Our History
A rich heritage of service, strategy, and innovation
1991 - 1999: The Early Days
CSI was founded in August of 1991 by Doug Morris and Wes LaFortune, two engineers who became friends while working for the same Fortune 500 Company. Their first project was a custom software system for a company called Gravure Process. Their first business location was in the basement of Jean Morris, Doug’s Mom.
We eventually moved to another state, and Doug carried on with the business. He expanded into a mix of services that included custom programming, networking, and then a new product offering, iMIS, and with that, CSI’s entree into the association world. Finally, the business moved to Addison, Illinois, when CSI’s largest client at the time, Syr-Tech, offered up some extra office space.
As one of the original iMIS Solution Providers, CSI began implementing iMIS for small to mid-sized organizations. That wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Because iMIS was a Microsoft Windows solution, customers had to first learn how to use this new thing called a “mouse.” On the plus side, users were now able to run multiple programs at once. So a typical first day of iMIS training focused on these two goals: using a mouse and switching between applications.
1999 - 2001: Focus
In 1999, CSI shed its custom programming and networking businesses to focus exclusively on iMIS. In 2000, CSI earned its first Chairman’s Circle Award from Advanced Solutions International, the creators of iMIS.
In 2001, CSI developed its first iMIS add-on product, iMerge. It eventually became one of the best-selling iMIS add-on products in the industry.
2002 - 2005: Customer Satisfaction
2006 - 2009: Products, Products, Products
2009 - 2011: Bringing it All Together
2012 - 2015: Team Building
2016 - 2018: To the Cloud!
2019 - 2021: A Transformation
2022 and Beyond: A New Focus
With a renewed focus on serving existing clients and expanding to new clients, with the CSI team operating as a high performing organization, and with the world’s only Engagement Management System (EMS) as a partner, CSI is poised to drive sustainable solutions and unsurpassed value to the community. Our focus is on making your life easier through the innovative fire that lights the minds of everyone at CSI.
It’s been an extraordinary 30+ years and we are incredibly grateful for everything we have accomplished so far. We look to the future with a great deal of positivity and anticipation. It’s been a remarkable journey, and we’re just getting started!
