CBS Solutions Announces Name Change
Grand Rapids, Michigan, February, 2006 – When it comes to corporate names, Mike TenHarmsel certainly hopes that the third time will be the charm.
The founder and president of a Grand Rapids-area information technology consulting firm today announced that his company has changed its name to CBS Solutions, Inc. CBS Solutions offers a broad range of customized IT products and services, including software selection, development, deployment and management.
“I founded the company in 2001 as Consulting Brokerage Services,” explained TenHarmsel. “Even though we provided IT consulting services, the name confused people, who thought we were an investment banking firm.”
“We then attempted to shorten the name to CBS, but found we were making prospective clients nervous when we called and announced we were from CBS. We have now selected CBS Solutions, which builds on our original name and yet reflects what we do – build and implement software solutions. We do anticipate that this will be our corporate name from here on out.”
TenHarmsel has nearly 50 consultants – with an average of more than 15 years professional experience – working for CBS Solutions. The Company works with Fortune 500 companies and some of the state’s leading employers, including Pfizer, Kellogg, Alticor, Stryker and Alcoa.
“Our team is dedicated, knowledgeable and committed to providing flexible solutions to our customers’ business issues,” TenHarmsel explained. “We deliver quality IT products and services that are on the caliber of large consulting firms – but without their overhead.”
About CBS Solutions
CBS Solutions is an IT consulting firm that partners with businesses to build and implement software solutions. The Company offers a broad range of customized IT products and services, including software selection, development, deployment and management. CBS Solutions works with Fortune 500 companies and some of the state’s leading employers, including Pfizer, Kellogg, Alticor, Stryker and Alcoa. For more information, go to www.seekconsulting.com.
CBS Solutions Partners with CORE Services to Serve Manufacturing Sector
Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 10, 2006 - CBS Solutions and CORE Services Group, LLC have signed a partnership agreement to supply and implement software packages for small- and medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing sector.
The two Grand Rapids-area companies have chosen OpenMFG, an enterprise resource planning software package that will allow companies to integrate all departments and functions into a single computer system. The partnership will expand the breadth of services that CBS Solutions and CORE Services offer to clients, allowing them to serve companies in the $10 million to $50 million range.
"The ERP software available on the market has traditionally catered to large companies, and been priced accordingly," said Mike TenHarmsel, president of CBS Solutions. "Most mid- to small-sized businesses would benefit from a fully functional ERP system, but can't afford a top-tier software package.
"We feel that OpenMFG will be an affordable, efficient software for small manufacturers who are looking to integrate and upgrade their computer systems. CBS and CORE went through an extensive review and selection process before concluding that OpenMFG offers the best solution for companies in our market. We are very pleased to be working with CORE on this new venture."
CBS Solutions and CORE Services have worked together for the past eight years to implement large ERP software programs. As authorized dealers of OpenMFG, the two companies will sell, implement and service this highly specialized ERP software.
"West Michigan is still home to a high concentration of manufacturers, and we think this package will meet a tremendous need in the market," said Scott Zuke, senior partner with CORE Services. "OpenMFG offers tremendous functionality to a market that previously had to settle for smaller packages that lacked the manufacturing functionality critical for business success.
"We are committed to providing the tools and solutions that our manufacturers need to compete successfully in the global market. We have enjoyed our relationship with CBS Solutions and look forward to partnering with them on this new business segment."
About CBS Solutions
CBS Solutions is an IT consulting firm that partners with businesses to build and implement software solutions. The Company offers a broad range of customized IT products and services, including software selection, development, deployment and management. Based in Grand Rapids, CBS Solutions works with Fortune 500 companies and some of the state’s leading employers, including Pfizer, Kellogg, Alticor, Stryker and Alcoa. For more information, go to www.seekconsulting.com.
About Core Services Group
Core Services Group, LLC is a professional services organization specializing in ERP implementations. The Company combines business knowledge with technology expertise to create solutions that bring real, tangible value to clients. Based in Grand Rapids, Core Services offers software implementation and optimization, migration and upgrades, web enablement and integration and education and workshops. For additional information, visit www.coreservicesgroup.com.
Mayor Heartwell to Give Wireless Update at glimaWest Meeting
CBS Solutions & DPT Solutions Co-Sponsor Event
Grand Rapids, Mich., June 8, 2006 - Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell will join local community and technology leaders to give an update on the city's broadband wireless initiative on Thursday, June 29.
