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ROLM Corporation: A Legacy of Innovation and Employee-Centric Culture
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Founded in 1969, ROLM Corporation quickly made its mark on telecommunications and military defense systems. More than just another tech company, ROLM became a place where groundbreaking technology and a genuine commitment to employees coexisted. For those of us lucky enough to work there, ROLM wasn't just about business—it was about building something together, something lasting.
A Vision Beyond Profit: The Birth of ROLM
When Ken Oshman, Walter Loewenstern, Gene Richeson, and Bob Maxfield founded ROLM, they didn’t just aim to turn a profit—they wanted to change the way companies worked. From the very beginning, ROLM was different. It wasn’t only about making great products, but also about making ROLM a great place to work. We weren’t just employees; we were part of something bigger, with a mission to innovate and create, but also to grow as individuals.
Key Goals:
Make high-quality products.
Provide top-notch customer support.
Build a company that people were proud to be part of.
My Journey with ROLM: The 8750 CBX and a Memorable Team
I started my ROLM journey at the European division, located in a building across Tasman Street. I was young, eager, and determined to excel in hardware design. We were working on the 8750 CBX—a game-changing product designed for Europe. Let me tell you, this was one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with. Not only were we creating something important, but we were forming bonds that lasted a lifetime. People like John Chapman, Peter O'Riordan, Jim Bento, and Michael McLaughlin weren’t just colleagues; they became lifelong friends.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. I remember one particular night when we were burning the midnight oil, trying to debug a tough problem caused by cross-talk interference in the reset signal. I was deep in thought when the lab door opened. At first, I didn’t recognize the man who walked in. He asked me what I was doing there so late, and we started chatting about the setup. After a moment, I realized I was talking to none other than Ken Oshman, one of the founders. What struck me wasn’t just his knowledge of the technical details but his genuine interest in my work. Ken made you feel like your contribution mattered, no matter your position. That’s the kind of culture ROLM fostered—collaborative, open, and empowering.
A Commitment to Quality and Customer Care
At ROLM, we weren’t just focused on building great products; we were obsessed with quality and customer satisfaction. The ROLM CBX, which integrated voice and data systems, changed how businesses communicated. Suddenly, companies could do more than just make phone calls—they could integrate their communications with data systems, boosting efficiency in ways that felt revolutionary at the time.
This commitment to quality extended beyond the technology itself. We were just as dedicated to supporting the customers who relied on our products. Whether it was quick response times or personalized support, ROLM built lasting relationships with its customers—something that really set us apart.
Building a Company Where People Thrived
What made ROLM unique was how it valued its people. It wasn’t just about innovation in technology; it was about creating an innovative workplace. We weren’t boxed in by rigid structures or hierarchies. At ROLM, the culture was decentralized, meaning you were encouraged to take ownership of your work. This freedom let creativity and innovation flourish.
Employee Perks:
Profit-sharing plans.
Flexible working hours.
Comprehensive benefits and health plans.
Opportunities for career growth and promotions from within.
The management wasn’t about just sitting in offices—they were approachable. I experienced this firsthand with Ken Oshman during that late-night debugging session. You could feel that leadership wasn’t afraid to get involved, and they valued your input. That’s something I carried with me throughout my career, and it shaped how I approached teamwork and leadership later on.
The ROLM Legacy: Where It All Began and Where It Is Now
Even though ROLM eventually became part of IBM in 1984 and later Siemens in 1989, its legacy didn’t fade. If you think about today’s tech companies, a lot of the principles that ROLM championed—employee empowerment, open communication, and a customer-first approach—are now standard practices in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Many of us who worked at ROLM went on to lead successful careers in other tech companies. The lessons we learned there—about innovation, collaboration, and how to treat people—shaped our paths and influenced the cultures of the companies we joined.
Technological Innovations That Changed the Game
Let’s not forget the technological breakthroughs ROLM made along the way. The ROLM CBX wasn’t just any communication system—it was a pioneer in integrating voice and data. This laid the foundation for today’s modern telecommunications systems, which are more interconnected than ever.
Key Innovations:
ROLM CBX: Integrated voice and data systems.
ROLMphone: A digital phone system that revolutionized office communications.
Military Division: Developed ruggedized systems for defense, showcasing ROLM’s versatility and commitment to quality across sectors.
The products we worked on weren’t just important at the time; they helped shape the communications industry for years to come.
A Workplace Ahead of Its Time: ROLM’s Employee-Centric Culture
At ROLM, it wasn’t all about work. The company recognized that to get the best out of people, they needed to feel valued. That’s why ROLM invested heavily in employee well-being. There was an on-site gym, flexible working hours, and even profit-sharing plans that made employees feel like their hard work directly contributed to the company’s success.
A Call to My Fellow ROLM Alumni: Share Your Stories!
For those of us who were there, ROLM wasn’t just a job—it was a defining chapter in our lives. I know many of you, like me, still look back fondly on those days. I’d love to hear your stories. What were your favorite memories of working at ROLM? Did you have a moment like my late-night debugging session with Ken Oshman? Or perhaps you worked on a project that still makes you proud today?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s celebrate the legacy we helped build, and keep the spirit of ROLM alive.
Works Cited
“ROLM Corporation.” Silicon Valley Historical Association, https://www.siliconvalleyhistorical.org/rolm-corporation.
Oshman, Ken. Founding ROLM: Innovation in Telecommunications. ROLM Publications, 1979.
Maxfield, Bob. “ROLM’s Corporate Culture.” Harvard Business Review, March 1982, https://hbr.org/1982/03/rolms-corporate-culture.
“Digital PBX: The ROLM Revolution.” Telecommunications Journal, Vol. 15, No. 4, 1980.
"Military Innovations: ROLM's Role in Defense Systems." Defense Technology Review, Vol. 6, No. 9, 1985.
