Nashville Technology Council

Road Tripping Wednesday

LBMC Technologies

The Nashville Technology Council had a very informative visit today with the team at LBMC Technologies in Brentwood. We started off the meeting by spending some time looking at the new Techville map. Jeff McCorpin then led us through a power point presentation that highlighted what LMBC Technologies actually does. The 48-employee company has offices in Brentwood and Knoxville and is an affiliate of LBMC. Their business system focuses on the Microsoft Dynamics line.

We learned in the presentation that LBMC Technologies offers many services, from Enterprise Content Management and Software Development to Network Engineering and Training and Technical Writing. TechCare Remote Managed Services is a new product for LBMC Technologies that identifies problems as soon as they arise.

We found out that LBMC Technologies had some notable changes in 2009. The company launched a new Web site in January and debuted a new vertical marketing strategy. We left our visit full of new insights about LBMC Technologies.

It’s time to let your voice be heard.

No, it is not an American Idol tryout. Each year, we reach out to our membership for their opinions on what we are doing, not doing, and what we should be doing to provide value to you. This year is no different. Below you will find a link to our 2009 Membership survey. Please click here to take our 10 minute survey. It is very important to have your voice heard.

Below you will find evidence that we rely on your input to make program changes. We have listed some of your requests from last year and how we have either already, or are in the progress of completing. It’s not meant to be a report card, we just want to demonstrate just how much we listen to you.

We ask that all survey responses be submitted by May 5. Thank you in advance from the staff. We sincerely appreciate you and your time.

Last year, you suggested several website changes including:

1. Easier to access member’s only area

2. Improved event registration system

3. Redesign website

4. Develop a better newsletter

5. More intuitive job board

6. Create online Blogs

I am happy to report that all of these issues were addressed in our new site. Please visit our site and read some of the blog postings. Are we on the right track? Would you be willing to write some blog posts about the Nashville Technology scene?

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Emdeon takes on Healthcare Efficiency

It is a busy time for Emdeon, a provider of revenue and payment cycle solutions and clinical data exchange. Emdeon, who holds the single largest national health information network, has recently launched an initiative that focuses on stopping the use of paper in basic business transactions in the healthcare industry, which in turn will save billions of dollars every year.

“We have partnered with the Center for Health Transformation, founded by Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and are working with federal and state governments, to offer ideas for achieving immediate savings,” Susanne Powell, Director of Corporate Communications for Emdeon, said. “The cornerstone of Emdeon’s efforts is the launch of the U.S. Healthcare Efficiency Index™ with a goal of creating a single national reference for tracking the industry’s transition from a paper-based manual system to an efficient electronic one.”

The development of the U.S. Healthcare Efficiency Index has been a year in the making. The idea that something needed to be done to conserve paper and save money came about during industry and public policy discussions.

“Miriam Paramore, Emdeon’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Government Affairs, spearheaded the development of the Index to raise awareness of potential savings and bring the industry together to measure progress and overcome any remaining barriers,” Powell said.

The Index is being launched in phases. Phase 1 is complete and highlights cost saving opportunities based on available industry data. Phase 2 is currently underway and includes primary research being conducted in partnership with the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt. Data will be collected directly from payers and providers to provide an accurate measurement of progress. Future phases of the Index will expand its scope beyond medical claims to include dental, pharmacy, worker’s compensation and others. The information provided in each phase will become more specific as the Index progresses.

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Venue:  Vanderbilt Legends Club

Date:  June 2, 2009

Shotgun Start:  1:30pm

Members Only

Individual Golfer Reg:  $150

Hole Sponsorship:  $500

Eagle Sponsor:  $3,000

Interested in Sponsorship? Click Here

For Registration, Click Here

Join us for this new event and take advantage of networking with other
companies in your industry and a key member of the Nashville Technology
Council Board of Directors. Teams will be constructed based on golfer handicap
and each golfer’s company type.

Sit back and relax after the event at our closing prize reception. Enjoy a drink and
a few appetizers while congratulating your associates on a well played round.

Welcome to Techville!

