Reference

Michael Seemann has worked at Secus Data AB since November 1980. In the period from 26 November 1985 until 17 March 1995 he was the managing director of the company, while at the same time being one of the two owners. I acquired the company on 17 March 1995 and became managing director, on which date Michael Seemann became the managing director's right-hand man in the fields of IT and marketing, while at the same time having responsibility for the new business segment Computer Communications. He remained in these roles until 31 December 1996.

During the complete period from 1980, Michael has played a key role in the growth of Secus Data AB to become a company with SEK 106 million in annual net sales, having at its peak around 50 employees. Profitability has been for the most part good. The operations have not only been developed and adapted for new opportunities but they have also been guided through changed preconditions that had a negative impact.

The important results that Secus Data's operations have reached during this period include:

• Development of the administrative software Carat (for Unix systems) and the subsequent marketing operations on the Swedish market.
• Establishing business operations within the field of data storage and data communication with sales to large companies and the public sector.
• The establishment of agent-based distribution of printers, Star Micronics, from completely nothing to a market-leading position in Sweden.
• The establishment of a service department with 14 engineers.
• Taking over the dealership for Kyocera printers in Sweden and tripling the sales within two years.

Michael has extensive experience and knowledge in marketing. He is used to carrying out negotiations, and has considerable knowledge within business law and employment law. Michael expresses himself well in writing, a talent that he has exploited to the full, not least in creating publicity for the company in the mass media. Michael has an excellent ability to become familiar with new areas. He is receptive, analytical and organised. He is logical and result-focussed in his choices of plan of action. Furthermore, he combines deep technical skills with advanced commercial understanding. Michael is creative and takes on new tasks with enthusiasm and a personal commitment. He is also characterised by a high capacity for work and a way of carrying out tasks in a systematic manner.

During the time we worked together, I appreciated profoundly Michael's experience and competence. I also appreciated him as a person. I have found particularly valuable his ability to work in a extremely positive manner for the changes that I carried in my role as new owner and company manager. Michael is now leaving us on his own initiative, and I am happy to wish him every success in the future.

Solna, 28 October 1996
Erik Skog, managing director