| Entrepreneur Spotlight - Allen Cook, TourTechSupport |  |  |
| Written by <a href='/my-community/profile/admingreg.html'>Greg Hyer</a> |
| Monday, 10 November 2008 21:19 |
 Headquarted in Raleigh, North Carolina, TourTechSupport was incorporated in 2007 after several years of product development and field testing. Our systems designs are the result of practical application in the industries we serve. We have equipment staging centers in Raleigh, New York, Los Angeles and Birmingham, UK to expedite the delivery of equipment and allow us service clients on short notice. History In late 2003 Allen Cook was approached by a Production Manager whose computer had been compromised by someone on his tour. Although, harmless in intention, that attack was the impetus for the creation of TourTechSupport, an IT solution provider for the entertainment industry. Since most tours at that time were using single, open networks, the simple solution to that problem was to create separate, secure networks for staff, crew and talent. In 2004 TourTechSupport deployed its first wireless networking system on Phil Collins' First Final Farewell Tour of the United States. For the Eastern European leg of that same tour in 2005, TourTechSupport developed and deployed its first IP based phone system with integrated secure wireless access. The systems were rugged and functioned well in some of the most obscure countries throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The concept had proven itself and tours began looking to support more lines and multiple offices. TourTechSupport launched its first IP PBX system on the Genesis Turn It On Again tour in 2007. The tour carried two 12 line systems through Europe and the United States. One was being set up while the other was in use and since the same numbers rang phones in either system, users did not have to keep track of which system they were on. Although an outward success, stringent requirements such as static IP addresses and the fragile nature of the hardware failed to meet the quality and use standards set by previous TourTechSupport designs. A total redesign of the IP PBX model resulted in the based V series Communication Hubs flower river that are currently in use. We eliminated the requirement for static IPs, a requirement many venues are reluctant to meet. We selected new phones that boot quickly and are easy to use. And we developed packaging options to tailor our systems to the tours using them, taking into consideration the amount of truck and office space our systems would occupy. As we head into 2009 TourTechSupport is looking to expand beyond touring and special events. New products are being field tested that will broaden our appeal with our current client base and help us reach into new markets. Please visit TourTechSupport at www.tourtechsupport.com |
