Our History
Continuous improvement. Since always.
Taking a continuous improvement approach to how we do things at Merlot Digital, we’ve evolved from offering enterprise-grade Hosting to the general public, to only offering Managed Servers to a select client-base. During the earlier days of our Hosting involvement was Web/App Dev/Design service, and then Managed ICT too! Along the way, we’ve consistently reviewed the past and present, and refined our business offering to improve – again and always.
2010
Ink Websites
This is where it all began – offering too much for too little! Design including Websites, Applications, brochures & beyond.
It was a great avenue for exploration as it led to a deep understanding of managing simple & complex projects.
We worked with tiny clients & small businesses all the way through to Mercedes-Benz and Red Rooster!
2016
Ink Systems Pty Ltd
As things got serious with staff coming into the company full-time, we incorporated while our office was located on Help Street, Chatswood NSW.
This is where our Managed IT helpdesk was operated from, triaging and resolving issues for clients of all sizes. Architects, corporates & all sorts.
We operated the Domain Names and Web/Email Hosting side underneath the same umbrella as the IT – a single port-of-call for tech services.
2018
t/a LEOPARD.host
Hosting was forked out to the Leopard brand where it was refined over 5 years, ultimately ending with no regular Hosting on sale by 2022.
During our time with “Lenny” our mascot, we upped & moved our office from Chatswood up to Newcastle, based near the docks at Maryville.
From there we’ve been focused on Managed Servers while still offering services like Domains, SSLs & fan-favourite Internet Radio Broadcasting.
2020
The Network Crew Pty Ltd
Right as we were looking to ramp-and-exit the IT space, a bat flew out of a cave… & we sat down to have a long hard think about our game-plan.
This led to consensus to rename the Company and our primary brand, to better identify what we do. Since Ink began, so much had changed!
We’ve since focused TNC P/L as a consultancy of sorts – and operator of infrastructure – while businesses under it further specialise within.
2024
t/a Merlot Digital
With so much focus on Fully Managed Services, it was inevitable that we looked in the mirror and thought “this just doesn’t fit us any more”.
This is where you join us with a celebratory glass in hand, at a point where we’ve finalised the re-brand of LEOPARD.host to Merlot Digital.
Our legacy Hosting was sold to a client of ours! We’ve kicked things up a gear, focusing our attention on core functionality & integrations.