10 Fastest Growing Telecommunication Companies 2016
The Silicon Review
“With offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte and Atlanta, A3 Communications is one of America’s fastest growing systems integrators.”
Founded in 1990, A3 Communications provides a broad range of IT and security solutions for the public and private sectors, including: unified communications; virtualization and storage; structured cabling; enterprise networking and wireless; IP video surveillance and access control; network security; electrical services and audio/visual solutions. Its highly certified and experienced staff offers comprehensive support and maintenance available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since the beginning, it has been the company’s goal to increase the profitability and productivity of clients through the application of smart technology. From its headquarters in Columbia and additional offices in Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia, A3 has served over 2,500 clients across the Southeast. A3’s comprehensive service and innovative solutions have been internationally recognized.
Providing complete systems integration since 1990
In 1990, Joseph Thomas, a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Master electrical engineering program, and the current Chief Executive Officer, turned his knowledge, experience and love for technology into a viable business – A3 Communications. Joe continued to build A3 into the substantial business operation that it is today, with sales in 2015 exceeding $35 million.
Only years after opening, A3 Communications services expanded from software development to data networking and security. Shortly after, the company realized that the voice and data worlds were set to merge, so it became early adopters of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). In 2001, A3’s fiber and cabling division was formed to provide total infrastructure solutions. In 2008, A3 launched the physical security division (surveillance and access control) and quickly became market leaders, serving primarily the K-12 market throughout the Southeast. In 2014, following the acquisition of the Charlotte, NC branch of a west-coast based electrical contractor, A3 further expanded into electrical services. Today, A3 is considered an all-inclusive communications, electrical and Information Technology (IT) service provider able to accomplish every aspect of a technology infrastructure.
Competitively Priced & Communications Solutions
Since 1990, A3 has provided clients with competitively priced IT and communications solutions including:
• Enterprise Networking
• Physical Security
• Unified Communications
• Voice, Data & Fiber Cabling
• Audio/Visual
• Hosted & Managed Services
• Electrical Services
A3 was recognized in March of 2015 as the sixth “Fastest Systems Integrator” in America by SD&I magazine for the company’s exponential growth in recent years, a leap of over a dozen spots from last year. A3 Communications has built a reputation on quality service and products for nearly 25 years and continues to be a leading systems integrator for the Southeast. “We’re committed to using “best of breed” technology as the criteria for the products we offer, and provide a single source solution for the region’s technology needs,” said Joseph Thomas, CEO.
What clients are saying about A3 Communications
“I appreciate the extra effort A3 Communications put into our large camera and access control project. By giving administrators access to their cameras over the intranet, we are increasing visual surveillance and in return, dramatically increasing security. Thank you for helping make our schools safer!” – Michael Poole, Director of Security and Safety Columbia
“A3 Communications knows what they’re doing! We have given complete trust to their team of certified engineers and haven’t been disappointed yet. I look forward to continuing our relationship with them for years to come.” – Braden Stanis, Senior Project Engineer Greenville
Meet the Leadership Team
F. Joseph Thomas, CEO – With a passion for electronics and a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Joseph provides the strategic direction that has led A3 Communications to become one of America’s top system integrators. Following his tenure at prestigious companies including Lockheed Martin and Bechtel, Joe followed his desire to innovate by opening his own software development firm in 1990. Experiencing an impressive degree of success within a short time, A3 expanded services to include data networking and security. Soon after, Joe, an engineer with a keen eye towards future trends, anticipated the Internet-based assimilation of technologies and became an early adopter of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). With the additions of the fiber/cabling and physical security divisions in the 2000s and electrical services in 2014, Joe has developed the company into what it is today – an all-inclusive communications, electrical and information technology service provider.
Brian Thomas, President – As President, Brian oversees the corporate leadership and strategy of A3 Communications, including marketing, sales, consulting and technical support. Brian joined the company in 2006 as Vice President of Sales. After six consecutive years of increased profits, Brian was named President in 2012. Under his leadership, A3’s reputation flourished and the firm quickly became an internationally recognized and award-winning system integrator. Prior to joining A3, Brian held various sales and management roles in the telecommunications and mortgage industries throughout Atlanta, Georgia. Brian is also an Honor Graduate of the United States Marine Corps and a graduate from Leadership Columbia – a program where he worked and studied with an elite team of South Carolina’s brightest business leaders.