The most important of those changes was a conscious decision to define Data Perceptions as the source for effective IT consulting teams. As part of that restructuring, in 2000, Scott Murphy became a shareholder and partner and took on the responsibility of marketing and customer relations.

With this significant shift in the company’s focus, a distinctly different approach was called for. Scott Murphy was to be a key element in that new approach. In addition to his consulting and project management responsibilities, Scott focuses on strategic business development, committing a substantial portion of his time to developing the Data Perceptions partner community; because expanding the breadth and depth of expertise within that community is a strategic imperative for the company.

Scott is also responsible for cultivating relationships in the local business community to

• raise awareness of the Data Perceptions team and their service offering,
• foster a positive corporate image, and
• generate referral business.
  

Scott’s ongoing involvement in organizations like Communitech and his membership on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce are examples of Scott’s many community relations activities.

Shortly after Scott joined the Data Perceptions team, Neil Murray also came on board, bringing his unique combination of highly detailed technical knowledge and a flair for managing customer relations. Neil’s technical expertise, excellent project implementation, and natural ability to develop strong relationships with clients, make him responsible for a lot of happy customers and generate regular repeat business for Data Perceptions.

Rita Sundin, the most recent addition to the team, joined Data Perceptions in 2004. She is responsible for many invaluable support functions including maintaining accounts receivable and managing associates scheduling and billing. Working quietly in the background, Rita helps keep things running smoothly so that the consultants and project managers can focus on the task at hand with confidence in their support systems.

Over the years, Data Perceptions has continued to grow and to build on their excellent reputation and track record. Much of that reputation has been due to the caliber of the core staff team, the rest comes from our ability to pull together highly effective, project specific teams of experts. Hard work and determination has paid off and Data Perceptions is now increasingly considered by the local business community as the source for effective IT consulting teams. The company’s commitment to the community has been recognized by the University of Waterloo, The Record, and Junior Achievement, among others. And our contribution to information technology has been recognized by a number of organizations, including Mobility Canada and, more recently, by Communitech, with a Tech Impact Award in 2006.

One Constant Focus

While markets change and companies evolve, some things remain constant. For everyone at Data Perceptions some of those constants include:

• Dedication to understanding your business objectives, challenges, and technical goals; and then applying our expertise to provide a unique advantage in your operations.
• Adhering to professional standards and open and honest communication. If our services don’t match your need, we will tell you.
• Striving to build an enduring, trust-based relationship with every client
• Providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art, information technology services that add value and improve your organization.
• Striving for superior quality and distinctive impact.
• Partnering only with consultants who have extensive IT experience and specialized expertise and who bring unique perspectives to the table.
• Commitment to follow through beyond the project lifecycle - we will be there for you.