Insights 50 Years of Microsoft, 50 Years of Momentum: A Shared Milestone with Steve Larkins Ian Porter 6 min read Microsoft 50th Anniversary As Microsoft celebrates half a century of transformation, BoomSpace’s founder reflects on five decades of innovation, adaptability and shaping smarter workplaces. A Personal and Professional Parallel This year, Microsoft turned 50. It’s a landmark moment for one of the most influential technology companies in history. A company that helped redefine how we live and work. But for Steve Larkins, Founder and CEO of BoomSpace, the anniversary also sparked a moment of reflection. At 50 himself, Steve has spent decades navigating and shaping the changing face of workplace technology. “I found myself thinking about how much can change in five decades,” Steve says. “At 20, I was a TV repairman. That industry collapsed. I had to pivot, stay curious, be open. Microsoft has done the same – always evolving, never standing still.” From BASIC to BoomSpace His first encounter with Microsoft came in the form of BASIC – a foundational programming language that sparked his lifelong fascination with the technical side of things. “That was the start of it,” he recalls. “I’ve always loved the mechanics of how things work. BASIC gave you the power to build. That spirit of capability and problem-solving still shapes everything we do at BoomSpace.” Today, BoomSpace works closely with Microsoft’s ecosystem – helping clients deploy Microsoft Teams Rooms, manage users with Intune, and embrace seamless, integrated digital workflows through Office 365. These aren’t just tools – they’re enablers. And BoomSpace has built its reputation by helping businesses unlock their full potential. Microsoft Small Teams Room Microsoft Large Teams Rooms Shared Values, Shared Approach “Microsoft has always been open,” Steve explains. “Their systems have evolved to support whatever hardware, workflows or integrations people need. And that’s the model we’ve adopted too – flexibility, not prescription. Simplicity, not compromise.” Just as Microsoft moved from standalone applications like Word and Excel to the fully connected Office 365 environment, BoomSpace has followed a similar path – evolving from product-based installs to end-to-end AV consultancy, design, integration and aftercare. “We wrap everything – from consultation to support – into one streamlined experience,” Steve says. “That’s what clients need now. And we’re proud to be that trusted extension of their team.” Intelligent Simplicity, Designed for People At the heart of both journeys (Microsoft’s and BoomSpace’s) is a drive to simplify the complex, empower users, and build systems that last. “AV isn’t just about what’s on the wall,” Steve adds. “It’s about the engineering, the usability, and the people in the space. That’s what good design is – intuitive, dependable, invisible when it needs to be, impactful when it matters.” AI, Insight, and the Next Frontier BoomSpace is also exploring how AI can enhance AV strategy – from analysing room usage trends to making smarter decisions about space and system performance. “We don’t see AI as a gimmick,” Steve says. “We see it as a tool for insight. And because we run it within our secure Microsoft tenant, we protect everything our clients value.” He’s particularly excited about what Microsoft Copilot means for workplace intelligence. “You’ll soon be able to ask questions like, ‘How often is our boardroom used?’ or ‘Which departments use it most?’ That kind of insight will help companies rethink how they design and manage their spaces.” AI Copilot The Human Touch That Tech Alone Can’t Replace Steve is clear about where AI ends and human insight begins. “We have real people, real engineers, in real rooms. AI can’t walk into a training room and assess sight lines or audio coverage. We bring that layer of human understanding to every space we design.” This commitment to service, precision and adaptability is what defines BoomSpace – and what keeps clients coming back. The Lost Art of Fixing Things Long before founding BoomSpace, Steve was already knee-deep in circuitry, tools and manuals – driven by a passion for understanding how things work. His love for engineering runs deep, and it’s still visible today through his collection of retro technology: from vintage pinball machines to restored arcade cabinets, old computers, and the iconic Altair 8800 that helped kickstart Microsoft’s rise. “It’s a dying art,” Steve says. “The ability to fix, not just replace. To understand hardware at a component level. I’ve got manuals for machines that most people have never even seen.” That passion feeds directly into how BoomSpace approaches AV. In an era of throwaway culture, BoomSpace stands for thoughtful design, longevity, and engineering that lasts. “If you understand how something works at the core, you can build something better,” Steve adds. “And that’s true whether you’re repairing a pinball machine or designing a future-ready boardroom.” BoomSpace Lab: Altair 8800, Microsoft Teams Room, Digital Signage, MTR Control Panel and Dr Dobbs Journal Altair 8800 – Microcomputer From Local Projects to Global Capability As part of its next chapter, BoomSpace is expanding its BoomCare service to offer long-term aftercare, strategic support, and access to BoomLab, a space where clients can test emerging technologies in a risk-free environment. “The future for BoomSpace is global, adaptable and intelligent,” Steve says. “We’re building future-ready AV solutions that flex with the businesses we support. Our systems scale. Our care continues. And our thinking is always one step ahead. Automated Training and Presentation AV Space Open Plan Flexible AV Workspace BoomSpace AV Engineer On-Site Lessons from the Past, Eyes on the Future Even the Microsoft memorabilia in BoomSpace’s office tells the story. “We’ve got an Altair 8800 – one of the first personal computers ever made. Microsoft BASIC ran on it. There was no monitor, no keyboard, just switches and lights. But it laid the foundations for everything. It made computing personal.” That early vision – of creating tools that anyone could use – still resonates. And at BoomSpace, it translates into spaces that everyone can thrive in. “You can’t design for the tech,” Steve says. “You have to design for the people.” Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation So what advice would he give to someone starting out in AV today? “Don’t limit yourself. AV isn’t just hanging a screen and walking away. It’s systems thinking. It’s human behaviour. And it’s service – before, during, and long after the project ends.” 50 Years In – and Still Looking Forward As Microsoft celebrates five decades of progress and Steve reflects on his own 50-year journey, one thing is clear: progress doesn’t happen by chance. It takes curiosity, grit and a willingness to adapt. At BoomSpace, that mindset lives on. It fuels every design conversation, every installation, and every long-term client relationship. Because the workplace of the future isn’t built on products. It’s built on people, partnerships, and purpose. Explore our AV solutions and see how we can help you shape a smarter, more connected workplace – today and tomorrow.
