Here we are again at the end of another year, and they don’t seem to be slowing down. Neither is Smile IT though! We’ve had an awesome 2024 of change, growth and progress, underpinned of course by our relentlessly high-quality IT and telco services.
We want to tell you a bit about the journey we took through 2024. We’re proud to reflect on what’s gone down, as it’s been a milestone year in a number of ways. From acquisitions to leadership changes to a surge in new clientele, it’s all been happening at Smile IT (and we’ve even found time for a BBQ cookoff!) Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
Organic Growth
We’ve been on a proactive growth agenda for a couple of years now, and 2024 was slightly akin to climbing onto a rocket ship! We organically grew our Smile IT team to 50 members. This is a significant landmark for us, but even more rewarding is this growth has been in tandem with a surge in new clientele. Businesses across multiple industries elected to choose Smile IT as their technology provider, and that is the biggest affirmation we’re heading in the right direction!
Acquisitions
We’re always on the lookout to expand our footprint and capabilities, and in 2024 we did that through two significant acquisitions. Firstly, we took over the clients of Account Management Australia or AMA. This gave us a platform to deliver quality telco and internet services to a multitude of businesses across Australia, including a large nationwide franchise.
The second, larger acquisition was that of Trimble Networks, an established Brisbane managed IT services provider based in Milton. This is exciting for us because through it we welcome 17 talented staff members to our team, whose skills and experience will help keep us leading the pack when it comes to innovation. Trimble’s notable client base has expanded the industries we operate in and nicely aligns with our vision for the future.
SmileTel is Ready for Take Off
There has been a lot of work behind the scenes at SmileTel. One of the key developments was making the switch to the world-class unified communications platform, NetSapiens. Doing this means we can offer our customers the scalability and reliability they need to communicate effectively in the digital age, without us having to rely on upstream providers. This, combined with the AMA acquisition, means SmileTel is primed to launch as a top-tier telco provider.
Leadership Changes
Glen Scott has been key to Smile IT’s journey thus far, holding the reigns and guiding us through both tricky and exciting times. He’s stepping aside as General Manager, but we’re excited that he’s remaining in the Smile IT fold as a strategic consultant.
Taking over from Glen as our new GM is Tony King, an ICT professional with an impressive track record of experience and leadership. Tony has been heading up our consulting department for the last two years and is perfectly qualified to take Smile IT into the next phase of growth. His attention to detail, personable approach and commitment to excellence mean our team and clients are in safe hands!
ISO 27001 Recertification
ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security – it’s a rigorous, stringent certification that illustrates a company’s alignment with information security best practice. Smile IT has been certified for a number of years, and every year we have to go through a strict recertification process. We’re proud to say that in 2024 we passed the ISO 27001 recertification with flying colours, reaffirming our commitment to cyber security and our promise to clients that their data and systems are protected by world-leading practices.
Overseas Adventures
2024 saw various members of the Smile team take overseas trips to network, relationship build and expand our expertise. These included Matt going to Washington DC for the Ingram Micro One Innovation Summit in November, where the discussion focused on upcoming trends and innovations taking the IT industry by storm. Tony and Richard headed to Las Vegas in September to attend MINExpo2024, the biggest global mining event on the calendar, and Peter and Lauren just returned from Bali where they attended the Canalys Forum for APAC 2024. In May, Peter also travelled to Phuket in Thailand for the annual Acronis Partner Advisory Board, on which he sits.
Celebrating the Smile IT Culture
As a people-oriented business, the heart and soul of everything we do is our team. We’ve created an inclusive and energetic corporate culture where people feel valued and included, and Aussie ‘mateship’ shines strong!
Our team social events this year have centred around a series of Barbeque cookoffs. Different teams took on chef duties for a lunch, with a vote taking place on who’s barbeque hit the spot the best! Fun times, yummy food and only one winning team… well done Tony King and Paul Hamilton!
Gratitude
Everything we do and achieve is possible because of the support of our clients. We’d like to extend thanks to each and every one of you for your support, whether you have just come on board or have been a part of the Smile IT family for many years. It’s an honour to be your partner in tech!
To the talented Smile IT team – what a bunch of legends you are. Thanks for being part of this journey, and here’s to working, innovating and growing together in 2025. Have a safe and happy festive season and a successful new year!
When he’s not writing tech articles or turning IT startups into established and consistent managed service providers, Peter Drummond can be found kitesurfing on the Gold Coast or hanging out with his family!