Boundless Depot Speaks Out

By Joan Leotta

"Communication services for the deaf and heard of hearing, by the deaf and hard of hearing" is Robert Rademacher's motto, as software engineer and CEO of Boundless Depot (http://www.boundlessdepot.com). Located in Nevada, Boundless Depot is a telecommunications firm specializing in communication solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing. The company's aim is to provide quality services, including customer service, reasonable prices and customer satisfaction. The firm has a staff of six employees—all deaf—and has plans for growth, including hiring more employees and expanding the operations, including training centers across the USA.

The company started in 2001 when Rademacher's friend came to him with complaints about excessive billing errors on her wireless service. Rademacher saw the problem as an opportunity and decided that it could not be easily resolved, while a much deeper issue existed - commitment of service to persons who were deaf and hard of hearing. This realization was a catalyst to establish Boundless Depot. Rademacher says, "I could call it an expensive hobby, but instead it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity." He teamed up with his good friend, Scott Johnson, who handles the firm's nationwide marketing efforts.

Boundless Depot's Distinction

Rademacher has contributed software and a better way to deliver service based on that software. "We have our own software products (Email-TTY and TTY-Email; Voice-Email and Email-Voice; and RadeIM (Instant Messenger) that allows deaf users to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the USA," says Rademacher. Rademacher was educated at National Technical Institute for the Deaf of Rochester Institute and received his degree in software/engineering. His training, life experience and education are a platform to serve the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Rademacher says Boundless Depot's products differ from competitors and differences are found in features, service and cost.

RadeIM allows users to communicate with AOL/AIM/ICQ/MSN/Yahoo! users everywhere from one's own pager
Good monthly rate of $19.50/mo for 150K characters; and $39.95/mo for unlimited use.
Excellent customer service, due to fast email responses, including live, online Instant Messenger allowing for direct communication.
In April 2002, Boundless Depot began offering free TTY/Voice (outgoing), the first of its kind in the industry.

Spreading the Word

In 2001, the firm met sales goals, confirming Boundless Depot's wide acceptance by the deaf community. In 2002, the company expects to increase its customer base as it implements well-defined marketing plans that include partnering with disability organizations. Partnerships with organizations, such as TOYS Theater, have built a solid foundation for Boundless Depot. "Relationships with dealers, non-profit organizations, and community services agencies have helped build brand awareness," says Rademacher.

The company believes in getting ongoing feedback from customers as a result of service improvements that are continually being made. Customers have expressed their satisfaction in knowing that the company is deaf-owned, thereby providing a heightened understanding to their unique needs and in providing service.

Future Growth

The company plans to increase its reach in the future through technical upgrading and additional enhancements. Rademacher's vision for the company's growth is closely tied to his vision for the deaf community - the ability to interact with the hearing community without restrictions, boundlessly—through the miracle of technology.

In February 2002, Boundless Depot signed an agreement with Motient (http://www.motient.com), the nation's largest data wireless provider, and offers Motient's services through a variety of channels, including its own network of dealers and agents and two e-commerce sites, intensitywireless.com and deafwireless.com.

"We are very pleased to offer Motient's services. Wireless e-mail is a very attractive service for deaf/hearing-impaired individuals and is quickly being adopted by the entire deaf community. Motient's superior network coverage is the most advanced solution available. Boundless Depot is especially suited to provide Motient's services to the hearing impaired community, given our years of experience in selling and marketing to this substantial market segment," says Rademacher.