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Contact:
Bill Murphy
www.MiddletownEDC.org
One Donham Plaza
Middletown, Ohio 45042
513-727-5320 phone
513-425-7921 fax

Our Passion:
To Increase employment, promote investment, and encourage economic growth and diversity in
Middletown Ohio.

Contact:
Bill Murphy
www.MiddletownEDC.org
One Donham Plaza
Middletown, Ohio 45042
513-727-5320 phone
513-425-7921 fax

Click here for more information on the
Fiber Optic Backbone

Click here for an
I-Fiber brochure.

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Fiber Optic Backbone
Providing bandwidth to the community is a cornerstone of our new economic development strategy.

Butler County Fiber
Optics honored
Technology Articles
Research & Development
Education & Training
Manufacturers' Business Utility Program

Innovative Fiber Optic Solutions
Brings residents and businesses in Middletown a the first true choice in high-speed Internet access and local telephone services. Their reliable, secure wireless technology uses a fiber optic network to beam signals directly to your home or business.

Copyright © 2005 Middletown Economic Development Corporation. All rights reserved.
One Donham Plaza, Middletown, Ohio 45044
phone 513-727-5320, fax 513-425-7921,
e-mail Bill Murphy

TECHNOLOGY ARTICLES

The series mostly focuses on technology and how it plays in everyday business. But it approaches this venue from a much
simplified discussion.

- Part I
The Problem With
Information Technology

- Part III
The Problem With
Information Technology

Fiber Optic Backbone
Providing bandwidth to the community is a cornerstone of our new economic development strategy. The "open-access" fiber system will assure market competition by allowing anyone wanting to offer telecommunications and information services to our community access to the system. Local businesses will be provided with needed bandwidth, prices decrease, and the introduction of new technologies to our market will be facilitated.
Click on map for larger view

Middletown may see jobs from fiber optics
By Mary Lolli, Butler County Bureau

HAMILTON — A fiber optics project in Middletown could open up Butler County to more high-tech jobs with the help of the county’s fiber optics network.

The County Commission in July approved a $112,000 advance from the county’s revolving loan fund to aid in the purchase of equipment for I-Fiber, a fiber optics technology company that develops systems to enhance telecommunications capabilities for cable television, telephone companies and other service providers.

On Thursday, I-Fiber President Patrick Heinz told commissioners the company has since developed contracts with more than 100 businesses utilizing fiber optics to improve services to customers.

“We literally represent hundreds of potential new service providers and anticipate that within the next three years we will help to bring 100 new high-tech jobs to the Middletown area,” Heinz said.

Originally based in Dayton, I-Fiber moved its headquarters to Middletown because of the county’s installation of a broad-band fiber optics network.

I-Fiber’s project enabled Middletown phone customers to get toll-free service to the Dayton area.

“We’re not in competition with service providers,” Heinz said. “We’re providing the technology they need to enhance and expand their services to customers.”

For example, Heinz said it would cost I-Fiber about $100,000 to extend its network to connect with the cable television system in Lebanon. But that connection would translate to a nearly 50 percent reduction in the cost of cable television services to Middletown customers because it opens the system up to competition.

Likewise, for about $60,000, Heinz said I-Fiber could extend its network to Oxford, where businesses are struggling with inadequate Internet connections.

One business, Cash Flow Solutions, an electronic bill payment service, moved four full-time jobs overseas, saying that more advanced Internet services are available in countries like India.

“We have recently experienced a great deal of growth in our community,” said Kasey Princell, chief executive officer of Cash Flow. “But with that growth we have experienced several hurdles due to limited secure Internet services.

“The technology to provide secure, reliable, high-speed Internet service isn’t available in Oxford,” Princell said. “So now, we’re having to consider moving some of our call center jobs overseas.”

County Commissioner Michael Fox asked county Economic Development Director Andy Kuchta to research financing options that could help “accelerate” I-Fiber’s ability to expand its network throughout the county.

Published 01.30.04

Reprinted with the permission of the

Butler County Fiber Optics honored
By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau

HAMILTON — Butler County is receiving national recognition for its development of a fiberoptic network geared toward promoting industry and growth.

The National Association of Counties has chosen the Butler County Fiber Optics Backbone for a 2004 NACo Achievement Award. County Commissioner Michael Fox and County Administrator Derek Conklin will accept the award July 18 at the 2004 NACo Annual Conference and Exposition in Phoenix, Ariz.

