Ozarks Profile: Nancy Cribbs

What is your job?

Nancy Cribbs is president of the Springfield division of Integrated Solutions Group.

How did you develop an interest in computers?

Cribbs was working in data processing for Farmland Industries in Hutchison, Kan., when she acquired her first personal computer, a Radio Shack TRS-80. "I just thought they were exciting inventions then, and I still do," she said. "I couldn't believe you could put all that information in that tiny little system."

How did your company begin?

Cribbs and some partners opened a ComputerLand franchise store in Springfield in 1982, she said. In 1998, the firm became the Integrated Solutions Group, which today has branches in Columbia, Springfield, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. "We still keep the ComputerLand listing in the phonebook," she said, "so people can find us easily."

What services does your company offer?

Cribbs said Integrated Solutions provides hardware, software, training, networking and consulting for a wide spectrum of operations. "We sell networking, the communications side of the Internet, and Internet-dedicated lines," she said. "We sell ISDN, T1 and Frame Relay. We sell wireless. Not cellular, but wireless. We also sell and install a paperless imaging package. ... We also sell and install business computer systems from Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Apple." She added that the company is offering a new kind of training. "It's called virtual training.' It's all online but instructor-led. We also still go out on site and teach classes, and we send trainers to businesses to teach specific applications."

What do you see in the future for the computer world?

Cribbs said she isn't a prognosticator, but "I do see a combination of communication and information systems groups and businesses coming together with the advent of the telephony products. Telephone people and people in charge of computers were separate and now they're combining. Videoconferencing is something we do, too. So many businesses are using videoconferencing from different locations without having to have people travel. When you think what that costs, videoconferencing can really be beneficial."

What's the best part of being in the computer business?

"The people I have surrounding me. They're what makes the difference and makes the business. I have great people. I have one employee who's been with me since 1983 and four or five who've been with us over 10 years."

What about family life and hobbies?

Cribbs is married and has five children, three girls and two boys ranging in age from 13 to 18. "Three are stepchildren," she said, "but I love them all equally. We raise horses and we all love the rodeo. That's our life. The children ... compete in rodeo events barrel-racing, pole bending, team roping and calf roping. The girls actually goat-tie and do breakaway roping. No, Mom isn't going to try."

How does the computer world fit into your family life?

Cribbs believes the children's grades are better because of the Internet. "Having five kids in school, the research they do at home that they would've had to do other places, is of great benefit," she said. "Sometimes you wonder what you did without the Internet."

by Frank Shipe