Nashville Technology Council

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FiledBy Launches 50 New Category Websites in a Major Expansion of its Author/Reader Platform into Vertical Niches
Thousands of Sub-Category Pages Also Deployed Providing a Unique Organization of Authors, Contributors and Their Books

Nashville, Tenn., January 25, 2010 – FiledBy (http://www.filedby.com/), the leading online directory of authors, writers, illustrators, photographers, editors, translators and other book contributors, today announced a significant expansion of its online platform into fifty main category websites (http://www.filedby.com/categories/), which include more than three thousand sub-categories organized by the book industry BISAC code structure. Information about authors, contributors and books published or imported into North America has been indexed, linked together and organized into the new category sites for easy search and discovery. This first-time-ever organization of authors by the categories in which they publish will facilitate a wide range of connections among authors and their readers.

FiledBy’s innovative category sites now provide a vertical view of authors and their work and further organize the activity of authors into the categories in which they publish. The new websites aggregate activity taking place on individual FiledBy author sites according to relevant categories and display the activity as authors and their collaborators customize their online presence with photographs, biographies, videos, podcasts, documents and links to other locations like blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and custom author websites. Authors and contributors can locate their work, register with FiledBy, claim a pre-assembled website that already includes all of an author’s work and build an effective online marketing platform with easy to use tools. And now that the aggregation of author-related activity is arranged by subject category, FiledBy becomes an even more compelling place for an author to bring and share audiences.

“We launched FiledBy nine months ago based on the vision that discoverability of books and authors has changed forever due to the impact of the Internet and search,” said Peter Clifton, co-founder and CEO of FiledBy. “We wanted to provide tools that authors and their creative partners could use to easily collect and present authoritative information about themselves and focus on their overall social marketing efforts. To accomplish this, we had to first organize a vast amount of information around the people who create books, rather than simply display the books themselves. Now that information is also available through our category websites.”

 “Being able to control, customize and extend this information easily is of increasing value to authors, their collaborative partners and publishers in a world where search dominates discovery and the delivery of digital content intersects with existing information about print books,” said Clifton.

The new FiledBy category websites provide vertical context to authors and their work and provide a foundation on which vertically integrated social marketing and communities can form and grow. The category sites showcase authors as they sign on, highlight popular books and featured authors as well as displaying other author content, including new videos, podcast and documents. Consumer readers can also join FiledBy and build custom bookshelves and author lists on a personal FiledBy website. Readers can ‘friend’ other readers, join author communities, start or join groups and receive email alerts when a favorite author makes changes or updates to their FiledBy site. People who browse the site can now more easily discover authors and books according to the categories in which they have interest, as well as build communities, form groups, share reviews and connect with authors.

Sample Category Sites:
Business and Economics
Technology and Engineering
Gardening

Since launch in April 2009, more than 6,200 authors, illustrators, photographers and other contributors have registered and claimed their FiledBy website. Many authors are now using FiledBy as their primary website because the tools provided are author centric. They can easily add media without the help of a webmaster, and ongoing updates and customizations can be made quickly, easily and from anywhere.

“FiledBy offers authors the tools and services they need to share information and content with readers as well as a solution to the challenges most have when trying to market themselves online today,” said Clifton. “Authors and publishers will now be able to market within these vertical portals, ensuring that they are reaching the right audience and, in turn, selling more books.”

Mike Shatzkin, Founder & CEO of The Idea Logical Company, Inc. and co-founder of FiledBy commented, “I have long preached that verticality will be the hallmark of 21st century publishing. I am delighted that FiledBy’s pioneering data organization work has enabled them to facilitate the connection of authors and readers by topic. This will be of increasing value to publishers, authors, readers, and to the communities of interest that are forming everywhere as digital development proceeds and the industry continues to change.”

An Interview with LBMC Technologies

January 2010
Shelley Madison, Marketing Manager

How long have you been in business in Nashville?
The LBMC organization began in 1984 with the formation of the CPA firm of Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC.  As an affiliate of our parent company, LBMC Technologies has been helping clients since 1996.

What does your company or organization do best?
We pride ourselves in being our clients’ “Trusted Technology Partner.”  We differentiate ourselves in the market by providing our customers with multiple solutions under one roof.  We truly partner with our clients by sharing the risk and providing a holistic approach to all their business challenges.

What is one interesting fact about your company?
In addition to our business services, LBMC is dedicated to serving the human needs of our community as well.  The LBMC Nashville office recently adopted 45 angels through the Salvation Army.   Other community projects include various local charity races, filling Thanksgiving baskets for the needy and United Way.

