Since 1980, this adage has applied perfectly to the business philosophy and path taken at CVS Systems, Inc. CVS began as a small Satellite TV Dealer in 1980, and has grown into what is considered today an "institution" in the Satellite Television industry. This is our historical timeline.

1980 - 1983: CVS Systems, Inc. is founded in 1980 by brothers Jerry and Joe Collins in Marion, Indiana, as one of the first satellite television retailers in the Midwest. Three years later CVS closes its retail operations and relocates into a larger facility as a "value-added" satellite product and accessories distributor. "Service, Support, Price, and Know-How" becomes more than mere words incorporated into the new CVS logo. 

1987: Tom Collins is appointed Vice President of Sales and develops the award-winning CVS Ultimate Sales Training Seminar for Retailers. CVS adds three branch offices over the next two years.

1989 - 1991: CVS expands its product lines, service capabilities and staff of talented, experienced professionals. CVS earns recognition for "Top Sales Excellence" from manufacturers and "Technical Service Excellence and Support" from the Satellite Dealers Association. CVS adds two more branch offices. In 1990, John Collins joins CVS as a warehouse and shipping employee. CVS grows to over 50 employees.

1993 - 1994: After more awards and sales growth, CVS opens another branch and relocates the Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center into the present larger facility. CVS begins distributing PRIMESTAR and quickly becomes the nations "Top PRIMESTAR Distributor". 

1997 - 1999: Founders Jerry and Joe Collins retire. Tom Collins is promoted to President. John Collins, after serving as Sales Rep and Sales Manager, is promoted to Executive Vice President. PRIMESTAR is sold to DirecTV in 1999. DirecTV immediately signs CVS as distributor, and within a month CVS has converted its entire customer base 180 degrees over to DirecTV. This "impossible" undertaking is pulled off due to the experience of CVS's capable staff and the many strong relationships CVS built with its Retailers. CVS once again becomes a "Top Distributor", this time for DirecTV.

2000: After assessing the shift in consumer preference toward DISH Network and the increased opportunity CVS could provide its Retailers, CVS makes the difficult decision to leave DirecTV to become a DISH Network distributor. This decision has proven itself to be visionary. 

2001: CVS continues its record sales growth and increases its customer base. CVS develops the Ultimate Database Tracking System for Retailers, and leads the industry in becoming approved to teach SBCA-certified installation. CVS opens a Wholesale Flag division just weeks before the tragedy of 9/11, and is honored and proud to be able to use their facilities and staff to help distribute Flags, Flagpoles and accessories to VFWs, American Legions, and other civic institutions across the nation.

2002 - 2004: Having experienced the transition from PRIMESTAR to DirecTV and then to DISH Network, CVS finds itself uniquely qualified to successfully manage future corporate transformation. Anticipating the demand and getting in on the ground floor of what has been called the hottest electronic product introduced in years, CVS becomes the Preferred Midwest distributor for XM Satellite Radio and an important player in XM becoming America’s #1 satellite radio service.

2005: CVS celebrates its 25th anniversary in the satellite business with the Vantastic Van Giveaway Contest, a sales incentive program that culminated in the giving away of a 2005 Ford cargo van to one lucky CVS retailer. This van, valued at over $28,000, was complete with DISH Network graphics and shelving for installation accessories. In November 2005, one excited retailer was drawn from thousands of entries and handed the keys to the van.