Innovation & Job News

Vision Computer Solutions hires 4 to fill new Northville space

Metromode Thursday, April 11, 2013

Vision Computer Solutions practically doubled its staff over the last year, prompting the IT firm to move to a bigger office in downtown Northville.

The 18-year-old firm has expanded its staff to 11 employees after bringing four more people onboard in the last 12 months. Two of those hires happened this month with the addition of a marketing professional and systems engineer. They are now in the company's 3,000-square-foot office, which is three times the size of its old headquarters.

"We knew we were going to have to find a bigger spot," says Peter Marsack, vice president of consulting for Vision Computer Solutions. "The need hit us quicker than expected."

Vision Computer Solutions specializes in providing IT services for small-to-medium-size businesses, primarily in Metro Detroit. It has enjoyed 25 percent revenue growth over each of the last four years, a streak Marsack calls both "very good" and "consistent and predictable."

"We really have found our vertical in small businesses under 100 employees in southeast Michigan," Marsack says. "We have really branded ourselves as the small business technology experts."

Source: Peter Marsack, vice president of consulting for Vision Computer Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

DataFactZ adds 110 people, looks to hire 10 more now

Metromode Thursday, March 21, 2013

The demand for more bandwidth and expertise in the IT and data management industries has risen sharply with the economy, which is good news for a business like DataFactZ.

The Northville-based firm specializes in data-warehousing and IT services. Its revenue has spiked 30 percent, enabling it to hire 110 people over the last year. It now has a staff of 500 employees and a few interns. It is currently looking to hire another 10 people.

"We had tremendous growth last year," says Sridhar Kodati, vice president of DataFactZ. "We added many clients, like Meijer.

This is helping good companies like DataFactZ that are in the right place at the right time to grow exponentially. Kodati expects to notch another 30-40 percent growth this year as the company continues to attract more clients and staff.

"The trend has been increasing day by day," Kodati says. "The industry needs more resources, so a lot of companies are looking to us."

Source: Sridhar Kodati, vice president of DataFactZ
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

OPS Solutions expands to Novi to accommodate growth

Metromode Thursday, January 10, 2013

OPS Solutions is making the move from Northville to Novi to make room for its growing staff. The industrial-automation company also recently struck a deal with the Michigan Economic Development Corp to expand its office by 25 people within three years.

The 6-year-old firm has hired four people in the last year, expanding its staff to six. The company expects to continue hiring in 2013.

"We're growing aggressively," says Chris Bala, vice president of sales & marketing for OPS Solutions. "We certainly expect our growth to beat that goal by a healthy margin."

OPS Solutions is launching a new visual guiding system that directs workers using visual display features anywhere on a work station surface. The intention is to improve quality, productivity, and training efficiency.

"We call it a visual work-flow system," Bala says. "It's applicable to many different industries in Metro Detroit."

OPS Solutions is investing approximately $268,000 and, as a result, has been awarded a Michigan Business Development performance-based grant of $400,000. The city of Novi is offering support to the project including city and county staff time, use of public facilities for meetings and other support.

Source: Chris Bala, vice president of sales & marketing for OPS Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Spider9 grows to a staff of 12 in little more than one year

Metromode Thursday, December 06, 2012

Spider9 sees the growth potential in green technologies, such as alternative energy and electric automobiles, and it's capitalizing on them with new battery technology spun out of the University of Michigan.

"It's a battery-based technology where you could control the voltage and wattage that comes off the cell," says Glynne Townsend, CEO of Spider9. "It saves money and improves reliability."

Spider9's technology is known as OS Energy. It improves the energy output, life and reliability of renewable energy systems by optimizing the performance and efficiency of all components of the system ultimately increasing system life, and reliability while reducing cost.

The 1-year-old start-up is working with the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer and is based in Northville. It now employs 12 people and is in the process of commercializing the technology. It is now testing it with what Townsend described as a "large Edison utility."

Source: Glynne Townsend, CEO of Spider9
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

DataFactZ hires 12 as it continues Northville expansion

Metromode Thursday, November 15, 2012

DataFactZ has enjoyed a growth trend since it opened its doors for business nine years ago. The data-warehousing-and-IT firm has seen double-digit revenue increases in each of those years, including nearly 30 percent growth over the last year.

Propelling that growth is expanded business with some big local corporate names, such as Meijer and Domino's Pizza. It's IT work has helped those companies tweak their business models to become more efficient and profitable.

"The reason we are able to grow is because of the total quality of the projects we deliver," says Krishna Kallakuri, vice president of DataFactZ.

DataFactZ recently hired 12 people in Michigan, most of which are at its Northville headquarters. The company is looking to acquire a similar firm of similar size in Michigan in 2013 to complement its organic growth.

"We are projecting steady growing and more project growth in the next six months," Kallakuri says.

Source: Krishna Kallakuri, vice president of DataFactZ
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Vision Computer Solutions looks into bigger offices in Northville

Metromode Thursday, May 10, 2012

The evolution of Vision Computer Solutions continues. A few years ago the Northville-based IT firm switched its business model from a per-item/hourly rate for IT work to a flat fee for complete support services. Today it has taken to peddling its expertise to grow its business.

