Milford company creating innovative touch software

MILFORD - R&D Industries has been a part of Milford's business community for 27 years. R&D has three core divisions: acoustical engineering and consulting, computer networking, and Thinix. Thinix began eight years ago because the company wanted computers to be secure, easy to use and reliable. The three focus points of Thinix are education, healthcare and industrial computing. Companies they work with include Dell, HP, Intel and Panasonic.

In June 2010, Thinix began a three month process of working to get a demonstration fund grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The focus of the grant for was Thinix's classroom technology, which allowed every student their own computer. Thinix did their 10 minute presentation, and their request was denied. "We started the process not understanding what they had approved and not approved in the past," said Don Van Oort, CTO of Thinix. "When we started, it looked like the grant could be used to fund product development, but what they really want is a product which is completely done and ready for market."

That's when Van Oort was introduced to Brian Dalziel, senior vice president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor. With Dalziel's guidance, Thinix came to understand what IDED was looking for.

The focus of the grant changed to the Thinix Touch technology that enables tablets running Microsoft Windows operating systems to be more "finger friendly." The Windows operating system on tablets looks just like it does on a desktop or laptop, with small icons that are difficult to navigate. Thinix Touch is a much more user-friendly interface with big buttons, automatic keyboard and integrated screen rotation technology. Thinix's goal is to have Thinix Touch pre-installed on all Windows tablets.

Thinix Touch can take you from the image on the left, which is difficult to navigate, to the image on the right, which is much more finger friendly.

"It's made in Iowa. 100 percent of the software is written here. It's genuine Iowa intellectual property," said Van Oort. The technology was ready, but Thinix was in need of funding assistance to get the product out to the market.

They second time they presented to IDED, Thinix was successful. The company was recently notified in that they were awarded a $50,000 demonstration grant fund.

"Without the help of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, we honestly wouldn't have had a chance at being successful obtaining this grant," said Van Oort. "We didn't understand the process. Brian and Kathy were vital assets; they understood what IDED was looking for."

"We are proud to have played a part in helping Thinix obtain the funding to market this exciting technology product," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. "The business coaching services available through the Iowa Lakes Corridor office are a way to help grow existing and start-up businesses whose growth will create new jobs for this region."

Thinix currently has 30 employees. "We are poised to grow explosively," said Van Oort. He noted that he wouldn't be surprised if they had 50 employees within the next few years. "We want to grow in a sustainable way; we want to be a long-term player." Van Oort said they are hiring software engineers, marketing and sales people.

To find out more about Thinix, visit their website.  

Cindy Donohue Greer started Medi-Claim Solutions in 1986.

SPENCER - It's surprising how many businesses in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region have been here for more than 20 years, yet many residents have never heard of them. One such business is Medi-Claim Solutions in Spencer. Owned by Cindy Donohue Greer, MCS has been in the region since 1986. They recently acquired new office space at 1812 24^th Avenue West, Suite 201.

In 1986, Greer was living in Denver, Colorado. Her brother, Dr. Michael Donohue, is an orthopedic surgeon in Spirit Lake. He was creating clinics to treat back and neck pain, and recruited his sister to do the finances. Of the 12 clinics created, nine are currently operating.

Greer grew up in Sioux City, and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in industrial administration. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. Greer is a member of the American Medical Billers Association; AMBA offers certification, training and guidance to its 2,000 members.

Medi-Claim Solutions is a full-service medical billing and coding company. They contract with general practitioners, durable medical equipment providers such as hearing aid, mental health professionals, medic's clinics and hospitals. MCS also works with third parties such as attorneys and workman's compensation companies.

"This is a business where an ounce of prevention is worth 100 pounds of cure," said Greer. Having a claim denied can be a long and tedious process. MCS works hard to ensure a clean claim the first time. In 2010, the company collected $16 million for providers. "And that's coming in $200 and $300 increments," said Greer. "There is a lot of detail work involved."

MCS recently switched from paper files to an online storage and filing system. A long remittance used to take two people nearly two days to apply. When done electronically, they can process 700 transactions per second. MCS encourages their practitioners to sign up for these online efficiencies. "The web-based program offers transparency to clients. It makes being a virtual partner easier, and offers advantages to patients," said Greer.

"We would like to work with local practitioners," said Greer. MCS currently doesn't have any local clients; some do their billing in-house and some outsource to other billing companies.

MCS signed a contract with a recruiting company earlier this month, and they plan on having 35-40 new clients by August. "We're going to focus on growing and adding clientele. We do a good job for the providers. We focus on customer service - not just to the provider, but to their patients as well," said Greer.

To find out more about Medi-Claim Solutions, visit their website, www.medi-claimsolutions.com, or call Greer at 712-264-1083.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor is proud to launch the Women in Business Club. To join, a woman must own her own business and want to meet with other women in business to share ideas, challenges, successes and grow professional relationships. Those interested in joining should contact Pat McGill, at 712-332-2965, patmcgill@mchsi.com or Jean Tennant at 712-490-5165. Women from throughout the Corridor region are encouraged to attend these meetings. 

STORM LAKE - The Iowa Lakes Corridor region is never at a loss for fun during the summertime. Be sure to add this one to your calendar of events: Lakefest 2011!

Lakefest 2011 will be held in Storm Lake on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. This new event will feature two days of family fun. Friday will kick off with free live entertainment at the Regatta Grille from 8-11 p.m.

Saturday's events will begin at 8 a.m. with a Marina to Marina Walk, Run and Roll 10K, sponsored by Faith, Hope & Charity. At 10 a.m., Lakeshore Cyclery will host a bicycle ride around the lake. Public tasting for the BBQ Competition will be held 2-3 p.m. in Sunrise Campground, with the winners being announced at 3 p.m. The Fitzpatrick Third Annual Car Show will be held from 1-3 p.m.

Lakefest will conclude with an evening concert on the great lawn. The opening band is Korcel Norteno, a Latino band from Storm Lake. Dustin Bogue, a Sac City-native, will be performing with Andy Brasher, and May City-native Shawn Mayer will also perform. The concerts will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 in advance at King's Pointe Resort, Storm Lake United and KKIA radio station. Tickets will be $15 at the gate. 

For a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.visitstormlake.com/lakefest-1.aspx.