DataTraks Chooses Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology as New Home
Posted on | November 7, 2013 | No Comments
Loveland-based tech company first to lease from Cumberland & Western
Loveland, CO – DataTraks (www.datatraks.com), a custom engineering and software solutions company, will move to the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT – http://rmcinnovate.com) in Loveland, Colorado. The company will be the first tenant to move into the RMCIT facility, helping to revitalize the currently vacant campus.
As an incentive for DataTraks to move in to the RMCIT campus, the Loveland City Council approved $19,500 to be paid from the Economic Development Incentive Fund to DataTraks. The payment was contingent upon the company signing a five-year lease with Cumberland & Western, and will help DataTraks offset some of the cost of relocating and acquiring equipment. Signing the final lease agreement in early September made DataTraks the first official tenant of the RMCIT facility.
“Since we’re first, they wanted to make sure everything was correct,” stated Jim Bilodeau, DataTraks’ founder and president. Originally located in downtown Loveland, DataTraks makes a significant change moving to RMCIT, almost doubling their facility space. The company will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet of space in the lower D building of the campus. This expansion comes with further plans to develop additional services and capabilities.
“We’ve hired three people this year, but as we continue to grow we’ll eventually be hiring more,” said Bilodeau. “As a company, we’re excited to be the first in the space, and we’ll be more excited to have some cool companies move in next to us.” With plans to be in the new facility within 90 days, Bilodeau cited limited parking and space for growth as motivating factors in moving his organization to the new campus. Many hope DataTraks’ move will provide momentum that leads to additional leases and an atmosphere that benefits other new tenants.
The design for DataTraks’ new space was done by Kenney and Associates Architects (www.kenneyarch.com) of Loveland. Tenant finish will be completed by Loveland-based R&L Builders.
About DataTraks
DataTraks was founded in 1998 to help railroad operators make critical decisions regarding the development and maintenance of safe, effective rail systems. The company provides customized engineering and software solutions for companies around world, in the railroad, manufacturing, and mining industries. DataTraks clients benefit from an experienced team of electrical, mechanical and software engineers dedicated to helping those they serve operate safer and more efficiently. Areas of focus include Positive Train Control (PTC), wireless sensor systems, custom software, non-destructive evaluation, and preventative maintenance. For more information, visit www.datatraks.com, call (970) 461-1140, or email info@datatraks.com.
Tags: company expansion > Cumberland & Western > Data Traks > Econominc Development > engineering > facility expansion > Loveland City Council > RMCIT > Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology
Front Row Solutions CRM Receives 85.9% Net Promoter® Score from Users
Posted on | November 6, 2013 | No Comments
FRS sales reporting system is rated highly by sales representatives using it in the field
Fort Collins, Colo. – Front Row Solutions (FRS), a customer relationship management (CRM) system built around the needs of sales representatives and sales managers, has released the results of a recent survey of its user base utilizing the Net Promoter (www.netpromoter.com) scoring approach. In a survey of thousands of sales representatives, FRS received a Net Promoter Score® of 8.59 on a scale of zero to ten.
Front Row Solutions recognized from the beginning that one of the biggest challenges facing companies using a CRM system is getting sales representatives to engage with that system and use it to report their sales activities. Research into the market showed that compliance with CRM systems was generally very weak.
The FRS CRM system was designed to meet the needs of the sales representative in the field and boost compliance and productivity for their clients. Research showed that sales representatives wanted a CRM that is fast, easy to learn and use, and mobile friendly. FRS answered that demand with the Sales Pro App for mobile devices; it combines the fastest, easiest mobile reporting tool available with real-time information for sales managers. Clients saw compliance levels among their representatives surge to more than 90 percent.
Further showcasing Front Row Solutions’ focus on the needs of sales representatives, they reached out to those individuals currently using FRS to find out how well the system was meeting the key requirements of representatives in the field. After independently researching the CRM Industry for sales representative feedback, Front Row found no evidence of other CRM companies engaging sales representatives with surveys or questionnaires.
FRS chose to use the Net Promoter Score® approach to send out a simple, to-the-point survey aimed at getting as much feedback as possible. With the permission of their clients’ management teams, a brief questionnaire was sent out asking sales reps for comments, suggestions, and their rating of the FRS CRM using the Net Promoter Score® question. Sales representatives were asked how likely they would be to recommend FRS to another person or business on a scale of zero to ten.
