Bascom-Hunter News

Andrew McCandless appointed to the BAton Rouge Airport commission

Baton Rouge, LA – October 15, 2009 – Andrew McCandless was appointed to the Greater Baton Rouge Airport Board of Commissioners. The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council made the appointment at the October 14, 2009 council meeting. Mr. McCandless said after the meeting “I am very honored by the appointment, and I am committed to working to improve commercial air transportation in the Baton Rouge area.”

Mr. McCandless is the president and founder of Bascom-Hunter a business and technology consulting firm in Baton Rouge. He is also the co-founder and former President of Mezzo Technologies.

Bascom Hunter provides a complete suite of business and technology development services. Consulting services include grant writing, sales and marketing, government relations, business systems implementation, and technology development.

BR chamber to tout research grant program

BH Featured in Advocate Article

Sept. 4, 2009

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber will take a research tool passed by the Legislature and use it to promote more small-business interest in federal grants.

BRAC also will recruit new companies to Louisiana, using the state’s expanded research tax credit, which grew from 20 percent to 40 percent in July for firms with fewer than 50 employees.

Targeted companies will be those who can land coveted Small Business Innovation Research grants given by federal agencies. From the U.S. Department of Agriculture to NASA to the Department of Defense, federal agencies award more than $2.2 billion a year in SBIR grants.

The grants are prized not only by the emerging companies who land them, but by the communities and states who have concentrations of SBIR firms, companies that tend to spur innovation, spin off university research, create high-paying jobs and generally lead to greater economic development.

“It’s a game-changer,” said consultant Andy McCandless, referring to Louisiana’s newly more powerful research tax credits. “This program is potentially a better mechanism for recruiting companies into the state because research companies typically don’t want to move.”

BRAC thinks that will change with the latest research tax credits. The changes in state law allow companies with fewer than 50 workers to qualify for a 40 percent tax credit on qualified research and development spending, up from 20 percent last fiscal year.

A grant-writing class sponsored by the Louisiana Technology Park for Small Business Innovation Research awards will be held Sept. 10 at the tech park at 7117 Florida Blvd. Registrations is by e-mail to kemp@bascomhunter.com or by phone at (225) 590-3553.

Bascom Hunter and Louisiana Technology Park have teamed to Offer Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant Writing Class

Baton Rouge, LA – August 24, 2009 – Bascom Hunter and Louisiana Technology Park are offering a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) intensive training on September 10, 2009. The class is focused on providing entrepreneurs and small businesses the tools needed to write successful SBIR grants. The SBIR program awards more than $2.2 billion annually to small businesses with innovative ideas. In addition, the State of Louisiana provides a matching 40% marketable tax credit for Louisiana SBIR award winners. To win program funds, you must effectively communicate your idea to the targeted federal agency. The SBIR Intensive Training program consists of one eight-hour class where attendees will learn the following:

Students are encouraged to bring a laptop computer. Desktop computer will be provided for those that do not have a laptop.

The seminar will take place at the Louisiana Technology Park located at 7117 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 on Thursday, September 10, 2009. The class costs $150.

Louisiana Technology Park™ is a technology-focused business incubator that provides early-stage Internet and high-tech companies with the tools and resources needed to develop sustainable, profitable ventures. Incubator members build their businesses with support from experienced entrepreneurs, professional staff, investor support and a network of strategic partners.

Bascom Hunter and LSU Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Develop Next Generation Wireless Communication Technology

Baton Rouge, LA – July 20, 2009 – Bascom Hunter and LSU have entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop next-generation wireless communication technology. The focus of the research is Cognitive Radio and MAC Layer Enhancements for Wireless Communication Networks.

Wireless communication systems typically use only 10% of radio spectrum assigned to a primary user at a given time. A cognitive radio would be able to identify sub-bands of the radio spectrum that are currently not in use and assign them to secondary users, without interfering with the primary users.

Under the MOU, Bascom Hunter plans to provide LSU $31,000 to match to a $169,000 Industrial Ties Research Grant provided by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The Industrial Ties Research Subprogram (ITRS) is designed to promote new linkages amongst Louisiana universities in areas of research where strong potential exists for more immediate economic returns. Cost sharing on the part of participating Louisiana industries is a requirement for receiving Support Fund money under the ITRS.

