1983
MCS was born
Freelance programmer, Richard van der Knaap, was asked to create a simple rental software program for a hire company that would automate some of their routine hire contracts and invoicing procedures. Once created, news of the solution quickly spread to other local hire companies, and from there MCS Global Ltd (formerly Minicomputer Commercial Software), was born.
Read more about the beginning of MCS in our 'A trip down memory lane' blog post.
1990
Independent User Group
When MCS was 7 years old, our independent MCS User Group was formed to represent the interests of MCS end users. Now, the group manages the MCS Escrow agreement, shares new ideas and helps shape our future rental software development.
1998
Y2k compliant
MCS began to prepare for the Year 2000. While many saw this as the New Year's party of all New Year's parties, for the software industry it meant making sure our software didn’t interpret the year 2000 as 1900! Luckily, January 2000 came and went without a hitch and all our preparations went according to plan.
2001
MCS-rm was born
We took a leap onto the Windows platform with the launch of MCS-rm, the pioneering application that the rental industry took to its heart and remains our core product today.
2003
MCS Cloud
MCS Cloud service is launched and becomes the rental industry's first 'pay as you go' rental software solution. It helped hire companies spend more time managing their rental business without worrying about their IT infrastructure. MCS Cloud has grown in popularity ever since.
2005
CRM - a first for hirers
We launched our pioneering, web-based CRM solution designed specifically to meet the needs of rental companies.
2006
Microsoft Gold
Certification
After much hard work, MCS was proud to become a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, as one of the most highly accredited independent technical support providers. Quite an accolade!
2006
Vive la France!
We crossed the channel and opened our French office in Paris La Défense: the first of many MCS international offices.
2006
And MCS goes 'down under'!
MCS teams up with an Australian Partner and MCS Australia opens its doors to hire businesses 'down under'.
2010
Smarter technology
We launched our Smart Alerts, a facility where customers can be proactively notified by email or SMS, when specific issues arise that require their immediate attention.
2010
Hej skandinavien!
We opened an office in Sweden to serve our Scandinavian clients and prospects.
2011
Guy becomes MD
Guy van der Knaap takes over the role of MD from Richard, determined to discover exciting new ways to innovate in the rental industry and to continue MCS's growth.
Jun 2012
MCS CRM goes mobile
MCS CRM Mobile was launched, revolutionising the way our customers work when on the move. It provides access to customer and prospect data on their mobile devices, maximising their productivity and delivering real-time information to office based staff.
Apr 2013
MCS converts to the Microsoft .NET platform
The version 4 of MCS-rm rental software was completely redeveloped for the Microsoft.Net platform. The development was well received by new and existing customers alike, helping them to continue their investment in future proofed software solutions which will continue to lead the field in technology today!
Jun 2013
MCS celebrates 30 years of success
Happy birthday to us! We celebrated 30 successful years! We grew from a one man band to a global brand. Now we have thousands of people all around the world using MCS-rm every day and we're proud to say we are continuing to grow.
Mar 2014
MCS opens local office in Benelux
MCS opened an office in the Netherlands to serve the Benelux region, where we were able to serve more of our Dutch & Belgian customers and prospects.
Jun 2014
Transport Mobile - a paperless app for delivery drivers
MCS launched Transport Mobile, which offers delivery drivers a paperless solution to manage their deliveries, collections and exchanges and captures e-signatures for proof of delivery.
Dec 2014
Adobe Sign integration
We 'signed on the dotted line' to integrate MCS-rm with Adobe Sign to help rental businesses streamline customer document exchange.
2015
MCS takes on new South African reseller partner
We took on a partnership with South African based CO3 to sell MCS-rm to our prospects in South Africa; the country of origin of our founder, Richard van der Knaap.
2016
MCS Customer Day 2016
MCS invites its customers to the National Space Centre to say thank you for the past year. Hear what its customers said on the day:
2017
MCS CRM integrated within MCS-rm
MCS CRM is redesigned to become an integral part of the
MCS-rm interface. It not only provides a vital sales tool but a far better platform for internal collaboration to meet customers’ needs. A refreshed MCS CRM Mobile app containing additional new features enables sales reps to be far more productive while on the move.
Nov 2017
MCS Customer Day 2017
MCS celebrates the past year at the extraordinary Jaguar Experience venue in Birmingham with its customers. Watch the customer day video:
Jan 2018
MCS releases new RM Mobile Solution
MCS launched its new RM Mobile solution developed to help you manage your business wherever you are with everything you need all on the one device. RM Mobile allows you to view up-to-date live data on your equipment fleet, access documents on the move and schedule actions within the MCS-rm database.
Feb 2018
MCS develops new Telematics Hub
Developed to consolidate your telematics data all within the comprehensive MCS rental management solution. You can now access and analyse equipment location, maintenance, fuel usage and utilisation information all in the one place.
Feb 2018
MCS Telematics Hub wins Innovation Award at Executive Hire Show
MCS wins Innovation award at EHS 2018 for its latest development of the MCS Telematics Hub, designed to help hire businesses harness the true value of their telematics data all in one convenient place. Read more.
Apr 2018
MCS shortlisted for HAE Supplier of the Year
The HAE Hire Awards of Excellence celebrates the incredible achievements in the rental industry. MCS became a finalist for ‘Supplier of the Year’. Read more.
May 2018
MCS wins 'International Tech Company' in the Thames Valley Tech Awards
With fierce competition with other outstanding technology companies, MCS was selected as the winner of the International Tech Company award. MCS now caters for rental companies in France, Scandinavia, Benelux and Germany and has also taken on resellers in Australia, South Africa, Canada and China. Read more.
Aug 2018
MCS is recognised as a ‘Hire Industry Trusted Supplier’ by the HAE
MCS joins one of only a few companies to have achieved the new Hire Industry Trusted Supplier’ (HITS) accreditation from the HAE Hire Association, highlighting the most trustworthy hire suppliers in the industry.
Sept 2018
MCS Customer Day 2018
MCS hosts its annual Customer Day event at JCB HQ. Watch the video montage to hear what the MCS customers enjoyed about the day and why they go along each year:
Feb 2019
MCS launches new E-Sign digital document signing
Designed to help your transform your hire quotes and contracts with electronic signatures, MCS E-Sign lets your customers easily sign documents at the click of a button.
Feb 2020
Hola España!
We opened our first Spanish office in Madrid as we venture further into Europe, serving even more rental businesses in Spain.
Sept 2020
Our first ever Product Showcase Week
As the world embraces digital in the new era of home working, the MCS Product Showcase Week was born. We took to webinars and online discussions to present the latest and greatest developments and features that our customers can benefit from, so that they can take the next step to achieving their goals.
Jan 2021
Howdy USA! MCS opens its first office across the pond
In 2021 we opened our first office in the Grand Rapids, USA. Whilst we already have customers in the United States, this is our first official office where we can provide our USA customers with an MCS team in their own time zone.
Oct 2022
MCS Rental Software makes its bauma debut
For the first time ever, MCS showcased its rental solutions at bauma 2022. Speaking to prospects and customers that had travelled from all over the world, MCS shared its knowledge of digitalisation in the rental industry.
Jan 2023
MCS celebrates 40 years in the rental industry
Serving the rental industry for 4 decades and now with thousands of users in countries all over the globe, MCS celebrates its 40th birthday. Hip hip, hooray!
2023
MCS International Customer Day 2023
MCS invites its customers to Birmingham's Thinktank Science museum to say thank you for their support, celebrate our 40th birthday, and to share exciting updates. Watch the video to hear what our customers enjoy about the day and why they come along each year.