The results of the Net Promotion survey showed that sales representatives using the FRS sales reporting system gave the CRM a Net Promotion Score of 8.59, or 85.9 percent. The Net Promotion format categorizes customers as promoters (9-10), passives (7-8), or detractors (0-6). The score of 8.59 indicates that the majority of FRS’ clients are mostly promoters, or “loyal enthusiasts who will keep buying and refer others.” FRS’ median rating was a 9.0, with 35 percent of surveyed sales representatives rating the company at a 10.
Reaching out to sales rep users has been critical to the direction of the Front Row Solutions system. Front Row President and Founder Etien D’Hollander notes, “We are constantly looking to augment and improve to the Front Row Solutions app to engage and assist sales representatives. We are encouraged by our Net Promoter Score, which prove to us we’re on the right track; and the suggestions we got for improvements to the system were very insightful.”
“We have now integrated Front Row Solutions with Microsoft Outlook, IBM Notes (Lotus notes), Google PMI, and Thunderbird, all because of suggestions made by our sale representative customers in their survey responses. There will be more, so stay tuned for what’s coming down the pipeline.”
To try the Front Row Solutions app on one of the company’s free demo sites, simply download the app. It is available on the app store under “Front Row Sales Pro.” Once the app is installed, contact Front Row Solutions for a free password and login at sales@frontrow-solutions.com.
The Front Row Sales Pro app is focused on assisting sales representatives and providing critical information to the management team.
About Front Row Solutions
Front Row Solutions (FRS), a North American company, was founded in 2008 to improve the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process. Designed by former sales representatives and drawing from the executive team’s 30+ years of experience in all facets of business, the FRS CRM system can stand alone or integrate into currently implemented systems, helping sales representatives improve revenue and profit by using its fast, user-friendly interface. The FRS CRM provides real-time insight to the sales management team; the fast, easy-to-use system improves sales representatives’ compliance on sales reports, empowering the sales management team to fully track representative accountability, performance and a host of other invaluable functions for guaranteed improved profitability. For more information, call 1-800-986-0983, email sales@frontrow-solutions.com, or visit www.FrontRow-Solutions.com.
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Tags: customer relationship management > Front Row Solutions > sales > sales applications > Sales Pro > support
Rich Hardesty Releases New Song and Video, “Absolutely Mangoed;” Tribute to Weekends Urges Listeners to “Kick Back”
Posted on | October 25, 2013 | No Comments
Got to work on a fun project recently – see http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11229894.htm for all the available photos, along with a video.
Rich Hardesty once again brings his laid-back, feel-good music directly to his fans across the globe. His new ode to relaxation, weekend fun and the enjoyment of adult beverages, “Absolutely Mangoed,” is sure to please both current and future fans alike.
Working independently, as always, without the support of a major record label, Rich Hardesty once again brings his laid-back, feel-good music directly to his fans across the globe. His new ode to relaxation, weekend fun and the enjoyment of adult beverages, “Absolutely Mangoed” is sure to please both current and future fans alike.
“Kick back, here comes the weekend, ain’t nobody gotta feel no pain tonight. Outside on the patio, the newsman said there ain’t no rain in sight.”
The tune highlights the fun-loving, easy-going lifestyle of this artist and his fans, much like other Hardesty fan favorites “Culturally Insane” and “Back to Jamaica.” Over the last decade and a half, Hardesty and his unique tunes have amassed an international fan base thanks to his hard-working grassroots tours and online community building. Rich’s music emphasizes a sun, sand and surf mentality, despite his upbringing in the midwest, and it brings that vibe to listeners around the world, from Vladivostok to the Virgin Islands.
“Got a smile on my face, drinks to the sky. It’s a win-win situation. Everybody’s fine.”
When asked about his inspiration for “Absolutely Mangoed,” Rich says it’s all about making people forget their troubles. “I just want to entertain people. If they hear this song on the radio, online or in person and it inspires them to sing or dance, I’ve done my job.”
“We can forget ‘cause we ain’t got no problems. We’re feelin’ all right. Feelin’ all right.”