Dr. Wei in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Dr. Kannan in the Computer Science Department will lead the research activities at LSU.

“The work being done at LSU is very exciting and I am pleased to be involved in the effort. It is well documented that radio spectrum is very valuable, and innovative approaches to increase availability of such spectrum will lead to tremendous business opportunities,” says Andrew McCandless, President, Bascom Hunter.

“Cognitive radio is a promising technology. The ITRS funding together with the generous support from Mr. McCandless will enable us to pursue cutting-edge research in this area, which will further lead us to more research and business opportunities, and thus promote our national competitiveness in wireless communications”, said Dr. Wei.

Bascom Hunter provides a complete suite of business and technology development services. Consulting services include customer relationship management (CRM), sales and marketing, government relations, and technology development.

Bascom Hunter Announces Hiring of Lucas Banquer to Lead Business Systems Division

Baton Rouge, LA – July 13, 2009 – Bascom Hunter, LLC, announces the hiring of Lucas Banquer as Manager of the Business Systems Consulting Division. In this role, Mr. Banquer will oversee operation of the established Business Systems Division. The division is focused on helping small-to-medium-sized companies manage the implementation of new business system software solutions.

Mr. Banquer has substantial experience in the Business Systems Automation Industry. As the Louisiana Territory Manager for Texas Engineering Systems’ Design Automation Solutions, he received the outstanding business development award for expanding the customer base by 400% in 12 months and retaining 100% of the existing customers. He brings a wealth of knowledge and talent from his experience in the area of Business Systems. Mr. Banquer received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and MBA from LSU.

Bascom Hunter provides a complete suite of business and technology development services. Consulting services include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), business software system development, business consulting, and technology development.

Baton Rouge, LA – June 8, 2009 – Bascom Hunter and Ultix have announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement. This alliance will provide access to each company’s unique expertise. Ultix, who earlier this year won the Louisiana Technology Park’s Business Plan Competition, developed a revolutionary enterprise entity management platform. The software product is capable of building custom, integrated solutions for all industries.

Bascom Hunter provides business consulting services for companies of all sizes, but specializes in working with small technology-based start-up companies. “The partnership Ultix and my company has developed is a perfect fit. Ultix has a great product that my business consultants can offer to our clients; in addition, we have experience in helping start-up companies move to the next level. So there are multiple levels to our relationship that provide a lot of synergy,” says Andrew McCandless, President of Bascom Hunter.

Ultix’s approach to enterprise integration provides organizations with unprecedented flexibility in integrating a business’ complete line-of-business applications. Ultix sees high prospects in a partnership with Bascom Hunter.

"Bascom Hunter has invaluable knowledge in what is needed for a new company to succeed in today’s market. Additionally, Ultix seeks to benefit from the existing relationships Bascom Hunter has established and to complement Bascom Hunter’s existing offerings with an innovative new product unique in the marketplace,” remarks Jeremy Rabalais, Vice President of Ultix.

Bascom Hunter provides a complete suite of business and technology development services for companies with technical products and emerging technologies. Consulting services include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), sales and marketing, government relations, and technology development.

ULTIX is an enterprise software development and consulting firm whose primary mission is to provide robust, efficient and scalable software solutions to a diverse range of clients. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ultix has built a dynamic, service-oriented enterprise, fully capable of responding successfully to trends and changes in the information technology industry.

Baton Rouge, LA – June 5, 2009 – Bascom Hunter, LLC, will host “Transforming your Business with Customer Relationship Management Systems” in Baton Rouge.

The series of seminars is geared toward informing local companies of technologies that can improve their business process through sales force, marketing, and contact management automation. Participants will learn how to utilize Customer Relationship Management systems to streamline their workflow and to provide their workforce with tools that can boost profits and productivity.

“Transforming your Business with CRM” will give an overview of several brands and types of CRM systems, as well as information on the benefits of these systems.

The free seminar will be held on July 8 from 9am-11am at the Louisiana Office Supply Conference Room, 7643 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. To register go to www.bascomhunter.com or email kemp@bascomhunter.com.

This is the first of several free seminars that will be held in the Baton Rouge area.

