Automation Alley Technology Center Helps Local Companies Grow, Develop New Products

TROY, Mich., June 27 -- The Automation Alley Technology Center is providing Southeast Michigan companies the funding, entrepreneurship assistance, training and networking opportunities needed to support business development throughout the region. Recently, the Technology Center used its resources to assist software provider, 3IS, and hydraulic hybrid power-train developer, Hybra-Drive Systems, LLC in bringing their products closer to market.

"Automation Alley is committed to providing critical funding and consulting to help entrepreneurs and technology start-ups in Southeast Michigan bring their products to market," said Tom Anderson, senior director, Automation Alley Technology Center. "The growth of companies such as 3IS and Hybra-Drive Systems provides an example of the innovation needed to drive our region's economy forward."

Partnerships with 3IS

With funding from the Advanced Automotive Manufacturing Seed Fund, made available by the State of Michigan, the Automation Alley Technology Center provided Novi-based software provider 3IS with seed investment to produce its software product and showcase the technology to potential partners and customers. Additional assistance included entrepreneurship seminars, business plan development and general consulting.

3IS provides a subscription Web service that allows customers to compile market data specific to all levels of the global electronics industry and configure it in a manner that enables them to extrapolate technical, financial and business trends, industry standing against competitors and other important details. The intelligent search engine and database service utilizes data from numerous public and private domain sources to ensure comprehensiveness and accuracy. Additionally, through its equity partnership with Menlo Innovations, a software development company and Automation Alley member based in Ann Arbor, 3IS is able to continually establish customer evaluations, ensuring its product is developed specifically for the customers' wants and needs.

"Automation Alley has been fundamental to the growth of this company," said John Cain, CEO, 3IS, Inc. "Not only did they provide funding, they helped me refine my business plan and strategy, introduced me to the proper financial markets and government agencies, and provided exposure to key industry partners, such as Menlo Innovations."

Partnership with Hybra-Drive Systems

In addition to entrepreneurship counseling and seed fund investments, the Automation Alley Technology Center utilizes its relationship with the U.S. Military to help Southeast Michigan companies obtain funding and secure business contracts. In conjunction with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM), the Technology Center assisted Deerfield, Mich.-based Hybra-Drive Systems (HDS), a hydraulic hybrid power-train developer, secure funding to retrofit existing US Army High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). The Technology Center also helped HDS focus its business plan and identify opportunities for product commercialization.

"The assistance we received from the Automation Alley Technology Center has accelerated our business," said James O'Brien, co-founder and CEO, Hybra- Drive Systems. "By delivering necessary funding and helping us to refine our strategies, the Technology Center has allowed us to focus on the real task at hand -- developing products that maximize tank-to-wheel efficiency."

HDS' hydraulic hybrid power-train is conceptually similar to popular electric hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid. The key difference is that HDS technology continually manages the vehicle's performance, unlike other systems that merely recapture braking energy. Benefits include increased fuel economy, enhanced acceleration, improved brake life and a return on investment in less than two years. Currently, HDS is developing its technology for use on heavy-duty vehicles such as military HMMWVs and commercial delivery trucks.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives.

More than 630 businesses, educational institutions and government entities belong to Automation Alley, covering an eight county area and the City of Detroit. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through the Automation Alley International Business Center, which provides business attraction services and exporting assistance; the Automation Alley Technology Center, which brings together businesses, educators and government to help entrepreneurs accelerate technology commercialization; and the GLIMA Network, a state-wide association for individuals engaged with and involved in technology-oriented industries.

For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/ .