After performing thousands of concerts around the world, Rich still gets a charge from the audience. “I live to entertain. I’m relentless. I won’t stop until everyone who attends becomes a fan. My secret is giving the crowd something they don’t expect.” Rich counts gigs in Australia, Jamaica, Miami and his hometown of Indianapolis among some of his favorites.
“The weekend’s almost over, and I ain’t gonna put up a fight. I’m gonna get absolutely mangoed tonight.”
Although Rich’s music has been compared to artists such as Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and Jimmy Buffet, he feels his style is a bit more eclectic. “It’s such an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as those guys, but I do my own thing. Naturally, we all make music that is considered ‘feel-good,’ but my music is a fusion of rock, pop, and folk that’s unique, in my humble opinion.”
“The weekend’s almost over – or has it just begun? Absolutely mangoed, watching the setting sun.”
For more information about Rich Hardesty and to experience “Absolutely Mangoed,” pour yourself a margarita or mojito and head to http://www.richhardesty.com, or join in on his celebration of sun, surf and sand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/richhardestyfanpage, Twitter at https://twitter.com/richhardesty, or YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/richfeelgood.
After being involved in music nearly his entire life, international recording artist Rich Hardesty began his professional career in 1992 by fusing his passion for rock, pop, and folk to create a unique trademark sound all of his own which he quickly found to be widely well-received.
Soon after starting out on his professional journey, Rich found himself courted for the “Jagermeister Tour.” He was voted the #1 artist on the tour for 10 years running and played sold-out shows at such famous clubs as House of Blues in Las Vegas and 4th and B in San Diego.
Writing jingles for Jagermeister, Rich discovered a knack for combining brand marketing and entertainment. Of his many accomplishments, he is proud to have toured with Pepper and Slightly Stoopid, being asked to headline for John Mellencamp’s 50th birthday party, and to have a long-standing endorsements with Ovation guitars, Jagermeister, and others.
During his 18-year career Rich has performed in more than 2,000 live shows, recorded 11 indie records, and has had his songs featured in such films as Totally Baked and 69 the Highway.
Rich’s sound has been described as a combination of Jack Johnson, Sublime, and Dave Matthews Band-meets-John Mayer with a reggae-rasta touch.
Rich notes that he has been influenced most by Bob Marley, Jim Croce, James Taylor, The Grateful Dead, Jack Johnson, and Sublime. Rich is proud to note that he is a member of the “The Parrot Head Webring” and molds his music around the same laid-back, feel-good vibe of the legendary Jimmy Buffet.
23rd Annual Governor’s Art Show Issues Call for Entries
Posted on | September 11, 2013 | No Comments
Entry submission for Colorado artists continues through midnight Sept, 30th, with new online submission available at http://governorsartshow.org/2014-submission/
Loveland, Colorado – The 23rd Annual Governor’s Art Show (formerly The Annual Governor’s Invitational Art Show and Sale) has issued a call for entries for its 2014 event. The submission deadline for Colorado artists to submit their work is midnight, September 30th, 2013. Three recent works of art, a brief bio and a $25 entry fee (payable securely via PayPal) can be submitted for jury consideration online via http://governorsartshow.org/2014-submission/.
The 2014 event, as in years past, will feature a juried collection of outstanding works by Colorado artists, and will be held May 4th-June 15th, 2014, at the Loveland Museum/Gallery. For more than 20 years, both The Loveland Rotary Club and The Thompson Valley Rotary Club have combined efforts to sell more than $2 million of work by Colorado artists.
The 2014 Governor’s Art Show & Sale also features a modified new name and logo. The show’s new branding includes a shorter, more conversational name, as well as a nod to Rotary and Colorado artists. The logo maintains the old “square” as a graphic representation of a picture frame, and the show’s promotional materials add the colors of the Colorado flag and the Rotary logo and year. The new look establishes a stronger, more recognizable identity for modern, social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Last year’s Governor’s Art Show & Sale featured 55 Colorado artists. The exhibit showcased works by local artists with a broad range of styles and influences, including more contemporary and avant-garde works. New artists participating in the show last year include international award-winning watercolor artist Selina Karim and nationally renowned painter Alyson Kinkade, whose art is displayed in the Colorado State Capitol as well as Colorado State University and Denver International Airport. David Nittmann, whose woodcarvings have been featured in The Smithsonian and The Philadelphia Museum of Art, returned last year, along with painters Ross Busby and David Mayer.
