Vancouver's Micro Com Systems Marks 50 Years of Document Management Innovation

Vancouver's Micro Com Systems has reached a significant milestone, marking 50 years of service in the document management and scanning industry. Founded in 1975 on Powell Street, the company began as a modest service bureau specializing in Computer Output Microfilm (COM), helping organizations reduce processing time and minimize paper-based expenses. This anniversary represents not just corporate longevity but a testament to technological adaptability and strategic innovation in the document management sector.

Initially focused on micrographic services, Micro Com underwent substantial transformations over the decades. In the early 1980s, the company expanded its operations, moving to a larger location off Kingsway and broadening its service offerings. A pivotal moment occurred in 1992 when two employees purchased the business from the original owner, strategically introducing digital services like document scanning. This transition marked the beginning of the company's evolution from analog to digital document management solutions.

The company's growth trajectory included absorbing smaller competitors and relocating to a four-story building in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighborhood. As technology evolved, Micro Com adapted by adding services such as microfilm/microfiche scanning and Aperture Card scanning, ultimately occupying nearly 22,000 square feet of workspace. These expansions demonstrate the company's commitment to scaling operations while maintaining service quality throughout technological shifts in the industry.

Leadership transitions marked the company's journey, with one managing partner departing for the Caribbean in 2010, leaving Craig Hollingum as the sole owner and operator. Throughout these changes, Micro Com maintained its core mission of providing innovative document management solutions to local businesses. The company's ability to navigate ownership changes while preserving its operational focus highlights the stability of its business model and customer relationships.

Today, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services including document imaging, archival scanning, medical imaging, optical character recognition (OCR), large format scanning, enterprise report management, high-speed printing, and specialized capture software and equipment. From its origins in microfilm to today's advanced digital scanning technologies, the company has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of information management solutions, serving as a case study in business adaptation across five decades of technological revolution.