Neubix Studios: Company changes name, expands services

|tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

A name change means more development for Neubix Studios, formerly known as Absolutionz LLC. |ret||ret||tab|

Brad Smith, owner of Neubix, said the name change has allowed business to expand from strictly a Web development company to an interactive studio.|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to Web development, Neubix Studios offers Neubix Interactive media services, commercial production, DVD production and corporate branding development.|ret||ret||tab|

"As we've branched into some larger cities Kansas City being one of those we're getting clients that not only need Web development, but they wanted our services for logo design and company branding and advertising and media," Smith said.|ret||ret||tab|

Smith first opened Absolutionz in October 2001 after purchasing the Web site development division of Atlas Communications. |ret||ret||tab|

"With the old name we were an absolute Web solutions company, and now with Neubix Interactive and Neubix Studios we are more of an agency," Smith said.|ret||ret||tab|

Neubix has a program known as Managerz, which allows companies to have complete access to their Web sites, allowing for changes at any time by the business. Smith said a full site with a full-content management program can cost $15,000 to $30,000. |ret||ret||tab|

Since February, the company has experienced record growth in new contracts, Smith said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Last year, typically, we would find an average Web development project to be between $6,000 and $8,000. This year alone we've closed several contracts near the $30,000 mark," Smith said. |ret||ret||tab|

As a result, the company plans to open a Kansas City office this winter. Three employees will be needed for initial operations in the new office. The company recently added two new positions to the Springfield office, for a total of five local employees. Randy Sims was also promoted to vice president.|ret||ret||tab|

Competition is one main reason for the company's expansion into Kansas City.|ret||ret||tab|

"There is a lot of competition in Kansas City; we need competition. We provide very high-end services and with those high-end services can come higher prices. When we are competing with companies in the same ballpark, that's very good," Smith said. |ret||ret||tab|

Smith said the company's rates range from $75 to $110 an hour. Smith said competing companies in Kansas City and California charge $120 to $130 hour, making Neubix's lower rates an advantage. Smith said he does not expect to increase hourly production rates. |ret||ret||tab|

Money saved on travel will help cover additional lease expenses.|ret||ret||tab|

"If you look at our expenses right now, the gas charges every month and travel expenses every month, food and hotel costs, it's very possible that a very good chunk of our rent is right there," Smith said.|ret||ret||tab|

While Neubix is based in Springfield, "Eighty percent of our business is done outside of Missouri," Smith said. |ret||ret||tab|

Some of the company's largest local clients include Banta Foods. Neubix recently signed a contract with Springfield Public Schools and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.|ret||ret||tab|

With continued growth, Smith said he has no plans to franchise and he wants to remain a small business.|ret||ret||tab|

"We enjoy being a small business. No matter how much we grow; not matter how many offices we have, we don't really ever plan to have more than 15 to 20 employees. Because of that we can provide the quality that we still do. We're small enough to constantly give the same level of service to all our clients," Smith said.|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]