An Interview with Mohammed Khurrum, PhD, Exordium Networks CEO and President: “Our Mission is to Provide Complete Technology Solutions to Senior Living Communities”

“Exordium Networks - We are your IT Department”

Even though the boomer population is not retiring as early due to recent recession years, more than 40 million people are expected to retire in the U.S. over the next 25 years. The increase in life expectancy, combined with the growth of the aging population in the US has initiated and will continue to create an unprecedented growth for Senior Living Communities. Technology advancements are changing the face of senior care operations and the traditional senior living model as we know it, is on the decline.

In view of the above-mentioned scenario, we’re thrilled to present Exordium Networks.

Exordium is dedicated to providing state of the art customized technology solutions and services, thereby reducing the number of vendors senior living operations need to interact with. The company’s mission is to provide the technology needed to increase the quality of care offered in senior living communities while keeping the cost low without compromising on the quality of solutions and services.

Exordium was started in 2001 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Mohammed Khurrum, PhD, Exordium Networks CEO and President, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review.

Rewind: Taking Flight

It all started with an idea, a chance encounter, and a conversation that ensued. In 2001, I had a chance to meet Steven Vick, at that time, CEO of Signature Senior Living. He was starting up a few senior living properties – and Steven being a proponent for resident care as well as for technology – wanted a solution to provide better phone service to management and residents.

My passion and education has been telecommunications – the PhD journey gave me a deep understanding and my years working in the industry gave me the field and business experience.

That conversation turned into a solution, a business – Exordium Networks – dedicated to helping the operations take care of residents better.

‘What We Have Learned’

At around the time of our inception, we installed VoIP phones in a senior living community in Paris, Texas. All residents were given new IP phones – with the thought that that was the future of telephony. The reaction of the senior residents? Not as expected!! Some senior residents were used to a phone that they had used for decades and hence, they were not comfortable with the new IP Phones. Needless to say, lesson learned.

Staying Relevant to the Consumer Interests and Needs

Technology, as well as the Senior Living Industry, is ever evolving. We stay relevant by innovating, pushing boundaries, and knowing and relating to our customer base.

We started off as a technology company. As the senior living industry evolved, we saw the need for a “one stop shop” complete technology solutions. With that in mind, and to reduce the number of vendors our clients would have to go to – we expanded our service offerings to include telecommunications, managed WiFi, IT Support, Nurse Call and Managed IT Solutions.

My vision for Exordium Networks has always been to be a driving force in technology revolution; as opposed to solely being reactive. Keeping that in mind, Exordium Networks in house expertise gurus that includes network and database engineers, technical support specialists, and cybersecurity officers aim to  introduce the technology solutions that will be the future of senior living industry operations.  Understanding the sensitive nature of resident data - that it should be private and secure – Exordium Networks introduced HIPPA Compliance services, including Encryption Services - assuring that emails would be encrypted, and data would be highly secure. With HIPPA compliance coming into play, we introduced Cyber Security Officer services.

In all of our endeavors and advancements, we have had a two prong approach - provide cutting edge technology solutions and at the same time keeping it simple and user friendly with absolutely no administrative burden. Yes, you heard correctly, I mean no administrative burden – because Exordium Networks takes it on and becomes your IT Team.

‘Maintaining Our Customers’ Trust and Loyalty’

We believe very strongly that business is done with people – that is Exordium’s fundamental belief and operating system. Communication is the key. Customer Service and being people oriented is at our core. We are not the typical 8-5 business, instead whenever our clients call us 24/7/365, whether it is to ask a question or solve an issue – they always reach a real person that will answer their questions and walk them through a solution. And not only that, we also proactively then follow up with our clients to ensure the “happiness level” with our services.

Many times, because we have developed a comfort level with our clients, they approach us for technology related advice that may not necessarily fall in the “scope” of our services. At that time, we guide them in the direction that would be in their best interest. That comfort, that trust, combined with our proactive approach and innovative technology has made Exordium Networks what it is today.

Leading from the Front

In the Senior Living Industry, there is a constant flux of hand overs and takeovers. Exordium Networks has the skills, experience, and know-how to make the technology transitions seamless.

In the past few years, we have partnered with many clients such as Signature Senior Living, Morningstar Senior Living and most recently with Pegasus Senior Living.

Currently, we are in the process of transitioning with a valuable partner of ours – Pegasus Senior Living – which is taking over 36 communities from Brookdale Senior Living. Exordium Networks will assure for a fast, smooth and low-cost technology transfer, while ensuring that there is absolutely no compromise in the quality care of residents. In fact, in past transitions, and for this current one – we have and continue to aim to incorporate technology that will increase the quality of care of residents while keeping the cost low – without compromising on quality of solutions and services. That is our strength.

Mohammed Khurrum, PhD: A Brief Background

With over 25 years of experience in the Telecommunications and IT Industry, Mohammed Khurrum’s long-time passion has been to make communication in senior living communities seamless. As the founder and the engine behind Exordium Networks, Dr. Khurrum’s mantra is “Business is done with People”. With that belief, the Exordium team is guided towards developing personal relationships with clients and being there for them when it’s needed the most.

Dr. Khurrum previously worked at Sonus Networks and also served as a Consultant at MCI. He has a Doctorate degree and a Double Masters from the University of New Mexico and the University of Memphis.

Dr. Khurrum resides in the Dallas, Texas area with his wife and three children. Mohammed enjoys spending his time being involved in the local community.

“In the Senior Living Industry, there is a constant flux of handovers and takeovers. We have the skills, experience, and know-how to make the technology transitions during this process seamless.”