In 1990, Scott Raderstorf led a team of people with unique software development and distribution expertise in creating the Eclipse Distribution Management System. Over the next 10 years Eclipse grew to $40 million in revenue with more than 150 employees, and became the market leader in software for Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC distributors.

Robin Merrion was also working at Eclipse developing her own wealth of knowledge in software development and the distribution industry. After 12 years at Eclipse, she went to work for one of the largest Eclipse electrical customers. She realized that most Eclipse customers were not leveraging the full potential of their Eclipse software and would benefit from having easy to use, mobile apps. In 2011 Robin started her own software company, Sapphire Solutions, and started to develop them.

After delivering these apps to some of Eclipse’s premier customers, it became apparent to her that having mobile apps would pave the way for customers to introduce digital automation into their processes in ways that made individual roles easier, people more productive, all while increasing overall efficiencies and company profitability presented a huge opportunity.

Robin shared her excitement for this opportunity, and her vision for a company to seize it, with Scott. He immediately saw the potential and Robin and Scott agreed to join forces. They assembled some of the original Eclipse developers to create an amazing team. Armed with a clear mission and over 100 years of collective experience with the Eclipse software, and the distribution and wholesale industry; Innovo was born.

They started to deliver best-in-class apps that solved tangible problems, all with a “wow factor” into the Eclipse marketspace with overwhelming success. In order to scale the business, it became clear that they needed to add someone with experience and knowledge in technology sales and strategic customer relationships that could complement the Innovo development team.

Once again, they drew on (pardon the pun) the expertise of a previous Eclipse colleague. Drew Mapplebeck joined Innovo in 2012 to lead all sales efforts. With over 18 years of Product and Sales Management experience with the Eclipse Distribution Management System, and leading Strategic Sales Teams, Drew was the perfect fit. His relationships with Eclipse’s largest customers, combined with the capabilities and quality of the Innovo software fueled the creation of an impressive and deeply loyal customer base.

And as they say, “the rest is history!”