Ajilon aims to continue growth in 2008

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Dec 28, 2007 by Martino, Kristina

SYRACUSE - Ajilon Consulting's acquisition of two information-technology (IT) companies in Rochester and Syracuse 10 years ago launched the company's presence in upstate New York.

Although the Long Island-based provider of IT services and software work continues to slowly grow its upstate business with offices located in Syracuse and Rochester, recruitment of staff remains the company's biggest challenge, says Raymond (Ray) J. Szczech, regional vice president for upstate New York.

"Our biggest challenge continues to be, and we anticipate it to be an even bigger challenge in [2008], is finding new top-shelf people," Szczech says. "It is becoming harder and harder to find really good technical IT professionals in upstate New York."

Ajilon employs about 160 in its upstate offices. The Syracuse office employs 92 and generates about $9 million in revenue annually, Szczech says. A majority of the employees are consultants who work from home or on the road. Six administrative employees work in the 2,500-square-foot office located at 507 Plum St. in Syracuse.

Szczech says that despite the widespread challenge of job retention Upstate, Ajilon Consulting averages an employee-growth rate of between 5 percent and 10 percent annually in the Syracuse office. He says finding employees to fill this growth rate challenges the Syracuse office each year.

He has successfully recruited people to the upstate area by offering benefits most consulting companies don't offer, he says. While many consultants are paid hourly, Ajilon Consulting offers employees the option of hourly payment or salaried payment.

Melville, N.Y.-based Ajilon Consulting started in 1969 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Switzerland-based Adecco. Adecco (NYSE: ADO) employs 37,000 people worldwide and generated 20.4 billion Euros in revenue in 2006.

Ajilon Consulting operates in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Szczech says North America's 50 offices comprise a majority of its business. The Syracuse and. Rochester offices are affiliated with Ajilon Consulting.

In 1997, Ajilon Consulting acquired TAD Studios located in Rochester and Syracuse as well as JTS Computer Services Inc., based in Rochester.

"The start of the Syracuse office was a consolidation of several acquisitions," Szczech says. "In 1997 Ajilon did not have a footprint in upstate New York."

Ajilon acquired JTS in early 1997 and TAD in late 1997, Szczech says.

"The acquisition of those two organization in 1997 would probably mark the beginning of Ajilon in upstate New York," Szczech says.

Ajilon Consulting first operated in Franklin Square at 400 W. Division St. in Syracuse until it moved to 507 Plum St. three years ago. Szczech says the company moved because the Plum Street office is a more modern facility.

Szczech began working for Ajilon Consulting 10 years ago as director of managed services. In 2000, he says he assumed responsibility for local branch operations as district manager. In 2005, Ajilon Consulting promoted him to regional vice president.

Ajilon provides both staff services and IT solutions to its clients.

"What we do is support both the immediate and long-term needs of our clients through an array of consulting solutions and services," Szczech says.

Ajilon Consulting offers temporary IT staffing, short-term employment, and direct placement of IT professionals to customers.

The company also offers three types of IT-solutions services. Application development and integration is one type of service offered where consultants develop software specifically for a client. IT quality-management services provide Ajilon Consulting clients with customer service for all its IT needs. Consultants can also design infrastructure for clients such as help desks, server and desktop support for IT needs and questions.

Syracuse's Ajilon Consulting generates equal amounts of revenue between its solutions and staff services. Szczech declined to disclose the names of clients or types of industries they work in, but did say they are all medium-to-large sized companies.

"Our solutions are very custom developed. We don't have a lot of customers; we focus on a select group of repeat business customers," Szczech says.

The two upstate offices cater to clients in primarily Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany. A majority of the work is based in Syracuse and Rochester, Szczech says.

BOTW PROFILE

Raymond J. Szczech

Upstate New York Regional VP

Ajilon Consulting

* Education: Bachelor's degree from Le Moyne College

* Residence: Baldwinsville

* Family: Wife; 13-year-old son

* Year became vice president: 2005

* Favorite part of job: "I most enjoy helping out clients and customers. It's a very customer-oriented business and it's a service industry, that's the fun part."

* Hobbies: Skiing

BOTW FACTS

Ajilon Consulting

507 Plum St.

Suite 102

Syracuse, N.Y. 13204

Phone: (315) 422-2480

Fax: (315) 478-5214

www.ajilonconsultirig.com

* Type of business; Provider of information-technology services and software work.

* Year founded: 1969

* Employees: 92 in Syracuse office