"We had to become something much more than a company you call if your corporate system is not working," says Peter Marsack, vice president of business development for Vision Computer Solutions. "We're not as much as a firefighter as a high-level consultant."

Vision Computer Solutions has grown its revenue by 30 percent, allowing it to hire two people over the last year. It now employs 10 people and is interviewing another person. It is also planning to add interns. The company plans to add another 3-4 people over the next 12 months.

The company is also looking at taking on bigger offices, probably in Northville, over the next year. "We're bursting at the seams here," Marsack says.

Source: Peter Marsack, vice president of business development for Vision Computer Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Northville-based DataFactZ creates 85 jobs on double-digit growth

Metromode Thursday, April 26, 2012

Double-digits has become an important phrase to DataFactZ in recent years. The Northville-based international data warehousing company has enjoyed double-digit revenue gains (35 percent) in the last year while hiring 85 people at the same time.

"Our growth rate has been very consistent and 2012 looks very promising for us," says Krishna Kallakuri, CEO & co-founder of DataFactZ. "2012 looks very promising to us."

DataFactZ specializes in data warehousing and IT consulting work. It counts major corporations like Walt Disney Co and Amway as clients. It has grown from a handful of people when it started a decade ago to 375 around the world today.

"We keep adding people on a consistent basis," Kallakuri says.

Kallakuri expects his company to continue adding people and growing at the same rate. He is projecting his firm's revenue to go up 30-40 percent over the next year.

Source: Krishna Kallakuri, CEO & co-founder of DataFactZ
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Level One Bank opens up $100M for local small biz loans

Metromode Thursday, July 21, 2011

Level One Bank is making a pool of $100 million worth of loans available to local small businesses.

The Farmington Hills-based bank will consider working capital loans and owner-occupied real estate mortgages of up to $10 million. Real-estate investment loans are not included. It considers businesses with less than $50 million in revenues to be small businesses and eligible for this new pool of money.

"The lending will be focused on the businesses in our area," says Patrick Fehring, president & CEO of Level One Bank.

The three-year-old bank has been growing at an exponential rate in its first few years. It now has branches in Ferndale, Birmingham, Northville, Clinton Township, and two in Farmington Hills. It employs 86 people after adding 32 positions year-to-date.

"We're hiring fast and furious," Fehring says.

For information on the loans, please contact Jeff Taliscka at (248) 737-3154 or jtalicska@levelonebank.com.

Source: Patrick Fehring, president & CEO of Level One Bank
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Vision Computer Solutions revenue jumps 60%, 5 more hires planned

Metromode Thursday, June 30, 2011

Vision Computer Solutions' new business model is gaining traction on the uphill growth chart.

The 16-year-old company has watched its revenue increase 60 percent over the last year and added four positions. It has one open job for an advanced network engineer. The company also just opened an office in downtown Ann Arbor to take advantage of the business opportunities in that emerging technology area. It hopes to find another 30-35 clients over the next year and add five more jobs.

"It's been very consistent and steady growth for us," says Peter Marsack, vice president of business development for Vision Computer Solutions. "That has allowed us to maintain a high level of growth for our clients. I see that continuing."

Vision Computer Solutions has a new business model, switching from a per-item/hourly rate for IT work to a flat fee for complete support services almost three years ago. The company initially lost a few customers when it made that switch but has since found numerous others to take their place.

"It brings these news businesses a way to fix their IT budgets," Marsack says. "They are much more appreciative of that model."

Source: Peter Marsack, vice president of business development for Vision Computer Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Oakland County Medical Main Street now $61M program; 45,000 jobs to come

Metromode Thursday, April 07, 2011

A now 3-year-old Anderson Economic Group study called for the health-care and life science sector to be the fastest-growing in Oakland County, prompting it to create the Medical Main Street program to encourage investment. That prediction is beginning to ring true today.

The Oakland County Medical Main Street program scored investments totaling $34.8 million from five companies either moving or expanding in the county in the first quarter of this year. This contributed to the creation or retention of more than 1,000 jobs. Fifteen companies have put $61 million into Medical Main Street since it was founded in 2008, a trend Oakland County officials expect to continue as the economy rebounds.

"We're seeing this accelerating," says David Schreiber, chief strategist for Oakland County Economic Development. "This is trending upward."

Among the recent investments are $3.7 million (162 new jobs) from Ascendant MDx for a new clinical laboratory for diagnostic tests in Farmington Hills and $28 million (640 new jobs) from health-care info tech provider CareTech Solutions to complete the second phase of its expansion project.

Oakland County already had a strong base in the health-care and life sciences industries. The 2008 study shows approximately 93,000 jobs at about 4,300 life science and medical facilities there. About 45,000 more positions are expected over the next 10 years.

Source: David Schreiber, chief strategist for Oakland County Economic Development
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Prime Studios focuses on mobile, web apps; looks for first hire

Metromode Thursday, March 03, 2011

Prime Studios is now just Prime, a reflection of the start-up's efforts to refocus on mobile and Internet applications.