2014 Show Sponsors Sought
The 2013 show was made possible by Gold-level sponsors Poudre Valley Health System, RE/MAX Alliance Loveland, and Loveland Ready-Mix Concrete; Silver-level sponsors Art Works Loveland and Shannon Marketing Communications; dozens of Bronze-level sponsors; and others, including promotional sponsors. Sponsorships are now available for the 2014 show, and a complete list of sponsors will be posted at http://www.governorsartshow.org/index.php/sponsors.
Beneficiaries of Sale Proceeds
This event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Loveland and Thompson Valley Clubs. Funds raised through the sale of art at the show go to the Loveland Rotary Foundation. Throughout the year, funds are given to a wide variety of causes and groups, including the Thompson Valley Honor Society for painting Valentine hearts; shelter boxes for Haiti; medical supplies for those in need around the world; clean water projects in Nicaragua and Burma; shoes for children in Thailand; Trees, Water, People; Rotary International’s “Stamp Out Polio” project; Project Self Sufficiency; House of Neighborly Service; art scholarships for local students’ and Rotary Youth Leadership Camp scholarships.
About the Governor’s Invitational Art Show & Sale
The Governor’s Art Show & Sale is the largest fundraiser and a capstone project of the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs. It stands out as one of the most prestigious exhibits of original art in the Western United States. For more information about the Governor’s Invitational Art Show & Sale, visit www.governorsartshow.org, call 970-663-0919, or email governorsartshow@gmail.com. You can also learn more at the event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GovsArtShowandSale.
Tags: art > art submissions > Colorado artists > Governor's Invitational Art Show > Loveland Museum > Loveland Rotary
NoCo Mini Maker Faire to Host VIP Industry Preview Night To Celebrate National Manufacturing Day Oct. 4
Posted on | September 9, 2013 | No Comments
CompanyWeek to Present Innovation Catalyst Award; Innovators SketchUp and Idea-2-Product Lab Showcase leading-edge technologies
Loveland, CO (September 10, 2013) – To celebrate National Manufacturing Day, Colorado’s first major Maker Faire will open its doors for a VIP Industry Preview Night, Friday October 4, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT), the premier Northern Colorado technology park located in Loveland, Colorado. The NoCo Mini Maker Faire (http://makerfairenoco.com/) will then open its inaugural event to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013.
The Industry Preview Night will spotlight event participants in the areas of research, innovation, tools and engineering as part of the Idea To Commercialization Exhibition. Program highlights include presentation of 3D printing and related technologies from the Idea-2-Product Lab while SketchUp’s Omar Soubra will show attendees how DIY tools are helping entrepreneurs transform Industry and Manufacturing. Capping the evening’s formal events will be CompanyWeek magazine 2013 Innovation Catalyst Award presentation.
More than 20 businesses will be featured during the Industry Preview include Boulder Engineering Studio, Road Narrows Robotics, Vergent Technologies, Colorado Waterjet and Epilog Lasers as well as Federal research labs creating high impact research in Colorado.
RMCIT, located at 815 14th St SW, Loveland, Colorado, provides an expansive space for the October 5th full Maker Faire, which includes local and national innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, creative builders, ingenious DIY hobbyists, scientists, tech-tinkerers, engineers, manufacturers, and producers. The Maker Faire focuses on engaging the audience in making, so participants will have a wide variety to choose from – building a race car for the Nerdy Derby, soldering an electronic Simon game to take home, spinning and weaving, building in the Global Creative Cardboard Challenge, controlling a light array with sound, sewing squares for a community art project, playing Frisbee with a robot…..and so much more.
Local and regional businesses are providing additional support for the NoCo Maker Faire including: Sustaining Sponsor Mueller CPA; Community Sponsors: Pivot Guild, PrestonSTEM Institute, Exodus Moving, and Media Sponsors: CompanyWeek and Northern Colorado Business Report (NCBR).
About the NoCo Mini Maker Faire
The NoCo Mini Maker Faire is an offshoot of the celebrated Maker Faire (www.makerfaire.com) created in the SF Bay area that draws over 100,000 annually from all around the world. To follow the development of the Faire and also learn more about the emerging Maker Movement and community resources for Makers, visit the website at www.nocomakerfaire.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nocominimakerfaire. The NoCo Mini Maker Faire is independently produced by Making Progress L3C in collaboration with Maker Media.