Heartwell will serve as the keynote speaker for the June glimaWest meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. at the Donnelly Center on the campus of Aquinas College. Heartwell and city staffers who are leading the project will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer period.
The GLIMA event is co-sponsored by CBS Solutions and DPT Solutions, two Grand Rapids-based IT consulting firms. The event is open to the media.
"We are pleased that Mayor Heartwell will be able to join us for an update on the broadband wireless initiative," said Randy Shier, president of glimaWest. "Grand Rapids is on the leading edge of cities across the country interested in providing affordable community-wide access to the Internet. We see tremendous potential for this type of network and look forward to facilitating discussion as the project moves forward."
Grand Rapids leaders first proposed the idea of community-wide broadband wireless network during the summer of 2005. In January 2006, the city held a Wireless Summit and began focusing on the shape such an initiative would take. City leaders sent out requests for proposals to prospective wireless providers, receiving responses from nine providers.
During the glimaWest meeting, Heartwell and project leadership will discuss the review and evaluation process for proposals, which is scheduled to begin in mid-June. The city plans to award the contract in mid-July, with the project to begin in late October.
"We strongly support the Grand Rapids wireless initiative and are pleased to co-sponsor this important update meeting," said Mike TenHarmsel, president of CBS Solutions. "A network of this type can offer substantial economic and business benefits to our community, opening doors to all residents."
Henry Morley, president of DPT Solutions, agreed and added: "Grand Rapids is very forward thinking to engage with the private sector to ensure that a city-wide wireless network will be viable, both technologically and financially. DPT Solutions is pleased to be part of this important initiative."
About glimaWest
glimaWest is a nonprofit professional association that supports and promotes the growth of the interactive and technology industries throughout West Michigan. For more information, visit www.glimawest.org.
About CBS Solutions
CBS Solutions is an IT consulting firm that partners with businesses to build and implement software solutions. The Company offers a broad range of customized IT products and services, including software selection, development, deployment and management. Based in Grand Rapids, CBS Solutions works with Fortune 500 companies and some of the state's leading employers, including Pfizer, Kellogg, Alticor, Stryker and Alcoa. For more information, go to www.seekconsulting.com.
About DPT Solutions
DPT Solutions is an IT Consulting firm which delivers xRM value to business by integrating an organization's extended enterprise. In addition to customers, businesses have dealers, partners, suppliers, contractors, employees and other unique relationships to manage. Microsoft Dynamics solutions provide eXtended Relationship Management tools which leverage the skills, processes, and tools a business already uses to drive more value from existing investments. DPT Solutions' business driven approach provides a proven, systematic methodology, including strategy, people, process, data and technology components to drive project success and business value.
Quixtar Partners with CBS Solutions to Introduce
Personal Websites Program
Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 8, 2006 - Quixtar, Inc. is making online selling easier for hundreds of thousands of independent business owners through a "Personal Websites" program.
Based near Grand Rapids, Mich., Quixtar has engaged CBS Solutions, Inc. to assist with the application development of a sophisticated software program that will give IBOs the ability to create a customized e-commerce storefront. The sites are specifically designed to meet the needs of current customers and introduce new customers to a focused portfolio of products.
A visitor to the site is able to browse products, place and manage orders, and process returns in a focused, customer-oriented atmosphere. Each site is personalized with the business owner's name or business name. The sites, which each have a unique web address, take as little as 15 minutes to build and can be changed quickly and easily.
"By introducing this application, we have provided a means for IBOs to create a unique retail store on the Internet that is tailored to their businesses," said Heather Anderson, Quixtar's chief information officer. "By offering IBOs a quick and easy way to create their own sites, we're giving them an avenue for retailing products in a focused and personal manner.
"The response to the pilot phase of Personal Websites has been nothing short of phenomenal. So far, more than 44,000 IBOs have created more than 94,000 retail sites."
Through its "Personal Website Wizard," Quixtar offers an initial choice of four templates: health, beauty, health and beauty, or gift and incentive. The wizard then walks IBOs through a series of steps that allow them to select products they want to sell, and customize individual pages by selecting photos, text, graphics and other thematic elements to create a cohesive retail site.
CBS Solutions staff worked closely with Quixtar for more than nine months to develop the technology behind the Personal Website Wizard. Mike TenHarmsel, president of CBS Solutions, said that this type of technology will be extremely effective and cost-efficient for organizations looking to assist sales teams and distributors with promoting and selling products.