Baton Rouge, LA – June 1, 2009 – Bascom Hunter, LLC, announces the opening of a Business Systems Division as a new business unit. Setting up or improving a business system is a very challenging endeavor. Bascom Hunter provides unbiased assistance in defining requirements, managing vendors, and selecting and implementing new business system software.

The limitations of an obsolete business system become painfully obvious at the worst possible time — just as the business starts to grow. Selecting the wrong replacement system can be a very costly distraction. If the system is delivered late, as happens with almost 75% of implementation projects, the business can be seriously crippled. For small-to-medium-sized companies, which typically have limited experience with the expansive array of business systems available, selection of the best system can be daunting.

Bascom Hunter utilizes a structured approach to define and prioritize your system requirements, giving you the understanding and confidence that you need to purchase the right systems software. Bascom Hunter ensures that you do not fall into traditional project pitfalls (over-promising salespeople, identifying critical requirements after the purchase, etc.) and helps you establish an overall project plan.

“More and more companies are going to need to implement software based business systems in the future. In addition, the implementation will require high levels of integration and technical expertise. I believe Bascom Hunter is well positioned to provide this service,” claims Bascom Hunter’s President, Andrew McCandless.

Baton Rouge, LA – May 19th, 2009 – Bascom Hunter, LLC, announces the promotion of Dorothy Kemp to Project Manager. In her new role, Ms. Kemp will oversee implementation of all of our Salesforce and Customer Relationship Management software implementations. Dorothy was previously Sr. Business Development Analyst at Bascom Hunter. Ms. Kemp recently graduated from the LSU Flores MBA program and also received her undergraduate degree in Marketing from LSU.

Bascom Hunter provides a complete suite of sales and marketing services for companies with technical products and emerging technologies. Consulting services include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), sales and marketing, government relations, and technology development.

Baton Rouge, LA – May 1, 2009 – Bascom Hunter is teaming with Salesforce.com, an easy-to-use web-hosted CRM solution, to slash the costs and risks traditionally associated with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) initiatives.

Studies show that up to 70% of CRM projects fail. However, Nucleus Research found that more than 80% of companies using web-hosted CRM solutions achieved a positive Return on Investment (ROI). The web-hosted approach avoids the time and expense of purchasing software, hardware and IT services.

To place clients among the successful 80%, Bascom Hunter has developed a CRM Rapid Rollout service that integrates Salesforce.com with a client’s existing business processes. An effective CRM customization balances the ability to both import data history and consistently capture accurate data as a company’s customer facing processes evolve. The services are implemented over a period of one to three weeks.

“Our team developed the Rapid Rollout service over the last 9 months, and the outcome is very appealing for small to mid-size companies. The affordable, quick implementation provides our customers the level of service and success they expect,” said Andrew McCandless, President of Bascom Hunter.

By working closely with each client’s team, Bascom Hunter consultants develop a customized Salesforce solution for the business. Rapid achievement of value and user adoption paves the way for maintaining an effective CRM.

Baton Rouge, LA – January 10, 2009 – Bascom Hunter, LLC, announced today the opening of their new office in downtown Baton Rouge. The new office is at 341 Third Street. “We considered a number of options before selecting the downtown location. Being close to key partners and customers was the main factor in our decision to move downtown,” noted Andrew McCandless, President of Bascom Hunter.

Baton Rouge, LA – December 29, 2008 – Andrew McCandless today announced the launch of Bascom Hunter. Bascom Hunter will provide sales and marketing consulting to companies with technical products and emerging technologies.

Mr. McCandless sees a growing need for emerging technology consulting services in Louisiana. “Things like the R&D tax credit and the sizable growth of VC financing in Louisiana are creating a need for first class technology commercialization services,” said Mr. McCandless.

Bascom Hunter’s key asset is Mr. McCandless’ extensive background in technology development and commercialization. McCandless began his career as a researcher at Louisiana State University (LSU) developing new manufacturing technology for thermal management products. He then founded Mezzo Technologies to focus on commercializing manufacturing technology developed at LSU. As president of Mezzo, Mr. McCandless raised approximately $1,800,000 in venture capital and was responsible for Mezzo’s successful technology commercialization record that included transitioning academic research into SBIR programs, and finally into commercial products. Mr. McCandless also worked at Fairchild Controls as the Director of Business Development prior to starting Bascom Hunter.