[Who_we_are]

Our Story

From our humble beginnings to becoming a trusted technology provider for clients nationwide, our journey is driven by innovation, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to our clients.

[Who_we_are]

Innovation at Our Core

We are driven to solve real-world problems through smart technology and expert craftsmanship. Guided by our founder, Paul Zweifel, we continue to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of today’s business landscape, always keeping our clients at the center of what we do. Keep reading to discover the full story behind Direct and who we are as a company.

About Us

[Our_Story]

Built on Solutions, Fueled by People

From a Basement Dream to a Thriving Business

In March 2012, Paul Zweifel started with a simple idea: help people by solving problems. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for finding solutions, he launched the business from his basement. Before long, it outgrew the space and moved to an office in Dell Rapids.

From day one, the focus was clear—do great work, build trust, and treat every customer like family.

Growing with Purpose

The first service offered was control system migrations, helping businesses modernize and streamline their operations. The small but mighty team—including Patrick Bunkers and Carson Merkwan—worked hard to build a reputation for getting the job done right. After just a few successful projects, word spread, and the company became a trusted name in automation.

As customer needs grew, so did the company. What started as automation has expanded into Managed IT, Software Development, Hardware Sales, Security Systems, and Engineering & Fabrication. Through it all, the mindset has stayed the same—be the team people can count on.

More Than a Business, It’s a Family

For Paul, this company is personal. It’s about more than just work—it’s about people. Whether it’s helping customers through critical outages (even if it means sleeping in his truck!) or watching team members families grow, this business is built on relationships.

Looking Ahead

The goal is simple: keep solving problems, keep growing great people, and keep building a company that makes a difference.

Honest. Hardworking. Solution-driven. That’s who we are.

What Our Clients Think

5

“Really impressed with the new cameras. Feels good knowing everything’s being recorded clearly, and the install team knocked it out fast.”
5

“Can’t say enough about their IT support. They catch issues before we even notice them. Almost no downtime since we signed up.”
5

“Smooth install, and the cameras are sharp, like, really clear. Their tech walked us through everything and made sure we were good to go.”
5

“The automation systems helped us streamline our processes and boost efficiency.”
5

“We were constantly chasing down tech problems before. Since working with Direct, everything just works. Their team is sharp, professional, and fast.”
5

“Direct helped us automate some of our older systems, and it’s made a noticeable difference. Less manual work, more focus on the stuff that matters.”
5

“They’ve been solid for our IT. Fast responses, and they don’t just patch problems—they fix them right.”
5

“We worked with Direct on a pretty complex design/build project. Their engineering team really knows their stuff, and they delivered exactly what we needed—on time.”
5

“We’ve worked with a few vendors before, but Direct actually showed up and delivered. Cameras, access control, clean install, clear communication, and no surprises.”
5

“The PI in the Sky system has completely transformed how we handle data. It’s easy to use, and Direct provided excellent support during the entire implementation.”

5

“We came to Direct with a rough concept. They turned it into a complete solution, designed, fabricated, and fully tested. Couldn’t ask for a smoother experience.”
5

“Upgrading our old SCADA system was no small task, but Direct made it look easy. Their techs knew exactly what they were doing and got it done right the first time.”
5

“We weren’t sure what to expect with PI in the Sky, but it’s been great. Easy to use and a huge help for our operations.”
5

“The security cameras installed by Direct are excellent, and the support team was quick to set everything up and answer any questions we had.”
5

“We use them anytime we need something custom-built. Always solid work.”
5

“Direct provides excellent IT support. They monitor our systems all day and night and have been quick to resolve any issues.”
5

“Absolutely fantastic! Their attention to detail and responsiveness throughout the project made everything seamless.”
5

“Direct helped us upgrade our SCADA system. Their team was very knowledgeable, and they provided great support to ensure everything was up and running efficiently.”
5

“We’ve worked with other fabrication shops before, but The attention to detail in both the welds and layout from Direct was impressive. Will be back for future builds.”

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Partner with Direct

From automation to IT, security, and fabrication—our expert brands work together to power your success. Let’s build something great.