From selling computers to selling SAAS

Arno Been (65) could easily be called Mr. Comvio. Arno celebrated 25 years of service in July, but that’s just one way to look at it: he’s actually been involved for much longer. Time to share his experiences at Enovation! 

What is your role at Enovation?

“Within Enovation Comvio, I am the operational manager, responsible for planning, sales, purchasing, invoicing, contract management, and all other operational matters.”

How did you find your way to Enovation?

“After completing my HTS degree in Architecture in the late ’70s, there was no work in construction. I then started working at Beter Horen. I began as a hearing aid specialist and eventually became the manager of commercial services. I was responsible for automation, trade fairs, shop fittings, and equipment. As a hobby, I was already into programming. I had put together a program for calculating hearing aid reimbursements. It became increasingly complicated due to changes with health insurers. Eventually, the program was used by all Beter Horen and other shops.”

As a hobby, I was already into programming.

“Enovation Comvio is a company that provides computers, IT infrastructure, and support services to healthcare institutions such as GP practices and paramedical practices. Enovation Comvio originally started as a spin-off from Beter Horen. Beter Horen was therefore Comvio’s first customer. That’s how I ended up at Comvio via Beter Horen in July 1999, and eventually also at Enovation.”

Could you talk us through your journey at Enovation?

“Because Enovation Comvio supplies and installs hardware, it has always been a bit of an odd one out. The IT world is, of course, always in motion; it constantly changes. When I started at Comvio, we had a huge space with shelving units full of equipment. PCs, monitors, keyboards, cables, we had everything in-house. The nature of the company has changed significantly over time, keeping up with the times. We visit customers less and less physically because equipment simply breaks down less often than it used to.”

“It is thanks to Enovation’s acquisition of Comvio that we still exist. In the past, you sold a computer with a decent margin. At some point, the prices of all computers were available on the internet, and there was no margin left to earn anything. Nowadays, you sell added value. We take care of the customers. In the past, you personally went to a customer to perform an update. Now the computer does it itself. If a customer doesn’t want that, we can do it remotely.”

What is the origin of the name Comvio?

“What does the name Comvio mean? I know two versions… First of all, it is a Dutch abbreviation. It stands for ‘COMputer Verkoop, Installatie en Onderhoud (COMputer Sales, Installation, and Maintenance). But nowadays we are likely to use ‘COMputers, Visie, Innovatie en Ontwikkeling’ (COMputers, Vision, Innovation, and Development). The last one is more in line with the service we provide nowadays.

What are you most proud of?

“I really enjoy being involved in different things. To deal broadly with hardware and software. I’m actually quite proud of the way Enovation Comvio has adapted to new developments. From selling workstations to providing services. And of the success of the Comvio Cloud. When we started, we had three servers in a rack at a nearby data centre. We hoped it would become 25 users… But it became a few thousand on more than 125 servers! We showed it at trade fairs, and everyone wanted the cloud solution.”

I really enjoy being involved in different things.

What do you do in your spare time?

“I have a son, Maarten, and a daughter, Esther. After my son was born, I became interested in genealogy. I managed to debunk a family myth that my surname actually comes from the English O’Brien… Eventually, I found researching family trees so enjoyable that I started a small business: DNA-Hunters. I also have a grandson, Akif, and live with my wife Carin in Winterswijk. Additionally, I am on the examination committee for Technology & Informatics at ROC Het Graafschap College. In my spare time, I am also a spiritual caregiver at the Apostolic Society and try to exercise more…”

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