Company carves niche in Web development market

Absolutionz, a Web site development company located at 2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., in Chesterfield Village, originally was the Web site development division of Atlas Communications.

Brad Smith, the company's owner and chief executive officer, came to Spring-field from Cape Girardeau in 1997. He studied computer technology at South-west Missouri State University and worked for a short time at Computer Renaissance.

"This exposure got me interested in graphics for ads and the Internet," Smith said.

In 1998, he accepted a position to At-las Communications, in charge of Web development, and began his career in computer technology.

When he joined Atlas, Smith said, the company already had branched out onto the Internet, offering Web site hosting.

On Oct. 1, 2001, it was announced that Smith was purchasing the Web site de-velopment division from Atlas.

"This is a dream of mine, to own and operate an Internet development firm," Smith said.

The five-member team at Absolutionz includes a programmer, graphic designer, marketing specialist and systems administrator, and all have a part in the production of software, Smith said.

"We are looking to double our number of employees in less than a year," he said.

Smith first looked at the downtown area for space to house his offices. The buildings he found with enough space to accommodate his company were at least a year from completion for occupancy, but Smith didn't have a year to wait.

Finally, he chose Chesterfield Village as the location for Absolutionz because, as a design-specialty firm, he wanted to portray a certain image. He liked the idea of the old-town look in a modern, upscale facility.

Smith and his staff, who range in age from 20 to 35 years, have developed between 15 to 20 applications to provide clients with Web sites they can manage and edit on their own. Though the company does hosting and consulting, the focus is on Web site development.

"One thing we do well is integrate the business with the Internet," Smith said.

With a $75 per-hour base rate, Smith and his associates write a proposal and bid tailor-made to the client's needs. The customer knows the cost up front.

"We launch it and if they never call us again, they can manage on their own."

Extensive research is required, both on the Web and in the local market area, to determine how best to fit the needs of a client. Not all businesses need broad-based Internet exposure, Smith stated. Advertising needs are approached on a per case bases.

Of the Web applications the firm has developed, one program now available online at the company's Web site is listed under the trademark name Templux. For a flat fee plus a monthly rate, the program allows small companies to build their own Web sites.

Along with the do-it-yourself kit and Web site development for marketing purposes, Absolutionz also provides tracking programs to enable companies to track projects and employees online.

Among the local companies the firm has provided service to are MoDoCo Inc. and Elliott Robinson & Company. One national company Absolutionz recently completed a project for is Study Smarts, out of Florida, which provides data na-tionwide to promote studying in schools.

Smith said he and his staff work on about seven to 10 projects at one time. The primary goal is to find the best marketing niche for the client and what means will fit best each individual situation. At least two associates are on call 24 hours a day to make sure systems are up and running around the clock.

While word of mouth has given the company a boost locally, Smith said the company's Web site, www.absolu tionz.com provides national exposure.