Thomas Koll (born October 11, 1956) is a technology business executive and chairman and CEO of Laplink Software, a provider of PC migration software based in Bellevue, Washington. Before joining Laplink in 2003, Koll served as chairman and CEO of Infowave Software and vice president of Microsoft's Network Solutions Group.[1] He also was an author and publisher in his home country of Germany.
Thomas U. Koll | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 11, 1956 |
| Education | Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in political science from the Free University of Berlin |
| Occupation(s) | Software technology executive, chairman and CEO of Laplink Software |
| Spouse | Meredith Adami |
| Children | 2 |
Education
editKoll attended the Free University of Berlin where he received B.A. and M.A. degrees in political science. He served as lecturer and assistant professor of International Politics at the university's Otto-Suhr Institute for five years.[2]
Academia and Publishing
editAt the Otto-Suhr-Institute (Dep. of Political Science) Koll was also the administrator for the Center for International Services (Spezialisierungsschwerpunkt Internationale Dienste), which coordinated the studies and programs for international careers in diplomacy and service in international organizations. As part of that he was the lead on the introduction of the ERASMUS program and created exchange programs with the London School of Economics and the University of Sussex.[3]
During his studies Koll joined the Wissenschaftlicher Autoren-Verlag as co-owner and Associate Publisher (1979–84) where he published 21 books on political and history subjects. Among them was Bernd Schimmer's “Recht ohne Gerechtigkeit” (“Law Without Justice”), which described the work of the special courts during the Nazi-Regime violating human rights and furthering the Nazis' racist agenda.[4] After departing WAV Koll founded his own company (1984–88) specializing on city literature and architectural history. The company published four books.
During his time at the university Koll also published four books as co-author or editor. Highlight was the 1988 collection of original articles on the World Bank: Die Weltbank: Structur, Aufgaben und Bedeutung.[5]
Software Industry Career
editKoll joined Microsoft Germany in 1988 and went on to have a 13-year tenure at the Redmond, Washington-based software giant. While at Microsoft Germany, Koll held a variety of sales and marketing positions, including acting country manager.[6] In June 1997, Koll transferred to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, where he was general manager of worldwide business strategy and chief of staff for Microsoft CVP and later President and CEO Steve Ballmer.[7] In 1998, he was promoted to vice president – Network Solutions Group where he was responsible for the company's worldwide business with telecommunications firms, network equipment providers and internet service providers.[8] Koll was instrumental in developing Microsoft's vision for the telecommunications industry and developing strategic partnerships. He predicted in 2000 that “delivery of applications over the internet may be the majority of Microsoft’s software revenue.”[9]
Koll left Microsoft in 2001 to become CEO of Burnaby, B.C.-based Infowave Software, a developer of software for connecting business applications to wireless devices.[6] He stepped down as CEO in 2002 but remained chairman.
In 2003 Koll purchased a controlling interest in Laplink Software and became chairman and CEO.[10] He moved the firm from Bothell, Washington, to Kirkland, Washington. Under his leadership the company released several new products and expanded its focus into new areas including peer-to-peer file sharing.[11] The company achieved sustained success and growth without the need for venture capital funding.[1] Over the course of Koll's time at Laplink, he and the firm have maintained a close partnership with Microsoft. The partnership with Microsoft was extended in March 2020 to offer free and discounted versions of Laplink PCmover software to remote workers who have been forced to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Huang, Gregory (March 8, 2010). "How to Build a Profitable IT Company: Three Questions with Laplink CEO Thomas Koll". Xconomy. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Company Officers". Reuters. Retrieved August 2, 2020.[dead link]
- ^ "Mobilität durch ERASMUS". FU Info (Berlin). November 1987.
- ^ "Signatur 40MA3364". Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
- ^ Catalog record for Thomas U. Koll at the United States Library of Congress
- ^ a b Thomas Koll – Infowave Software Inc. (iw:tse), February 11, 2002, “The Wall Street Transcript”, Retrieved August 02, 2020
- ^ "Microsoft Announces Integration of Dedicated Systems Group Into Internet Customer Unit" (Press release). Redmond, Washington: Microsoft. September 8, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Infowave snags Microsoft's Koll, December 19, 2000, Steven Chase, “The Globe and Mail”, Retrieved August 2, 2020
- ^ John Fontana (13 March 2000). Network World. IDG Network World Inc. p. 88. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ Bothell firm lines up buyer before bankruptcy, 20 March 2003, Kim Peterson, The Seattle Times, Retrieved 2 August 2020
- ^ Seattle Times staff (February 28, 2005). "Laplink lets multiple computers work in sync". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ TecHR News Desk (March 19, 2020). "Laplink Partners with Microsoft to Support Remote Workers". TecHR Series. Retrieved August 2, 2020.