Tags: art > community > engineering > innovation > manufacturing > Mini Maker Faire > National Manufacturing Day > producers > research > RMCIT > technology
New story for InnovatioNews on Wolf Robotics
Posted on | September 9, 2013 | No Comments
Brad’s latest story for IN:
More on DataTraks’ move to RMCIT
Posted on | September 9, 2013 | No Comments
http://www.reporterherald.com/news/loveland-local-news/ci_24040604/rmcit-have-first-tenant
Colorado WaterJet Company in the news
Posted on | September 4, 2013 | No Comments
Our client CWJ gets some industry publication attention:http://www.mmsonline.com/blog/post/the-case-for-abrasive-waterjet
NoCo Mini Maker Faire Comes to the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology Oct. 5
Posted on | August 23, 2013 | No Comments
Sponsors SparkFun, Boulder Engineering Studios, and Epilog Lasers promise to inspire future makers with technology
Loveland, CO (August 23, 2013) – Colorado’s first major Maker Faire will be held at the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT), the premier Northern Colorado technology park located in Loveland, Colorado. The NoCo Mini Maker Faire (http://makerfairenoco.com/) is proud to present its inaugural event at RMCIT, located at 815 14th St SW, Loveland, Colorado, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. October 5, 2013.
RMCIT provides an expansive innovation space for this event that includes local and national innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, creative builders, ingenious DIY hobbyists, scientists, tech-tinkerers, engineers, manufacturers, and producers. The NoCo Maker Faire has a variety of sponsors and exhibitors that are sure to make for an event full of fun and inspiration.
Presenting Sponsor SparkFun Electronics (www.sparkfun.com), an online retailer that sells the bits and pieces to make electronics projects possible, will be at the NoCo Maker Faire with DIY kits and soldering stations with trainers that make creating electronics fun and accessible. SparkFun’s CEO Nathan Seidle recently presented at TEDx Boulder about the power of open source technology that drives his business model. Providing demonstrations and kits, SparkFun will encourage the inner engineer in everyone at the NoCo Mini Maker Faire.
Boulder Engineering Studio (www.boulderes.com) and Epilog Laser (www.epiloglaser.com) will be on hand as exhibit sponsors to provide intriguing looks into the world of engineering new products and leading edge laser cutting technologies. Other exhibits and sponsors promise to celebrate things people create themselves — from new technology and electronic gizmos to urban farming and “slow-made” foods to homemade clothes, quilts and sculptures. This event demonstrates what and how people are inventing, making and creating. Sponsor Road Narrows Robotics will demonstrate new industry robotics technologies and Action Works is bringing its annual youth robotics scrimmage to the faire.
Many community businesses support the goals of the NoCo Maker Faire including: Sustaining Sponsor Mueller CPA; Community Sponsors: Pivot Guild, PrestonSTEM Institute, Exodus Moving, and Media Sponsors: CompanyWeek and Northern Colorado Business Report (NCBR). The NoCo Mini Maker Faire helps raise the profile of all the makers and innovators and grow the innovation ecosystem from youth education to entrepreneurship and industrial new product development.
About the NoCo Mini Maker Faire
The NoCo Mini Maker Faire is an offshoot of the celebrated Maker Faire (www.makerfaire.com) created in the SF Bay area that draws over 100,000 annually from all around the world. To follow the development of the Faire and also learn more about the emerging Maker Movement and community resources for Makers, visit the website at www.nocomakerfaire.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nocominimakerfaire. The NoCo Mini Maker Faire is independently produced by Making Progress L3C in collaboration with Maker Media.
Tags: Boulder Engineering Studios > business > engineers > entrepreneurs > Epilog Lasers > innovation > manufacturers > NoCo Mini Maker Faire > RMCIT > SparkFun > technology > tinkers
A1QA article on telecommunications testing
Posted on | August 22, 2013 | No Comments
Here’s the second article placed on behalf of a colleague and their technology/software testing client
http://www.billingworld.com/blogs/insider/2013/08/back-to-back-testing-in-oss-bss.aspx