The History of the PTC

In the early 1990s, Effingham, Illinois, resident Scott Kabbes dreamed up a Windows®- based practice management system that fully integrated the front office and operatory functions of dental offices.

To help their dream materialize, the Kabbeses set up a card table in part of the family’s playroom to serve as the first EagleSoft office. The team designed and wrote their Select practice management software package. Everything grew quickly from that point forward. The team’s key focus after the software went to market was to provide exceptional customer service to all of their customers. The group acquired the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Professional Systems Plus, Inc. in 1994.

In 1997, EagleSoft, Inc. was acquired by Patterson and moved to a larger facility. At that time, EagleSoft had 25 employees serving 1,000 customers. The integration of EagleSoft and Patterson didn’t take long due to the customer-centric business models we shared. While EagleSoft software became a product of Patterson, the operations in Effingham, Illinois became known as the Patterson Technology Center (PTC) and remained focused on supporting customers and providing innovative technology to the dental industry.

This week, we are proud to officially open the new 100,000-square-foot Patterson Technology Center. This facility opens with many of the original members of the EagleSoft team, who still hold on to the dream they envisioned two decades ago of going beyond technology sales to provide true value to their customers. For many years to come, the new PTC will continue to provide software solutions, hardware systems and support for the dental industry from where it all began in Effingham, Illinois.

About Post Author

Pam Hemmen

Pam is responsible for operations of the Patterson Technology Center (PTC) and other shared services. Her prior leadership positions have included director of the PTC, Eaglesoft marketing manager and customer support manager. She joined Patterson in 1997 through the acquisition of EagleSoft, Inc., a developer and marketer of Windows®-based practice management and clinical software for dental offices. Hemmen began her career with EagleSoft, Inc. in 1994 as a sales representative. Today, EagleSoft’s operations are known as the Patterson Technology Center, which provides leading-edge technology development and support for all three Patterson business units – Patterson Dental, Webster Veterinary and Patterson Medical.