The downtown Northville-based firm got its start three years ago when a couple of 20-somethings (Kettering University graduates Matt Gaidica and Brad Birdsall) wanted to open an all-purpose creative studio that did everything from software applications to digital media work. After doing a plethora of apps for smart phones and websites, the partners knew they were onto something.

"We want to get into a heavy niche and focus on that," Gaidica says. "These are the things we're really into and good at."

Prime has watched the demand for its services jump in the last year, as it created apps for Adrian College and a mobile website for Kettering University. The studio has taken on more custom work since then and is getting ready to add its first employee.

"We have always had room for 1-2 more people," Gaidica says. "We just need to find the right person."

Source: Matt Gaidica, co-owner of Prime
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Oakland County announces cloud computing, Wi-Fi initiatives

Metromode Thursday, February 03, 2011

Oakland County is making more and more of its IT and tech services wireless, according to County Executive L Brooks Patterson in his State of the County speech on Tuesday.

Oakland County will introduce a cloud computing initiative where it will conduct its own IT services through the cloud computing platform, and offer the services to local municipalities. The new program will eliminate the need for each local government entity to have its own servers and applications, instead accessing the county's for a nominal fee. The first offering will be Oakland County's eHealth software.

The county is also revamping its Wireless Oakland initiative with a new partnership with Frankenmuth-based Air Advantage. The 8-year-old Internet provider will provide Wi-Fi services to communities in northern Oakland County, utilizing the county's towers. In exchange for selling these services, Air Advantage will provide free wireless Internet in some downtowns, starting with Holly, Oxford and Clarkston. More communities will be announced later this year.

"Our philosophy is all people should have access to the Internet," says Scott Zimmer, president of Air Advantage. "The Internet is becoming a necessary utility like electricity or water."

Making this deal possible is a $64 million grant from the federal stimulus package. The grant is meant to help Air Advantage make Internet services available in underserved areas within a 13-county section of eastern Michigan. That section stretches from Bay County to the north, Shiawassee County to the west and Oakland County to the south.

Source: Oakland County and Scott Zimmer, president of Air Advantage
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Oakland Co Medical Main St hits $21M in investment

Metromode Thursday, January 13, 2011

Oakland County's Medical Main Street notched a strong 2010, attracting $21 million in investment that retained or attracted about 600 jobs.

The Medical Main Street program began in 2008 as a tool to help diversify Oakland County's economy by growing the health-care and life-science industries. Those industries represent 93,000 jobs today and are expected to create 45,000 new jobs over the next decade. The program helped six companies relocate or expand their operations in Oakland County.

"In the next couple of months you'll hear about more companies moving into the area," says Irene Spanos, senior business development representative for the Oakland County Economic Development Team. "We have a lot of projects in the pipeline."

This year's totals are up from four deals worth $5.2 million in investment that took place in 2009. Spanos is expecting an even better 2011. She points to Oakland University's new medical school opening this year and its new stem cell center as reasons for optimism.

"This is going to be a good resource for us," Spanos says. "We can build on that."

Source: Irene Spanos, senior business development representative for the Oakland County Economic Development Team
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Vision Computer Solutions revamps biz model, finds new clients

Metromode Thursday, November 11, 2010

Vision Computer Solutions revisited its business model a couple of years ago and is reaping the rewards of the changes with new clientele and a few more hires.

The downtown Northville-based firm originally focused on the traditional computer industry model of charging time and material for fixing IT problems. It then became a full-management service provider, offering its services at a fixed low cost to its clients. The change lost the company some of its customers but ended up bringing in more through its front door.

"Once we implemented the change, we saw a different sort of client come in," says Peter Marsack, vice president of Vision Computer Solutions. "Clients who recognized the value of their technology."

Vision Computer Solutions' client list of 70-80 firms now consists mainly of those with 20-30 employees. It expects to add another 30-40 clients, primarily in the Midwest, over the next year. This has allowed the 15-year-old company to add three jobs, which brings headcount to 12 people. It expects to add a couple more employees over the next year as it break into new markets in Ohio, along with western and northern Michigan.

Source: Peter Marsack, vice president of Vision Computer Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Tera Networks doubles sales on growth in IT management

Metromode Thursday, November 04, 2010

Tera Networks has its feet on firm ground and is moving forward, thanks to increased sales and more staff.

The Northville-based IT business specializes in IT management, Internet hosting, and disaster recovery for electronic files. Its sales doubled in 2010, with four new customers in a variety of sectors. That has allowed it to add two more people, growing its staff to an even dozen.

"We're positioned to continue that trend," says Paul Kapusky, sales director for Tera Networks.

The company is expecting to add another 3-4 new positions. Kapusky says Tera Networks, a division of Northville-based DataFactZ, should be bolstered by its expanding presence in remote monitoring and management of IT systems. It's offering this service model to small- and medium-sized businesses, basically giving 24/7 IT services and management for a low monthly fee. The 1-year-old company rolled out this new service last fall.

Source: Paul Kapusky, sales director for Tera Networks
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

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