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Boston-based Zoom Telephonics, Inc. is committed to creating internet access products, like cable and DSL modems and home networking solutions. With its new broadband and easily installed and manageable LAN technologies, Zoom is hoping to exceed the expectations of computer and internet users around the world once again. In 1995 Zoom introduced HotScan as a feature on its Zoom/Voice Fax Modem, enabling a fax machine to double as a computer scanner. In 1996 the company acquired Tribe Computer Works, whose products Zoom will use to connect remote users to local area networks and that same year began shipping the Zoom/MultiLine FaxModem. As of March 1999, Zoom faxmodems were sold in over 5000 retail locations in North America, 7000 worldwide. The wacky wireless world The latest technological innovation for Zoom - wireless networking systems. The company has teamed with Harris Semiconductor, as of December 1998, to bring wireless networking to an increasing pool of end users. Soon, thanks to Zoom, you may be able to dial up your e-mail without plugging into the wall socket. Other high-tech Zoom projects include cable and ISDN modems, modems that use home fiber-optic cable for Internet connections much faster than those currently available. Zoom also sells a Zoom PC Card, which provides fax and data transmission when connected to a standard phone jack, and wireless transmission when plugged into a cell phone. Modems: an old hat resurrected Modems sales plunged in the late 1990s as industry leaders refused to settle on a single standard and PC makers began putting internal modems into their computers. In 1999 Zoom joined the "Lucent Edge" campaign to increase modem sales and promote internet access technologies. Zoom bought modem-maker Hayes Corp. in 1999 for $6.4 million, and began launching new products such as wireless LANs and ethernet networking interfaces. Zoom also introduced a new Hayes ACCURA V.90 PCI Modem with advanced lightning protection. This has helped Zoom maintain its number two spot behind 3Com's US Robotics in retail sales. Zoom origin Frank Manning and Peter Kramer founded Zoom in 1977 to market the speed dialers that Manning had designed while he was still a student at MIT. MCI and Sprint picked up on the product to facilitate dialing the long string of numbers that access their long-distance services. In 1985 Zoom nearly became a casualty of regulator innovation which eliminated the need for long-distance access codes. Sales dropped, but when the company changed its emphasis to making and selling modems, sales rebounded. When Zoom was unable to find U.S. backing, the company looked northward and went public on the Vancouver Stock Exchange. In 1991 Zoom began trading stateside on NASDAQ and three years later entered into the rapidly-growing PC card modem market. For two consecutive years, Zoom has ranked in the top ten of Forbes Magazine's 200 Best Small Companies in America and Top 100 Best Small Companies in the World.
Specific job openings are listed on Zoom's web site at www.zoomtel.com. Criteria for each position are also listed. You may also send your resume via regular mail to the Director of Human Resources at 207 South Street, Boston, MA 02111, or to mhartman@zoomtel.com. "Last I knew," says one contact, "there was only one person in Human Resources." Zoom does not use headhunters or undertake much in the way of campus recruiting, according to insiders; most recruitment is in the form of web site outreach and "ads in the [Boston] Globe."
Much to learn and do at Zoom Although Zoom is a relatively young firm, it is "no place for slackers." The Zoom employee is ambitious, aggressive, and serious about a career. Many are longtime employees "who have been with Zoom over a decade." The hours are "a standard eight daily, with no paid overtime, since the company expects you to meet deadlines within the workday." At the same time, "there is so much to learn and the workload forces you to find time for additional training." We are the Zoom Insiders call Zoom "a miniature United Nations," noting that "the culture is diverse both in terms of personality and tastes as well as race and ethnicity. "Workers are very proud that Zoom is a comfortable place to work for all." The benefits of Zooming Pay is "fair" and subject to increase depending on performance. "[Pay] is okay, not great," says one contact, adding "There are stock options for all employees, but that hasn't been much of a benefit lately." One fine benefit is Zoom's locale in downtown Boston - "you can get partially subsidized MBTA passes and the company is right near South Station, so commuting is as good as it gets. And there are a million good places to go for lunch, especially in Chinatown." The dress is very casual, "particularly for engineers," though "the marketing group has to dress more formally." The summing up "There is a fair amount of pressure" at Zoom, though "people do a good job of venting it in creative ways." One employee suggested Zoom only to people who are career-oriented, "because if you're just looking for a place to work, your time here will not be very fun."
Karen Player Human Resources (617) 423-2836
Fax/Modems; PC Cards
GVC;Hayes Corporation;OneWorld Systems More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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