It's no secret.

• Author: Hromadka, Erik
• Position: Excelerations 1998 - Business strategies of Indiana's top 100 companies

Four important business trends revealed in Indiana's Growth 100 companies.

What do this year's Growth 100 honorees have in common? In addition to the fast pace at which they are expanding, this select group of organizations reveals some larger trends that are shaping Indiana's economy.

These recurring themes include a greater use of technology, exploitation of niche markets, expansion beyond local markets, and developing business as suppliers of outsourced products and services. Almost all of the 1998 Growth 100 companies have developed plans to make at least one of these trends work.

USING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Although Indiana has long had its share of technology companies, these businesses are becoming more numerous and claiming a higher profile in the state's economy. From biotech companies to suppliers of computers and software, Indiana's technology companies are developing a skilled workforce and creating a demand for vendors of other high-tech products and services. The result is a maturing high-tech marketplace that fosters additional growth.

Ron Reeve understands the challenge of technology for CyboRobots, his 100-employee company based in Indianapolis. "Technology is our business," he says, explaining how being a robotics solutions provider requires staying on the cutting edge of new developments in science and manufacturing.

CyboRobots, which was founded in 1980 as a joint venture with the French automaker Renault, has grown to become a worldwide supplier of specialty manufacturing robots. Among the company's accomplishments is the world's largest production robot, which stands 30 feet tall, reaches 15 feet wide and travels across a 40-foot area. CyboRobots has built 50 of these robots for heavy, manufacturing companies such as Caterpillar.

Future growth will come from smart robots, such as a system that CyboRobots is developing with the federal government to increase productivity of cutting and welding in shipbuilding. Sensors in the new generation of robots combined with artificial-intelligence programming allow the machines to detect changes in their dangerous environment and respond with "decisions." Doing so allows robots to be cost effective in manufacturing, where each project - such' as ships, bridges and buildings - is different, Reeve says.

Another example of growth through the use of technology is T2 Systems, a Danville business that was founded in 1994. Michael Simmons, Richard Mershon and Steven Howard built the company by providing a computer system that manages parking at universities and small municipalities and handles such duties as the issuance of parking permits and tickets, collection of fines and coordination of special events. By combining hand-held units with a central computer that downloads the information they collect, Simmons uses technology to make the process more efficient.

"We are able to automate many of the mundane day-to-day activities," he says.

However, Simmons notes that technology companies have to do more than just develop a better system. It's crucial to provide training and support for technology customers, Simmons explains, noting that his company sometimes has to train users on computer use in general before they can use his specific application. "The product can be outstanding, but if the customer can't or doesn't use it, it's worthless."

Tony Imburgia of XFMRS Inc. in Camby also...