The Nashville Technology Council (NTC) broke ground on Techville today.  Techville demonstrates Nashville’s breadth and depth in the technology industry by profiling the leading technology companies in the region.  Techville is presented as a colorful map, an artist’s rendition of Middle Tennessee, which includes logos of technology companies and famous Music City landmarks located all over Middle Tennessee.  Techville is available in a 2’x3’poster and online at Techville.us.

“As honorary Mayor of Techville, I decree April 24, 2009 as TechDay,” proclaimed Beth Chase, CEO C3 Consulting and current NTC Board of Directors Chair.  “Today we are taking another step in positioning Nashville as a leading destination for technology companies.”

Like a real city, Techville has City Council members and Commissioners. 53 companies received special recognition as City Council members and Commissioners.  In total, the printed map displays 158 technology companies and online there are over 327 technology companies represented.

The Techville.us website is a helpful tool to search for technology services by the companies featured on the map. On the website, viewers can scroll over the logos for company descriptions and key contact information.  The user can click through to the company’s website.

The Techville map puts a face on Nashville’s technology industry.  “The first time I saw it, I was amazed at the sheer number of companies that make up our technology community – as well as the breadth of services and products offered,” said Nicholas Holland, CEO of centre{source} and creator of the website.  “When people think of Nashville, they often think of Music or Healthcare.  After seeing the Techville map, one will appreciate the significance of the technology industry.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.  Those in attendance include Carlyle Carroll from the Chamber, Chris Beck representing EDS and the Board of Directors for the Nashville Technology Council, and staff members – Chelsea Redden, Emily Armstrong, Kevin Bittorie, Sara Carter, J. Tod Fetherling, and Warren Burke.

The Techville map will be distributed via the Nashville Business Journal on April 24, 2009.  To order a copy of the Techville Map or a Framed Copy of the Techville Map, please click here.

Road Trippin’ Wednesday

The Nashville Technology Council had a engaging visit today with Frank Pazera from TechCFO. TechCFO provides a wide range of comprehensive business infrastructure services, from project management to accounting systems and support. For clients needing some help from a CFO, TechCFO steps up. Pazera explained to the council that the company can either act as a permanent CFO, coming in once a week or take on the position on interim bases, all while offering the lower cost resources for the client. Public and private businesses of the life sciences, technology, software services, and manufacturing industries make up TechCFO’s client list.

TechCFO has offices in Boston, San Francisco, Raleigh/ Durham, and are headquartered in Atlanta. Offices are in the works for Nashville, Austin, and Washington, D.C.  Pazera has been visiting Nashville for four months getting a taste of what the city has to offer in the technology market and he likes what he has seen. With Nashville being one of the leading technology hubs in the country, TechCFO looks to be a promising fit.

Earth Day

When Earth Day rolls around every April it seems the need to recycle and save energy increases each year. This year the need is at an all time high. With recession dominating the media and water cooler conversations, people have realized that being green can save them a lot of money while helping save the environment.

The Green Generation Campaign kicks off on Earth Day 2009. According to Earth Day Network, the campaign’s main principles are “carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, an individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption and creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.”

A great story here in Nashville is Green Earth Computer Recycling Services.  They currently serve the Greater Nashville area for all e-waste recycling needs. They will pick-up, accept drop-offs, and have collection days in conveniently located areas.

Technology plays a major role in saving energy on Earth Day and every other day of the year. The healthcare industry uses billions of sheets of paper a year on transactions and medical records.  This paper trial results in potential cost savings in the billions.  To save paper and money, hospitals across the county are going paperless. All transactions will take place electronically is the vision. The U.S. Healthcare Efficiency Index is creating awareness and monitoring the transition from paper to electronic. According to the Index, about $53 billion, 468 trees and three billion sheets of paper could be saved annually by switching from paper to electronic. Thanks to technological innovations, money and the environment are being saved.

Hemlock, the company who last month broke ground on a new plant in Clarksville, will be manufacturing polysilicon for the solar industry.

The use of solar power is a technological innovation that helps to conserve energy and money. BrightSource Energy Inc. counts the sun as its top employer. The company uses the latest technology in solar energy to power industrial and utility companies all over the world.

“BrightSource Energy’s proprietary Luz Power Tower (LPT) 550 energy system is based on proven power tower technology and is designed to offer the highest operating efficiencies and lowest capital costs in the industry,” accoring to BrightSouce. “Our solar plants are designed to minimize environmental impact and help custom¬ers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.”

