When Montreal’s ACCEO got its start in 1988, it was known as Conceptum. Microsoft’s Windows 2.1 was the gold standard, and a working level of MS-DOS was still a good idea for most computer users.

Now, some 25 years later, the solution provider, which was ranked No. 16 on CDN’s Top 100 Solution Providers of 2011 list, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Through a series of partnerships and acquisitions over the years, the company has changed its name a few times, from Conceptum, to GFI Solutions Group, to its rebranding last year as ACCEO. A constant through all those years though has been the leadership of Gilles Létourneau, who has served as president and CEO since the company’s founding.

The company went through a growth spurt in 2004, changing its name to GFI Solutions Group following a partnership with French firm GFI Informatique, and specialized in the development of custom services for large businesses in various sectors. A number of strategic acquisitions followed, including Accovia, Bell Business Solutions, Fortsum Business Solutions, activeMédia Développement and Tender Retail.

Jeff Jedras – Computer Dealer News