Automated Business Solutions Technology Summit AMPs Up

By Mark Berger

Warwick-based Automated Business Solutions will hold its annual Technology Summit on Wednesday, March 15, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion Center in Providence. Those who attend may stay to watch the Providence Bruins Hockey game at 7:05 p.m.

This will be the second consecutive year The Summit will be held at The AMP Center (previously, the Dunkin Donuts Center). Previous Summits were held at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

This year’ Summit will be one similar to last year. Funds raised from this event will be given to charity. ABS Co-Founder and President, Alan Albergaria, lost his life on March 27, 2020, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver while out for a walk. As a result of this tragic loss, proceeds from their raffles and silent auction that night will benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in his memory.

ABS Company President Mike Ardry said, “It is hard to believe that it has been almost three years since we lost Alan. The world has changed due to Covid, supply chain issues, and rate increases. ABS has weathered all of that because of the amazing team Alan built. We continue to live his legacy.”

The Technology Summit features several of the company’s preferred vendors who will display, demonstrate, and share the latest innovations for the office. Guest speakers will also deliver news regarding the industry; including trends and machines hitting the market. A very special guest will be announced soon! Additionally, there will be chances for guests to win some wonderful prizes. Raffles and door prizes will be available. In the past, big-ticket items including flat-screen televisions, Keurig Coffee Makers, wireless headphones, and iPads have been up for grabs. The Providence Bruins donated team autographed apparel.

With Automated looking to raise money this year, they will be selling raffle tickets at the door. Tickets are $5 for 1, $10 for 3, and an armful for $20. All proceeds will be donated to benefit MADD, in honor of Alan.

Other festivities are being planned for that night. Details are forthcoming, according to Ardry.

Registration for the event is free, but space is limited.

Ardry said their event is fun and informative for those looking to streamline their office solutions into the new year.

“We partner with a diverse group of companies that are able to be on the cutting edge of technology,” he said. “These products and services are done with the small business in mind. People are looking to save money, and with our knowledge and expertise, we are all able to provide quality service and products for short-term and long-term goals.”

In 1992, Alan Albergaria and Robert Maceroni started Automated Business Solutions with a vision to form a company built on a firm foundation of trust, fairness, and integrity that would offer comprehensive office productivity solutions to businesses of all sizes.

For over three decades, Automated Business Solutions has experienced remarkable growth and success. This is a result of the company’s steadfast and unwavering commitment to its original vision.

Their mission is to create long- term partnerships by providing office technology solutions and IT managed services that improve our client’s workflow, efficiency, and profitability.

Their vision is to be New England’s office technology solutions and managed services provider of choice. From the local New England office to the National Fortune 500 company, their business philosophy and services offered reinforce their commitment to their customers, employees, and community at large.

They provide organizations the ability to print, copy, scan, and access information effectively. Sales and service professionals work together to provide and support office solutions that maximize your company’s daily workflow and productivity related to document output and network communication. Their corporate office is located on 415 Kilvert St., and they also have offices in Connecticut, South Carolina, and throughout Massachusetts.

For more information about the Automated Business Solutions Technology Summit, please contact Sales and Marketing Director Jennifer Thomson at: 800-832-2729, extension 135 or by email at: jthomson@absne.com.

Dolly Towne has Many Reasons to Celebrate in 2023!

A new endeavor, grand opening and rebranding marks a monstrous start to her year.

by Mark Berger

Four years ago, Dolly Towne found herself at a crossroads.

She held a comfortable job working as a payroll tax analyst at an established company. She and her husband later welcomed their son into the world. It would be a tug-of-war between raising their newborn and continuing to work on site. After much thought and discussion, Towne decided to leave her job and strike out on her own—while raising her son.

The result became the formation of Bookkeeping Towne, LLC., based in East Providence, in 2019. She offers bookkeeping services for various small businesses. While she maintains a diverse clientele, Dolly’s primary clients came from the food industry. Towne found those particular clients had plenty going on besides dealing with the financial side of their respective businesses.

She opened her office initially on the Wampanoag Trail before choosing to work from home and also raising her son. After some time, she felt it was time for a change.

“Working from home, I was in the basement that had no windows or sunlight. There was no ambiance. I had to do most of my meetings via Zoom, and it wasn’t the best setting. That’s when I knew finding a new office became a priority,” she said.

That idea turned into a reality this past October. Towne moved into her new office space on 1019 Waterman Avenue in East Providence. Towne found the spot and fell in love with the space, which includes a conference room to hold meetings, plenty of space to hold events and—yes—plenty of windows to not feel so claustrophobic.

Another benefit there is a room large enough to bring her son to either play or hang out. The office also has a small kitchen. There are some cosmetic changes Towne will work on before her Grand Opening event on Friday, March 3rd.

Sponsored by The East Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Opening will not only unveil the new location of Bookkeeping Towne, but she will also unveil the name of her new division within her business! She is keeping that a secret until event night. However, she noted that the move comes from her expansion of clients in the food industry.

It will be quite an affair, Towne said. There will be food offered by The Mosaic Table of Warren as well as cash raffles, door prizes and special guests. The cash raffles will honor two non-profit organizations. Towne credits Hope & Main, a Warren-based company devoted to empowering an inclusive community of entrepreneurs to jumpstart and cultivate thriving food businesses, for getting her clients initially. Also, We Share Hope, a Rumford-based organization that provides food and other necessities for those who need it most in the community, as a helpful resource.

Towne hopes business owners and leaders will help celebrate her milestones.

“I have experienced gradual growth since striking out on my own in 2019,” Dolly said. “This is a culmination of all of the hard work that so many people have done to help me achieve my goals. It would be wonderful to see some familiar faces, along with anyone looking for bookkeeping services. The new division would be of particular interest in the food business: from food markets and caterers to distributors and merchant service providers. It gives them a chance to see how I can help them put one important part of their day in good hands.”

Because of this undertaking, Towne said that she is looking for anyone interested in either sponsoring the event and/or donating items as door prizes. For sponsoring, it will include such benefits as event signage, speaking opportunities at the event, and social media mentions. Some companies such as a linen supply company, a dessert or cake shop, a supply store, may benefit from the additional exposure. As for raffle items, Dolly said no donation is too small or inexpensive to make a difference.

“It doesn’t matter how you help out,” she said. “You will leave with a full heart knowing that you will be helping other people in the community that are struggling to get by.”

Bookkeeping Towne, LLC, offers an array of packages and services that includes monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks Tutorials, Sales Tax Management, Payroll services, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Management, Monthly Financial Statement Reviews, Budgeting & Forecasting and Inventory Management (thanks to Covid).

With the expansive growth with its food business clients, she will be rebranding a division of Bookkeeping Towne specifically to the food industry along with it being her 4th anniversary!

As she puts it, “I want to educate and support your food business as you grow and expand by sharing my knowledge and tips with you. Together, we will work to collaborate on your goals, what you want for your business, and how we can achieve them.”

For more details about the event, Dolly’s services and other information, please contact her at 401-474-5229 or dolly@bookkeepingtowne.com.