The NACo award is given to county commissions nationwide whose innovative programs contribute and enhance county government, NACo officials said.

“The program goes far beyond the requirements placed on the Butler County Board of Commissioners,” according to the award nomination.

“The Board of Commissioners has used initiative, imagination and creative organization to develop a bold approach to a national problem of deadlocked broadband technology deployment. The results are arriving, and so far they are entirely positive,” according to the nomination for the award.

Installation of Butler County’s fiberoptics network in 2002 opened the door to high-speed connectivity for business, industry and education and could soon be helping residents enjoy more efficient delivery of public services in their homes, county officials said.

The direct connection would also generate competition among cable television and telephone providers, and could result in reduced monthly rates, according to county officials.

In spring 2003, Miami University inaugurated the network after installation of the first leg of the system. A connection was established from Evendale, through West Chester Township, Hamilton and into Oxford, enabling the university to become its first user.

Fox said he is pleased at being recognized for what he said has been a long and costly, but worthwhile, project.

“We’re far from done, but we’ve built the foundation to provide services to our residents and businesses and to enhance public safety,” Fox said. “We were able to overcome (obstacles) and have one of the finest and most unique county networks in the country.”

The county’s investment in the project is $2.75 million for purchase of the system and $100,000 annually for operation and maintenance services, which are being provided by Cincinnati Bell.

Published 06.27.04

The Problem With Information Technology - Part I

By Clancy Cross, University of Dayton
October 6, 2003

"Computers, I hate 'em!" Well not always, but I frequently vent my frustration with an outburst like this. It's a love/hate relationship we all have with computer technology. On good days we might act like a couple of macho guys at a bar, boasting of our latest computer purchase as if it were an exercise in comparative anatomy. "Mine is bigger than yours. Oh yeah? How big is your CPU? Ha! Mine's twice that and I've got more RAM, too." But, as soon as the first thing goes wrong, we turn ugly and threaten to boot that "hunk of junk" out the window.

So, when it comes to computers, what causes our Jekyll and Hyde personality changes? Simple. It boils down to how much pain we are willing to endure before we snap. I call this "crossing the IT pain threshold." Severe emotional pain occurs each time we experience a "pain event" related to computers and one or more of the following root causes:

Technical Complexity - Computers have not reached the point of being a "plug-in-and-go" appliance.
High Cost of Entry - Even limited participation in the cyber world requires an expenditure beyond what some small businesses can afford.
Cost of Ownership - We have a lot of money tied up in our computers, not to mention software, peripherals, local network, maintenance and support, Internet connectivity, training, security, and supplies.
Depreciation - Because of technology advances, computers and software are practically obsolete before you open the box. (This just barely qualifies as an exaggeration.)
Repairs, Operation, and Maintenance - A lot of expertise and expense is required to effectively maintain computers and a computer network.
Proficiency - It takes desire, aptitude, training, and practice to effectively operate a computer. Without these, the benefits of the computer remain locked away inside.
Compatibility and Standards - If there are standards, why doesn't my printer work with my new computer?
Reliability - We all know firsthand about computer and network downtime.
Multiple Vendors - It would be nice if you could go to one place and buy a total technology solution rather than lots of places to buy many components.
Scalability - It is common to outgrow a particular technology as business grows and expertise increases. Can your computer system grow with you and your organization?

The University of Dayton is partnering with representatives from the local manufacturing community, IT vendors, professional/trade associations, and economic development organizations in Ohio to reduce your IT pain AND help raise your company's level of information technology. This initiative is called the Manufacturers' Business Utility (MBU).

In future articles, I'll address each of these obstacles in more detail and present a corresponding MBU solution. I will also define the unique aspects of the MBU business model, the people supporting it, and the success criteria necessary to help save domestic manufacturing. For now, let me conclude by saying that the MBU is a new business model intended to provide manufacturers with a trusted, vendor-neutral advisor on matters of technology, to help provide real solutions to business problems, and to drive down the cost of IT.

Today, the MBU is operating as a buying cooperative, helping manufacturers lower costs on basic products and services. In just months, the MBU will deliver IT more like a utility, where each company buys IT-based business solutions, not computers and software, in amounts best suited to operate the business in the current economy. Some call this ability to match usage with need, scalability. It reminds me of what mom used to say at the dinner table, "have all you want, but eat all you take."

In the meantime, it's okay to verbally assault your computer. Just don't toss it out the window.

