Synesis7 has productive year – high-tech firm in Butte could employ nearly 200 people by 2006

Synesis7, http://synesis7.com/ the high-tech firm in Butte that holds a contract with the U.S. Navy, has been quietly growing in the past year, and if projections hold true, it could employ nearly 200 people by 2006.

"We could hit 70 to 100 people by this time next year," said Allen Ellmaker, chief executive officer.

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard

http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2004/03/14/featuresbusiness/hjjfjgifjahehf.txt

Synesis was recruited to Butte last year and is in the process of outgrowing its home in the Thornton Building, Broadway and Wyoming. Another Uptown building, the former home of Merdi/MSE on the northeast corner of Alaska and Granite, is being remodeled to accommodate Synesis.

But even that might not be enough.

"We might have to look at remodeling (an Uptown building) or building," said Ellmaker, the soft-spoken, studious head of Synesis and one of 19 people busy fulfilling Synesis’ work with the government. However, Ellmaker believes that in addition to its government customers, the work at Synesis can translate into the commercial world as well.

The company has high-tech offerings but is best known for its ability to take a manual and turn it into an digitized version, a process that lends itself to all kinds of possibilities.

"It’s an intelligent interactive manual," Ellmaker said.

For example, a mechanic working on a F-18, for example, could access information about the craft easily and fast with a manual he can read and see on a computer screen. He could even go to the exact place he needs instead of thumbing through thick paper manuals. Synesis’ work also allows for instant updates of material, an invaluable tool: the military doesn’t have to spend more money to print more manuals with the right material or distribute awkward paper corrections that can get lost or misplaced.

And although that idea may be easier to grasp, Synesis7 works in other areas as well.

"Everybody thinks we’re just into digitization, but that’s not all we do," Ellmaker said. The business also counts information technology services, a virtual technical and management team support, systems integration, engineering and managed services among its offerings.

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Synesis7 Headquarters Contact Information

65 East Broadway Suite 300

Butte, MT 59701

406-533-6750

Fax: 406-782-6116

Email: [email protected]

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"Allen Ellmaker is a visionary entrepreneur who has poured his heart, soul and fortune into developing a a technology that will benefit America and help grow Butte in the process. We are happy that he chose Butte for his company’s home," said Evan Barrett of the Butte Local Development Corp., one of the groups that helped land Synesis7 in Butte.

As customers and contracts develop, Ellmaker fully expects Synesis7 to be in high demand — and that translates into more jobs for not only Butte but Montana as well. Now, Synesis is mostly the home to engineers and programmers, which have been hard to find in the state although a wide net has been cast into other communities.

Ellmaker is working with city officials and educational institutions to ensure a future supply of such specialized workers but notes that more entry-level opportunities should be available as the business gears up to do the work necessary to change paper manuals to cyber manuals.

Conversion specialists can expect to make $13 to $17 an hour and will be for trainable high school graduates.

"That’s the other exciting part of it, eventually we won’t have enough manpower," he predicted. To help accommodate demand, Ellmaker is prepared to offer opportunities in other Montana towns and the state’s reservations.

"No matter what happens, Butte is headquarters," he said.

In addition, Synesis expects to open offices in San Diego, close to NavAir, Synesis’ main customer, and Washington, D.C., home to government. But the commercial part of the business also intrigues Ellmaker, who believes is an underserved market and could use Synesis’ help.

"The commercial side is as large or larger," he said. For example, the medical field is prime opportunity and Ellmaker envisions a type of handheld interactive device that could deliver vital, pertinent information right in emergency rooms or operating rooms. Conversion could also be used for manufacturers and even agriculture.

To help groom clients and pave the way for Synesis, Ellmaker believes in a open environment. Customers sit down with Synesis’ representatives to help determine how information is needed, used and delivered. That method actually helps drive the product and is unusual with competitors.

"It all comes down to our willingness to stand out and take the lead," he said.

Synesis7 was recruited to Butte by several groups who believe in its potential to become a major employer in Butte and fill a high-tech niche so desired by the community. The Butte Local Development Corp., Merdi/MSE, local government and the Urban Revitalization Agency all played part in providing support, money and a friendly face to lure the company here when it was eyeing other Montana communities.

In fact, Ellmaker said that the support and creativity of those groups, as well as the friendliness and reception of the town all helped sway the decision in Butte’s favor.

A longtime supporter of Ellmaker and his work is MSE’s senior vice president and chief financial officer Bill Robinson. In fact, MSE, which is also charged with economic development, among its civic responsibilities, has an equity interest in the company and helped bring it to Butte.

"I think it’s really great technology and the growth potential is tremendous," he said. "As it grows, it will lead to all levels of jobs."