Attendees gather at the Joslyn Art Museum for the 50th anniversary
celebration.
50 Years Strong: Highlights From DMSi’sPartnerConnect26 Conference
DMSi’s PartnerConnect26 (PC26) customer conference was a milestone celebration. Held every two years, this signature event brought together DMSi customers for training, connection, and a special toast to DMSi’s 50th anniversary. This year’s conference drew nearly 500 attendees, including 195 first-time guests.
From September 14–17, DMSi customers and vendors from across North America gathered in Omaha, NE, to sharpen their skills, trade ideas, and mark five decades of DMSi’s partnership with the building materials industry.
Fifty Years of Building Together
2026 marks 50 years since DMSi was founded, and PC26 gave the company a chance to celebrate that milestone alongside the customers who made it possible. A dedicated 50th anniversary celebration at the Joslyn Art Museum brought attendees together with DMSi’s team, including Chairman Jim Hassenstab and Executive Chairman Cal German, to reflect on five decades of growth and look ahead to what’s next. Hassenstab and German bought the company in 1986 and made the decision to focus the business on the building materials industry.
Customers connect with their Implementation team.
Among the displays at the museum was a timeline of all DMSi customers since 1976, honoring all the businesses who have trusted DMSi throughout the years.
Henry German, DMSi’s Chief Revenue Officer and a second-generation owner of the company, spoke to what the milestone means for the DMSi team and its customers alike.
“Fifty years in this industry isn’t something we take lightly. It’s a reflection of the relationships we’ve built and the trust our customers have placed in us, generation after generation. Celebrating this milestone with the people who’ve been part of that journey made PC26 something truly special.”
Cal German echoed that sentiment, reflecting on how far the company has come.
“I am extremely blessed to have been on the DMSi ride from infancy to today’s position as the world’s leading ERP for building product suppliers. Every customer, vendor, and team member of the past 50 years contributed to our story. I couldn’t be more thankful for our partners on this journey, or more proud of the services and solutions we’ve been able to build and deliver together.”
CRO and owner Henry German toasts to the next 50 years at DMSi’s anniversary celebration.
Training Built Around Real Business Needs
PC26 offered 80+ classes covering DMSi’s suite of Agility products, with sessions spanning sales, purchasing, inventory, accounting, and more. Hands-on workshops, roundtable discussions, and focused tracks gave attendees a learning experience tailored to their roles and priorities.
This year’s agenda introduced new class formats designed to help customers apply what they’ve learned in real time. An interactive tabletop exercise, led by the DMSi Information Security team, walked attendees through a business disruption scenario in which customers could test their own response processes. The Agility Insider Panel brought together five experienced System Managers for discussion and Q&A. Customers learned from each other with questions about everything from onboarding to multi-branch operations.
In the Agility Lab, customers got early access to features and products in development, with direct opportunities to share their feedback with the DMSi team. Whether attendees came to sharpen existing skills or explore new capabilities, PC26 delivered value across the board.
A timeline of all DMSi customers on display at the Joslyn Art
Museum in Omaha, NE.
Connection at the Core
Networking has always been a cornerstone of PartnerConnect, and PC26 was no exception. Attendees connected with DMSi’s Customer Service and Development team members, building relationships that carry forward long after the conference ends.
This year’s networking events included an opportunity for customers to mingle with vendor partners. DMSi was grateful to have several vendor partners in attendance and presenting their own solutions during classes, sharing how customers can expand their DMSi solutions with offerings for payment processing, financial reporting, data visualization, and more.
PartnerConnect gives DMSi customers the chance to learn from both DMSi’s team members and their fellow Agility users. One attendee summed it up simply: the best part of PC26 was “networking and having the opportunity to speak directly with DMSi staff.”
Customers connect with the DMSi team at PC26.
Leadership Looks Ahead
The conference’s general sessions gave DMSi’s leadership a platform to share what’s next — from the Agility product roadmap to DMSi’s own AI roadmap, offering attendees a look at how AI will shape the tools they use every day.
Keynote speaker David Mead delivered a presentation on AI for business leaders. He demonstrated with a customer how to use a prompt framework for a back-and-forth exchange, engaging with AI as a thought partner.
Josh Weiss, CEO of DMSi, spoke to what PartnerConnect represents for the company as it enters its next 50 years.
Executive Chairman Cal German gives the opening address at PC26.
“PartnerConnect has always been about putting our customers first. Celebrating 50 years alongside them made this event even more meaningful. This milestone is about how far we’ve come and the renewed commitment to keep listening, keep innovating, and keep earning the trust our customers place in us for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Keynote speaker David Mead presents on AI-driven leadership.
Looking Toward PC28
As PC26 wrapped up, attendees left already looking forward to the next gathering in 2028 — and to the next chapter of their partnership with DMSi. Here’s to the next 50 years!
About DMSi
DMSi develops business software exclusively for the building materials industry. Its Agility ERP was built from the ground up for lumber and building materials companies, delivering a complete inventory and order-management system that handles everything from sales and eCommerce through production, delivery, and invoicing. Agility’s mobile apps — including Mobile Sales, CRM, Proof of Delivery, and Warehouse Tools — keep every business process supported in one centralized system.
Founded in 1976, DMSi is celebrating 50 years as an independent, family-owned company, having grown to nearly 350 team members. Its operations, including software development and customer support, are headquartered in Omaha, NE.
Learn more at dmsi.com.
Customers check out new and upcoming features in the Agility Lab.