What new technology product or service are you the most excited about?
This year, LBMC Technologies launched our TechCare Remote-Managed Services.  We’re really excited about this new, proactive service model and the savings for our clients.  It’s not just about monitoring or remote access to client systems; TechCare is about preventing potential problems while keeping their systems operational and their staff fully informed.

Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?
Dolly Parton.  As an entertainment icon, Dolly Parton is legendary. But what is really remarkable is her business acumen and her charitable spirit.  Ms. Parton has donated more than 1 million books to pre-school children across the United States in the fight against illiteracy and to develop an early passion for reading.  Not only that, but she also provides scholarships to high school students in Sevier County, TN.  And she is just as kind and welcoming in person as you would expect. 

Earl Nightingale once said, “All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.”

Techville.us is a visual landscape of technology in Nashville. It is essentially a plan, with a final destination of making Nashville a recognized leader in technology worldwide. Its purpose is to create a louder voice for technology, not only in the Nashville area, but for those outside of Tennessee to see the breadth and depth of our local community.

In 2009, the printed Techville.us map displayed over 150 technology companies in the Middle Tennessee area, and the online, interactive version exhibited over 350 company locations. This map was distributed in the Nashville Business Journal, to over 6,000 readers, and framed copies were hung in offices all over our city. In addition, it has been used on Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce economic development trips, encouraging technology companies nationwide to relocate their headquarters in Middle Tennessee. We have also utilized the map at career fairs as a resource to recruit and retain technology students here in Nashville.

You would be surprised how many times we heard, “I had no idea there were this many technology companies in Nashville.” This is exactly why it is important for us to continue to tell the Nashville technology story. In 2010, we hope to display even more company names to demonstrate the growth in technology in Nashville. We want you to be a part of this plan, and a representative of this thriving industry. See how you can get involved below:

City Council:

• Company logo in a premium location around the outer edges of Techville 2010 map, both printed and online versions.
• Large company logo listed in the approximate Middle TN location.
• Inclusion in the Nashville Business Journal Techville 2010 Insert (Distribution 8,000+ readers).
• Premium location on the interactive Techville.us 2010 website with company description and ability to list key contact information.
• Receive 10 copies of the 2′x3′ Techville 2010 poster.

Commissioner:

• Large company logo listed in the approximate Middle TN location.
• Inclusion in the Nashville Business Journal Techville 2010 Insert (Distribution 8,000+ readers).
• Inclusion on the interactive Techville.us 2010 website with company description and ability to list key contact information.
• Receive 5 copies of the 2′x3′ Techville 2010 poster.

Requirements:

• All logos must be submitted in a vector art 300 dpi file in one of the following formats: .eps, .ai, .pdf
• Submission deadline is January 31, 2010.

Click here to reserve your space electronically today!

Click Here to download a form, and submit by fax.

Matt Brandon Promoted to Vice-President of Bondware’s Web Solutions Division

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (January 18, 2009) – Bondware Inc. has promoted Matt Brandon to vice-president of its Bondware Web Solutions division. Matt joined Bondware directly out of college in 2007 and has worked in customer support, software development and business management roles at the company.

Matt graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007 with a degree in Computer Science. He is currently working on a Masters in Business Administration degree at MTSU. Matt and his wife, Lauren, reside in Murfreesboro.

“Matt has done a great job for us,” said Tim Choate, president of Bondware Inc. “His technical, business and people skills made him a natural choice for this position.”

Bondware Inc is a nine year old web technology company that provides affordable, web-based software to organizations allowing them to self-manage their web sites. The company also owns and operates e-commerce websites based upon its software. To learn more, please visit www.bondware.com.

Nashville Tech Story (1/25/10)

The students at last week’s Membership Breakfast certainly had a great time, and even got a laugh or two out of Steve Ballmer.  One gutsy student asked Ballmer to sign his MacBook Pro, and even caught it all on camera.  Ballmer showed his sense of humor by writing, “Need a new one?” next to his signature. 

Naturally, this video has gone viral, producing over 300,000 views in less than a week.  This goes to show, Nashville students certainly know the value of marketing and social media.

Nashville Tech Story (1/21/09)

In case you missed yesterday’s Membership Breakfast with Steve Ballmer, Trevecca Nazarene University was nice enough to share some of their photos with us.   Check out a slide show of event photos below:

Nashville Tech Story (1/20/10)

The Nashville Technology Council Staff could not be more excited about the amazing turnout of over 800 technology professionals today at our Second Annual Membership Breakfast, sponsored by ComFrame Software Corporation.  This marked the largest Tech Council event ever, and the crowd was full of energy and anticipation to hear what Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, might throw at them.  Innovation was a key topic this morning, as Ballmer discussed  Microsoft’s investments of over $9.5 Billion on R&D this year. Ballmer also noted, one key factor many individuals forget in innovation is patience. In addition, the audience also got a preview of the new version of x box 360, which has voice recognition technology among other advanced qualities.

Ballmer’s trip to Nashville, has certainly created a great deal of buzz from Nashville Technology Council Members.  See what participants had to say below:

devinmcc Good presentation this morning by Steve Ballmer (@Microsoft) at the @nashtechcouncil membership breakfast. More than 800 people there…

MattLargen @techville event: Microsoft CEO @Ballmer: overestimate short-term tech advances, underestimate long-term tech advances

MattLargen Live from @techville event: Microsoft CEO Ballmer: 50% of searches don’t lead to answers…Me: Bing Newseum app sounds interesting

WendyStoneberge Got a preview of project natal @techville event. Wow and wow again.

SLIatBU Heard Steve Ballmer, CEO-Microsoft, present to the Nashville Technology Council this am. The future of technology is bright in Nashville!

jamessholmes Great talk by steve ballmer of Microsoft here in Nashville. Showing the next version of x box360.

muzikcitee Steve Ballmer: “I needed to do some research, so I fired up my favorite trusty search engine: BING!”

thommycho Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, speaks about innovation and the future. Amazing stuff. Interesting guy.

muzikcitee Ballmer: “Microsoft will be plenty good for the average skateboarder.”

abbielundberg Ballmer equating Bing to The Little Engine that Could. Also new for MS: humility (tho he says just being numerically correct!)

caparks I must be drugged… Ballmer just said “social networking” and “fan groups” “bing!” and the Little Engine That Could #microsoft

abbielundberg Ballmer: Windows 7 – took our cue from customers – end customers and developers. Me: probably as important as anything else why its better

caparks Ballmer presenting theme of “Seamless experience across your life” of cloud/server …and Natural User Interface aka 3screens + theCloud

NASHVILLE, Jan. 15, 2010 – The Nexus Group, the strategic data, network and consulting services provider headquartered in Nashville, today announced Steven Brugman has been appointed president and CEO.

Brugman joined Nexus in October as the company’s chief operating officer.  He previously served 14 years with Oracle Corporation, during which time he rose to vice president and general manager for strategic-accounts consulting.

In addition, Robert England has been appointed Nexus’ chief financial officer.  England is a Nexus co-owner and board member, as well as a veteran of HCA executive ranks.

Brugman said in a release issued by Nexus today, “Alongside our customers, Nexus is moving forward in an environment that demands a sharp sense of purpose and full dedication to excellence.  We recognize this same environment affords the Nashville business community every reason to celebrate new and growing Nashville ventures, strengthened by Nashville’s strong presence in healthcare, finance, logistics and digital entertainment.”

Brugman added, “Our customers, like forward-looking businesses nationwide, are stepping-up their efforts to protect and leverage business knowledge and the data, connectivity and applications that are essential to business operations and relationships.  As America returns to work, this translates into greater emphasis on contributing to the bottom line, and that’s a priority we know, very well.”

Brugman, 43, served in a variety of roles with Oracle, 1995-2009, and earlier served as a divisional marketing representative and financial analyst with John Deere Company.

He earned his MBA at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, in 1995; and, earned his bachelor’s in business at Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Neb., in 1989.

England, 51, served as an HCA executive for 26 years. Among his HCA positions were CFO of HCA Physician Services, and CEO of the Psychiatric Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Also during his HCA career, England held senior roles in hospital operations, physician recruitment and compensation and preferred-provider networks.  In addition to his continuing entrepreneurial interests in healthcare, real estate and insurance services, England has been a co-owner of Nexus since 1997.  He holds an active CPA and earned his bachelor’s in accounting at the University of Tennessee at Martin, in 1981.

In 2009, Nexus established new headquarters and consolidated its services in a 19,000-square-foot secure data center in Davidson County.

Prior to that move, Nexus maintained its headquarters and its Nashville Regional Exchange Point (NREP) facility in separate quarters on Nashville’s West End Avenue.  Nexus maintains additional data-center capacity in both Memphis and in the Knoxville area.

Privately held Nexus Group provides data-center and network services, as well as the Internet connectivity that has been among the company’s core offerings since the company’s founding in 1995 by Ken Russell and former CEO Jerry Dunlap.

Dunlap remains a Nexus owner, and Russell remains an owner and a vice president within Nexus operations.

Russell also maintains his ownership and development interest in closely allied Nashville-based Zoe Creative Services, a full-serve high-definition video-production, post-production and animation-services provider.

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