"Personal Websites will give Quixtar IBOs greater ability to track and manage the sales process," TenHarmsel explained. "Creating a personalized site will also allow IBOs to inject their personality and preferences into the site, while maintaining a consistent look and feel that is keeping with the tremendous quality that is the hallmark of the Quixtar brand."
Personal Websites include a reporting function, which will allow IBOs to track sales volume, product preferences, client registrations and the number of unique client visits.
Quixtar and CBS Solutions have already begun working on the next phase of the Personal Website project, which will offer greater functionality through a number of advanced features.
About CBS Solutions
CBS Solutions is an IT consulting firm that partners with businesses to build and implement software solutions. The Company offers a broad range of customized IT products and services, including software selection, development, deployment and management. Based in Grand Rapids, CBS Solutions works with Fortune 500 companies and some of the state's leading employers, including Pfizer, Kellogg, Alticor, Stryker and Alcoa. For more information, go to www.seekconsulting.com.
About Quixtar
Quixtar Inc., a subsidiary of Alticor Inc., is a business opportunity company that offers entrepreneurs the ability to have a web-based business of their own. Through Quixtar's Independent Business Ownership Plan, individuals are rewarded for product sales resulting from their business-building efforts.
Since 1999, Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar have generated more than $5.7 billion in sales, earning in excess of $1.7 billion in bonuses and other incentives. Their efforts have made Quixtar the number one retailer in the online health and beauty category based on sales, and 20th among all e-commerce sites, according to Internet Retailer's "Top 500 Guide."
CBS Solutions Welcomes New Operations Manager - Sue Kaupa
Grand Rapids, Michigan, September, 2006 - Suzanne Kaupa is the newest member of CBS Solutions, Inc. Sue joins us from the Kalamazoo area and will be serving as the Operations Manager.
Sue is originally from the Battle Creek area, moving to Mattawan with her husband and two children in October of 2005. She comes to us with a background in business administration and recruiting; her previous work experience aligns closely with CBS' operations including her similar role at Employment Group.
Please welcome Sue and contact her at skaupa@seekconsulting.com with any questions.
Merger of two leading Grand Rapids software firms spurs 12 area jobs
By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Grand Rapids, MI, April 3, 2008 - Two leading Grand Rapids technology companies recently announced a merger that created at least 12 new positions. CBS Solutions merged with Open Systems Technologies (OST) and President Dan Behm says he's ready to fill those jobs right away.
"I see the newspapers every night, and there's so much doom and gloom out there," Behm says. "We're one of the companies making a difference. We continue to add employees and continue to grow."
The jobs follow another year of phenomenal sales growth to $42 million, a combined total of the two companies, which represents a 40 percent increase. And while that's an impressive increase, it's the first time in five years the company has grown slower than 60 percent.
Behm is looking for a variety of talent, including an accountant, a controller, a sales manager, a tech person, a marketer, and four sales people—two for Grand Rapids, and one each for OST's newest markets, Indianapolis and Chicago. This comes on the heels of hiring four new folks a few weeks ago.
"For the last three years we've provided IT services in 27 states, and done most of that out of our Grand Rapids office," says Behm, mentioning they also have an office in Akron, OH. "With the addition of CBS Solutions we can now provide customers with end-to-end IT services because CBS fills the gaps between what we were able to provide and what we can now provide."
Behm says that OST expanded its offices in the Brassworks Building last November and plans to add another 1,600 to 2,000 square feet soon.
Source: Dan Behm, Open Systems Technologies; Craig Clark, Clark Communications
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Grand Rapids, Mich., March 31, 2008 - Open Systems Technologies Inc. has joined with CBS Solutions Inc. in a merger of Grand Rapids-based companies in the IT industry. The addition of CBS more than doubles OST’s capacity for consulting engagements, adding services such as application development, implementation and IT staff augmentation.
According to a news release, together, CBS and OST are projected to increase revenue from $30 million in 2007 to more than $40 million dollars in 2008.
The collective staff of full-time employees and contractors now exceeds 70 people, including more than 50 technical and business process consultants. OST, which began in 1997, is located in the Brass Works Building in downtown Grand Rapids.
Founded in 2001, CBS Solutions will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of OST. Mike TenHarmsel, president of CBS, has joined OST as an owner and will continue his role as the leader of OST’s CBS Solutions practice.
“CBS has a great reputation in the marketplace for outstanding service to its customers” said Dan Behm, president of OST. BJ