For more information about the MBU, contact:

Paul Piechota
Paul.Piechota@udri.udayton.edu
937-229-5358 (voice)
937-304-5257 (cell)

The Problem with Information Technology – Part III

By Clancy Cross, University of Dayton

March 4, 2004

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom that made all of the world’s widgets. In those days, widgets were needed for almost every aspect of life. The world was perfect because there were just the right number of widget-makers to meet the world’s demand and make a tidy profit for each and every widget maker. The world of widgets was a beautiful place. That is, until someone in a faraway land figured out a new way to make widgets for less money and began capturing much of the widget market. Many of the original widget companies had to close their doors.

One day, a stranger came to town with a proposition for what he claimed was the answer to all of the problems of this once happy and prosperous industry. Because the widget makers were desperate and the stranger seemed wise and understanding of their situation, a large crowd of widget makers gathered around to listen. As the stranger concluded his short sales pitch of this magic solution someone asked,

“What name do you have for it?”

“How did you know,” the stranger replied.

“How did I know what?”

“IT’s name,” the stranger answered.

“Timeout!” yelled another. “This article is too short for an Abbott and Costello routine. Get to the point!”

The stranger acquiesced, “My solution to your problem hasn’t really got a name, so I simply named it IT.” Then the stranger went on to explain that the magic solution was innovative and would be effective, if they paid attention to some “special conditions.”

IT is expensive. Many will not be able to easily afford IT.
IT is a collection of many parts used together in the correct configuration to be effective. You can’t buy just one piece.
IT consists of a wide variety of contraptions that are complex to assemble and operate. A team of high-paid experts will be needed.
It will take time to learn how to effectively use IT.
The pieces don’t always fit together perfectly, so experimentation and reengineering will be required.
The pieces wear out about every three to four years and will need replacement. But, watch out! Improvements are being made so quickly, that the replacements might not work with the old units.
You can’t buy all of the pieces from the same source.
If you decide you don’t need all of the pieces, you can’t get a refund.
There will be other surprises, but you’ll find out about these in due time.

Members of the crowd looked around at each other. Some scratched their heads and walked away. Others decided to take a chance by ordering a few parts. Some of these continued to add pieces every few months. Very few had the resources and the courage to buy the whole set all at once.

It didn’t take long before the air was filled with complaints. Eventually the whining grew so loud and fierce that the constable was forced to conduct an investigation. His findings included several conclusions. True, IT had produced some benefits and the benefits were even quite significant for some. However, the widget makers agreed unanimously that IT was also frustrating, distracting, expensive, and not a magic potion they sought.

Most noteworthy in their complaints was the technical complexity. The companies were faced with a growing need for technical support from people with titles like: network engineer, software developer, database specialist, systems analyst, computer repair technician, data communications engineer, and Web designer. Every one of them spoke a foreign language. When IT is adopted, the office and shop floor are suddenly filled with words like Java, JavaScript, JavaBeans, Visual C++, C-Sharp, Basic, Visual Basic, COBOL, FORTRAN, and Linux. The investigation never uncovered the meaning of most of these words, especially the expletives that were always spelled in the presence of the widget makers. These included words like: HTML, XML, XSLT, ODBC, COM, DCOM, ASP, SMTP, SSL, T-1, T-3, DSL, and SQL.

In then end, because the widget makers had been warned of the “special conditions” and most continued to use IT anyway, the constable was not able to make a case against the stranger. The stranger became exceedingly rich and bought the biggest house in town. It seemed he was here to stay.

The next chapter in this story is being written today – the stranger has been sent packing. The University of Dayton (UD) is working with Ohio manufacturers, economic development partners, and information technology (IT) specialists to create the Manufacturers’ Business Utility (MBU). Unlike the fable, the MBU is a trusted friend and advisor who can help small businesses wade through the jargon and vegetable soup. On top of that, the result is a convenient, scalable, affordable and worry-free technology-based solution to business problems. One more thing. What if the MBU could also deliver technology like electricity? When you need IT, plug in and IT’s there. When you’re finished, turn IT off. Then, every business could control when the meter runs. No more parts to assemble, manage, repair, replace, and upgrade. As you read this, UD and the MBU team are building and testing such a “digital utility.” As they say, “IT’s coming to a theater near you.”

For more information about the MBU, contact:
Paul Piechota
Paul.Piechota@udri.udayton.edu
937-229-5358 (voice)
937-304-5257 (cell)

Reprinted with the permission of the Butler County Fiber Optics honored By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau

Reprinted with the permission of the

Butler County Fiber Optics honored
By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau