AvantCom was founded in 1982 in Spokane, Washington to provide software consulting services. The name AvantCom is a conjunction of the French word "avant", meaning "front", and an abbreviation of "communications". Most of the original consulting efforts were directed toward front-end computer communications and networking.

Prior to forming the company, AvantCom's founder, Larry Simmons, worked for Itron, Incorporated as the primary system architect and developer of Itron's IBM Series/1 based meter reading communications and application software. In 1986, AvantCom began contracting with Itron on projects associated with Itron's T4000 Handheld Computer. As a result of those projects, AvantCom developed a strong appreciation for the T4000 as well as considerable T4000 knowledge and expertise. Consequently, in December 1987, AvantCom became became Itron's first VAR for the T4000.

Soon after becoming an Itron VAR, AvantCom began developing an application software toolkit that would allow timely development and delivery of T4000 and associated PC application software. That toolkit evolved into AvantCom's successful BASE (Basic Application Support Environment) program product.

In 1992 a separate Itron business unit spun-off to form Itronix Corporation. AvantCom has continued to maintain a VAR relationship with Itron and the new spin-off Itronix, and existing applications have been migrated to the newer T5000 family of Itronix products, specifically the T5EFP. Itronix has recently announced an even newer family of products based on the Windows 3.11 operating system, the XC6000 Cross County.

Today, AvantCom is well positioned as an Itron and Itronix VAR to provide datacapture system solutions and associated services to it's clients using the BASE development environment and AvantCom's development experience. AvantCom's effectiveness in delivering solutions as a VAR is further enhanced by AvantCom's close physical proximity to Itron and Itronix.

AvantCom has more than 14 years of experience in developing, installing and maintaining handheld and general purpose computer system solutions. AvantCom is a full service total system solution company providing the following services to it's clients:

• project management
• solution design, development, testing and documentation
• system installation and training
• software maintenance
• system enhancements and ongoing consulting services
  

Handheld applications developed for AvantCom clients include the following:

• radio based field work order dispatching and management
• pre-scheduled field work order management
• power plant management
• sub-station management
• meter test data collection
• tax appraisal
• building inspection
• hydrological monitoring
• log scaling
• generalized data collection