Why Matrix-NDI?
At Matrix-NDI we value people. We consider our team members, customers and partners to be part of the family. Our business was built on relationships in 1985 by Charlie Eicher and Mike Ellis and while we have grown, our basic principles have not changed - to build and maintain strong relationships while helping our customers stay connected.
While we offer solutions and services nation-wide, we maintain strong involvement in the Twin Cities community.
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DECEMBER 1985
December 1985
Matrix Communications, Inc. (Matrix) founded by Mike Ellis as a privately held Telephone System and Voice Network Company. We began serving and focusing on customers in the Hospitality and Hotel Industry. Our focal point was implementing Hitachi phone systems to our customers by providing complete voice and dial tone network services.
JANUARY 1989
Our partnership with NEC Corporation of America began. NEC is a renowned Information and Communications Technology Corporation that has been in operating globally for nearly 120 years. We are proud to still be partnered with them today as one of the top Triple Diamond Dealers in the United States.
JANUARY 1990
Our partnership with US West began to further our network services offering. US West was acquired by Qwest in 2000, who later merged with CenturyLink in 2011.
JANUARY 1992
Charlie Eicher joined Mike Ellis as part owner of Matrix Communications. Charlie Eicher and Mike Ellis worked together to grow Matrix Communications’ service and solution offerings to cover all industries.
MAY 1995
Network Design, Inc. (NDI) was as created by Mike Ellis and Charlie Eicher. NDI is a Union labor low-voltage and premise security organization that focusses on structured cabling, National multi-site rollouts, Data Center design and deployment, premise security and video surveillance.
JANUARY 1996
Matrix was featured on the “Success Stories” segment of CBS in Minneapolis.
MAY 1997
Network Design, Inc. began offering complete Structured Cabling Solutions. This was the launch of our offering of large Low Voltage and Fiber Optic solutions. At this point, Matrix Communications and Network Design, Inc. were able to work together offer complete Information Transport Systems (ITS) to our customers.
DECEMBER 1997
InfoLine article from 1997 highlighting the addition of Network Design Inc. Click Here to view the full document
MAY 2018
Matrix Communications name one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota
JANUARY 2019
Matrix and NDI merged into Matrix-NDI. This merger allows us to be a leader in Smart Building Technology by blending the expertise of both sides. In addition, we are able to now provide these customized solutions on a national basis. Within the Smart building we collectively are able to offer a full portfolio of services wrapped around Structured Cabling, Cloud and Hosted solutions, Voice and Contact Center Solutions, Telecom choices, Facial Recognition, PoE lighting, IT Networking Design and Deployment, IT Security, Premise Security and Managed Services to support all of it.
MAY 2019
Matrix-NDI named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota.
JANUARY 2000
Matrix began offering data networking solutions. In response to the emerging Voice Over IP (VoIP) solutions, Matrix focused on Data Switching, Firewall Security, Routing and Wireless solutions. Our partners include Extreme Data Networks, Cisco, Aruba, SonicWall and AdTran.