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Racing Ahead!

For the third straight year, Murray State University’s TSM program has won the National Case Study Championship at the 2009 International Telecommunications Education and Research Association (ITERA) National Conference held in Atlanta this past weekend.  Murray State is a member of the Nashville Technology Council’s “Turning the Tide of Technology” initiative.  The goal of the initiative is to connect students to career opportunities in technology within the Middle Tennessee business community.

The MSU TSM team was comprised of four recent graduates (December 2008) from the TSM Masters program.  The team members were Jesse Calhoun, Paducah, KY, John Knight, Henderson, KY, Lisbeth Boyd, Louisville, KY, and Jimmy St. Louis, Florida.  For the third year Professor George Rice was the faculty advisor for the winning team.

The team developed a paper proposal that was submitted to a blind judging to select the three finalists.  The final selection was made based upon the oral presentation at the conference.

This year the Case Study focused on designing a technical design for the information and telecommunication infrastructure for a new hospital.  The other component of the case study was the building of the business case for the infrastructure.

The final three team competing in Atlanta were Ball State University, Texas A&M, and Murray State.

Murray State’s mascot is the Racers and in this case, the TSM program is truly a thoroughbred.

Learn how to help students become successful leaders in our technology community by joining the T3 initiative.  Visit us online at www.t3tech.org for more information.

Ride the Magic Bus in Nashville

Keeping with our feel the beat of technology campaign, the sound of the Who’s 1972 classic “Magic Bus” came to mind today when I heard we finally placed into service six new 60-foot, articulated hybrid buses.  These buses are a marvel, not only for their fuel economy, but for their comfort and design.

The buses operate with an alternate fuel system and possess the latest in passenger features, and should help to alleviate the standing-room only issue on some of MTA’s most popular routes.  Made by North American Bus Industries (NABI), the new technology is ideal for regular route and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) applications.

Other features of the new hybrid BRT buses include:

•    Ample seating for up to 62 passengers with room for additional standing passengers (total capacity: 100);
•    Alternate fuel system – diesel and electric hybrid;
•    More fuel-efficient and require less fill-ups;
•    Reduced exterior noise levels; and
•    Low-floor kneeling bus with no steps makes boarding and exiting easier and faster.

If you live along route 26 Gallatin Road, then you can experience the ride.  I think we should pick a day and promote it as a Tech Ride the Bus to Work Day. What do you think?  Want to ride the Magic Bus with us?

Google, come to Nashville, save a few billion in taxes.

This is a happy day for those fortunate enough to get back a refund and a sad day for those who have to pay additional taxes.  Over 160 million people will file taxes this year.  Over 95 million of those will be filed electronically.  Approximately 115 million will receive refunds totaling more than $275 billion.  The average refund is expected to surpass $2,500 nationwide.  Combined, as individuals, we will pay more than $1.3 trillion (that’s right) in taxes to the federal government.

This year, Tax Free Day is estimated to be around July 15, 2009.  So while today is Tax Day, the real day we should care about is Tax Free Day.  Tax Free Day is the day when we stop working for the government and start working for the money we eventually get to keep.  If you are fortunate enough to work in Technology and in Tennessee, then Tax Free Day comes a little earlier than in most states.  You see, Tennessee is one of those states without an income tax and we have a balanced budget.  Often we forget to thank our Governor and Legislature for the great work that they perform in our state.

So how does tax day affect technology?  A lot.  According to Google’s latest K1 Filing for year ending 2008, it is estimating a tax bill of $1.6 billion.  We have become almost oblivious to a billion dollars.  I remember when a billion dollars meant something.  Oh the 90’s.  Of Google’s $1.6B, nearly $500 million is due to the State of California and it is going to get worse.

Do you think Google’s tax bill is bad?  Exxon pays nearly $30 Billion a year in taxes.  Now, that is a lot of stimulus.

So while many companies face the daunting task of paying a tax bill, you could be enjoying the low cost, low tax, high quality of life in Nashville, Tennessee.  Come on down and pay us a visit.  Listen to some music and code up some software.  We think you will like what you see and you will get to keep a little more money for yourself, your employees and have money leftover to spend on creating the next killer application.