2021 ushers in our 20th year as BITS. Needless to say, we’re delighted to have been delivering on our business dream for two decades now – and grateful for every client that has helped us on our journey to this fantastic milestone.
Over the years, BITS has grown to offer a full range of business IT services, but – like any independent business – we grew from more humble origins.
We may have been operating for 20 years, but the BITS name has in fact been incorporated for 21. The year 2000 saw Gavin Dixon make his move to Kilkenny, bringing with him his ambitions for a new technology business.
A lot has changed over the last 20 years, but Gavin’s beard game was just as strong on day one as it is today.
In those early years, Gavin’s “Man in a Van” approach saw him working as a sole trader, providing quotes and solutions to clients while developing an intricate understanding of their needs. This first-hand experience of the business tech landscape helped Gavin identify our first major service offering: the roll out of business DSL broadband.
It was from here that Gavin began growing the BITS brand, making a name for us among local businesses, evolving the BITS company logo, and subsequently upgrading from those early business cards!
“It actually is hard to believe that it’s 20 years since I started out on this journey. I never really thought too much about it at the time; perhaps starting BITS when I was in my 20’s allowed me a freedom that I might not have had at a later age” – Gavin Dixon, Founder and Managing Director
In 2006, we were eventually registered as a limited company and welcomed aboard our longest running employee: David Dooley, who joined us as an IT Service Technician and is now BITS’ Technical Service Manager, as well as a key driver behind our ongoing success.
David’s desire to learn, his customer focused approach and his influence on the company’s overall tech has seen both the company and David’s career portfolio develop year-upon-year.
Over those same years, we’ve grown to 18 employees and, in 2019, welcomed a new Company Director in Paul Byrne – himself bringing over 30 years of IT industry experience to the BITS family.
We’re delighted to have Paul on board and to see his taste in shirts has improved over his three decades in the industry.
“Obviously, the team that BITS have had over the years are the real reason for the longevity and success. Those who were only there for some of the journey and those that are still with us now, all contributed to our success. Paul Byrne coming on board in 2019 was another step forward in having someone else with a proven track record of building success to come into the business was great”. – Gavin Dixon, Founder and Managing Director
This combined experience, both in the IT industry and the local business scene, has seen us become a key presence in South East Ireland’s IT industry. In 2006, we took over the business IT support side of T2 in Carlow and have also become the official IT provider of the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy and Kilkenny Arts festivals respectively.
Our prevalence and pedigree is recognised by industry leaders worldwide too. Microsoft welcomed us as one of their Gold Partners, demonstrating us as expert purveyors of the Microsoft software range.
One of our earlier appearances in Kilkenny Business Times! The years haven’t made Gavin’s words any less true: “Wireless broadband is great, but you have to make sure it’s secure”.
Over the past 20 years, BITS has demonstrated how even the smallest of ideas can grow into a prosperous industry presence; which is why we owe the bulk of our success to you, the clients. Big or small, we know that we simply couldn’t exist without the entrepreneurs, industry newcomers and established enterprises that make up the South-East business scene.
Thanks to you all – and here’s to another 20 years!
“Being young and naïve helped me to not be afraid of starting off on this journey! And it has been a very rewarding journey. I am still humbled to this day that businesses trust us to help them to navigate through a world more and more influenced by technology. It really means a lot to me. As does the team of professional who work (or have worked) for BITS. Each and every one has allowed us to grow and evolve. Thanks to all”. – Gavin Dixon, Founder and Managing Director
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