Ash Grove goes extra mile for development: TopShelf expands with city's help

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For the city of Ash Grove the mission was to bring a former community employer back home.|ret||ret||tab|

Last year city approached Tony Iaguessa, majority owner of TopShelf Systems Inc. in Willard, about moving his business back to the town he started working in nine years ago. The city's intention was to offer the company a deal it couldn't pass up, thus bringing tax revenue and employment options to Ash Grove.|ret||ret||tab|

In May 2002, the city of Ash Grove sold TopShelf just less than an acre of property in the industrial park for $10. Construction on TopShelf's 2,400-square-foot building at 701 Industrial Drive is expected to be completed by July. |ret||ret||tab|

"(The city is) giving us the opportunity to allow our business to grow and prosper at the right price,"said Tara Barhan, TopShelf co-owner.|ret||ret||tab|

The company, which provides the CyberBOS 2002 computer program to 100 hardware stores and lumber yards in 22 states, plans to hire 10 new employees once the building is complete, and then expand by another 2,400 square feet. The company currently has four full-time and one part-time employees.|ret||ret||tab|

TopShelf received a construction loan for $43,000 from First National Bank of Willard, but Iaguessa said the company expects to spend between $50,000 and $60,000 on completing the project. |ret||ret||tab|

Iaguessa said the company, now at 304 Jackson Ave., Ste. A, in Willard, is expected to make $1.6 million this year and twice that amount in 2004.|ret||ret||tab|

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CyberBOS|ret||ret||tab|

TopShelf's original program, known as Cybersoft, allowed stores to use electrical devices for point-of-sale and inventory functions through a DOS system. To meet the need for Microsoft Windows compatibility, Iaguessa spent three years developing CyberBOS 2000 (Cyber Business Operating System). The program quickly upgraded to CyberBOS 2002, Point of Sale for Windows.|ret||ret||tab|

This program allows for point-of-sale functions, inventory control, accounts receivable, payroll management, purchasing and bid-master through Windows. |ret||ret||tab|

TopShelf is the only specialized software company in the nation with wireless point-of-sale scanning using a Pocket P.C., Iaguessa said. |ret||ret||tab|

Before the purchase, trial versions on a CD-ROM can be sent to a company or downloaded from the Web site at www.cyberbos.com. There is no time limit on using the trial version, but the program only allows for 1,000 invoices. After 1,000 invoices are used, the trial program will shut down. So far, the company has sent out at least 3,000 copies of the program in addition to the Internet downloads.|ret||ret||tab|

"Our idea was to get the software out so people could have something to use without having to put an investment up front." Iaguessa said.|ret||ret||tab|

When a company wants to go live with the program, CyberBOS provides a complete list of the store's products. Cost for a complete multiuser hardware store program starts at $10,000 with upgrades costing $800. Multiple-user programs for smaller stores are $5,000 and single-user programs start at $1,500.|ret||ret||tab|

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Software success |ret||ret||tab|

Since 1994 TopShelf's software usage has expanded from three to 22 states. Iaguessa said there are more than 71,000 independently owned hardware stores and lumber yards in the United States that could use this system. Justin's Hardware & Service in Willard is the test market for new products from TopShelf. Owner Justin Goodwyn said the time saved on paperwork and inventory has helped his 5-year-old business.|ret||ret||tab|

"I was spending about six hours printing reports (each month), now it takes only three minutes," Justin said. |ret||ret||tab|

TopShelf is one of only four companies in the United States that specialize in computer software for independent hardware stores and lumber companies, Iaguessa said. The program can also be adapted for other small businesses.|ret||ret||tab|

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Hardware history|ret||ret||tab|

Iaguessa started working as a sales rep in 1994 for Allen Noland, owner of Wichita, Kan.-based Cybersoft Inc., which sold the Cybersoft computer billing system. By 1996, the company had products in 18 states and became too much for Noland, who asked Iaguessa to buyout the company. Iaguessa purchased of Cybersoft Inc. for $124,000, renamed it TopShelf Systems Inc. and moved the company office to Ash Grove. In 1997, Barhan joined Iaguessa as CFO and part-owner. |ret||ret||tab|

TopShelf moved to Willard in 1999. By 2001, the retail sales division of the company had diminished while software development and sales continued to grow with the development of CyberBOS 2000 and CyberBOS 2002.|ret||ret||tab|

The company is in the process of developing CyberBOS 2003, which will be available in 2004. |ret||ret||tab|

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