TIM Dealer Services Open New Doors
A software development company specializing in the automotive industry officially opened its doors today in North Sydney. But that wasn't the only good news the company had to celebrate: before the fresh paint had a chance to dry, company officials were busy drying the ink on a new contract.
TIM Dealer Services, an affiliate of TIM Systems of Dartmouth, has been awarded a contract to develop a management system for Autoport, a subsidiary of CN Rail, for an expansion under way across North America.
Earlier in the week, the company's information management system for car dealerships was ranked No. 1 by the DesRossiers Automotive Group. The ranking results from a management review conducted by DesRossiers and Price Waterhouse. More than 600 businesses were involved in evaluating all information systems available in the auto-dealer marketplace today.
"We're thrilled with the contract and the ranking," said Richard MacDonald, TIM president and CEO. "Endorsements such as these will help to open more doors for us throughout Canada and in the lucrative American marketplace."
The company currently employs 23 individuals at its offices in the Northside Industrial Park, and another 45 people across the province.
"TIM's decision to locate here is a testimonial to this island's talent, infrastructure and lifestyle," said Premier Russell MacLellan, who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting today. "We have the kind of mix needed for technology companies like TIM to thrive."
TIM Dealer Services already sells its products in every province in Canada. The expansion will enable the company to push into the lucrative American market.
"This company is providing quality knowledge jobs for Cape Bretoners, adding to the island's growing information technology sector and boosting Nova Scotia's exports," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This is the kind of home-grown success that we're proud to support."
"TIM's success is proof that Cape Breton is succeeding in its efforts to diversify its economy beyond the traditional industries to include those based on technology," said Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia. "The government of Canada is proud to support companies like TIM that are leading Cape Breton into the new economy."
The $4.8-million expansion of TIM Systems into Cape Breton was supported by both provincial and federal governments. Last year, Economic Development and Tourism announced that it was lending the company $1.5 million, Human Resources Development Canada invested $1.3 million through the Transitional Job Fund, and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. provided a loan of $600,000.
The company's software includes marketing, inventory, job-costing, and accounting services. TIM is a PC-based information management system designed to manage the sales and service of any automobile dealership, foreign or domestic. The system is a paperless, single point of entry, open database, year 2000 compliant management solution that retains data indefinitely.