North Dakota Information Technology News

IT workforce needs featured in Bismarck Tribune:
The Bismarck Tribune recently published an article entitled “Room to grow: IT expansion expected to continue in N.D.” The article focused on the workforce needs revealed by the 2008 North Dakota IT Workforce Needs Assessment completed by ITCND, North Dakota Workforce Development Council, North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education and Valley City State University.

Read the complete article here.
Students awarded scholarships for IT competition:
Three North Dakota students were awarded scholarships for their achievements in IT competitions at the state SkillsUSA competition held April 27. The scholarships were sponsored by ITCND as part of its IT Career Awareness Program.

Scholarship recipients were Jeremy Bateman, Minot Public School in the computer maintenance technology division; Jake Collings, Grand Forks Red River High School in the computer programming division; and Alex Holweger, Grand Forks Central High School in the internetworking division.

“The IT industry has made it a priority to get students interested in IT careers. These students have shown the interest, and scholarships are one way to keep them engaged,” says ITCND President Gary Inman of Echelon Corporation in Fargo. “There currently are and will continue to be high-quality, high-wage IT job opportunities for them in North Dakota.”

Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship to be used at a North Dakota postsecondary institution of their choice. They also received $500 toward travel to the national SkillsUSA competition June 21-27 in Kansas City.

View the complete press release.
Student loan forgiveness now available:
College graduates employed in technology-related occupations in North Dakota may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through a program coordinated by the North Dakota University System (NDUS) and the Bank of North Dakota.

The program provides loan forgiveness of up to $1,000 per year for a maximum of three years. To qualify for loan forgiveness, an applicant must have:
Successfully completed an approved, technology-related program at an approved public, private or tribal college or university,
Maintained at least a cumulative 2.5 grade point average based on a 4.0 grading system,
Obtained a student loan from the Bank of North Dakota or other participating lender and must not be in default on that student loan, and
Been employed in a State Board of Higher Education-approved technology occupation in North Dakota for at least one year following graduation.
Applicants who meet these qualifications will be considered based on the date their applications are received in the NDUS Office, no earlier than May 1, 2009, but no later than June 30, 2009. Award recipients will be notified by July 31, 2009. Applicants must apply or re-apply annually for new or continued funding. For detailed information, visit the NDUS website.

The Technology Occupations Student Loan Forgiveness Program was introduced by Gov. Hoeven and approved by the 2001 Legislative Assembly. ITCND supported the establishment and continuation of this program during past legislative sessions. During the 2009 session, ITCND supported the program’s expansion to include recipients in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as an increase in the amount and duration of availability for recipients from $1,000 for three years to $1,500 for up to four years for a total of $6,000 per recipient. Estimated new slots available in 2009-11 for the STEM loan forgiveness program are 125-175 per year.
IT companies invited to participate in job fair:
Rasmussen College has invited ITCND members to participate in its upcoming National Employment and Education Fair from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Rasmussen College Fargo campus (4012 19th Ave. S.). There is no charge for space at the fair. The event is open to students and the general public. It is expected that 200 students and graduates will attend.

View the registration form. For more information, contact Brian Olson at 701-277-3889.
North Dakota IT Symposium held:
The inaugural North Dakota IT Symposium, hosted by the Fargo CIO Exchange, was held on May 13 in Moorhead. More than 100 IT professionals gathered to explore the role of IT in driving growth in life sciences, manufacturing, finance, global commerce and industries yet undiscovered. Interactive break-out sessions with regional executives and industry leaders focused on the convergence of IT with other business imperatives.

ITCND member sponsors included: Dakota Carrier Network, High Point Networks, Inc. and High Plains Technology. ITCND member presenters included: Mike Gratz, Noridian Mutual Insurance Company; Ron Gronneberg, City of Fargo; Doug Remboldt, National Information Solutions Cooperative; and Greg Thrall, Border States.
Member Bits & Bytes:
Onsharp, Inc. – Fargo, ND

Onsharp provides web consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses that are looking to leverage the web in order to gain a strategic advantage in their marketplace. Its core services include web strategy, web design, web development, web marketing, search engine optimization and web hosting. Onsharp also provides hosted Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) services through its SmartPay product. From its clients to its employees to its community, Onsharp strives to create success in the lives of all people, businesses and communities that it serves.

Future opportunities for Onsharp and the IT industry in the state: Onsharp sees great opportunity for growth in all areas of its business through a continued increase in demand for web-based consulting services as businesses look to leverage the web to increase sales and reduce operating expenses. Its SmartPay hosted service, which allows businesses to invoice their customers and receive payments electronically, has experienced strong demand as businesses look to increase their cash flow and reduce the costs associated with traditional paper invoicing. SmartPay saves Onsharp’s customers both time and money while allowing them to receive payments from their customer quicker than ever before.

Current challenges facing Onsharp and the IT industry in the state: Current challenges facing Onsharp include hiring and retaining top level IT talent from within the state as well as gaining product and service exposure at a national level. Other challenges facing Onsharp, as well as the entire IT industry in North Dakota, include increased operating expenses such as health care costs, competition from overseas technology companies and the current economic condition causing businesses to delay or eliminate major IT expenses and projects.

Learn more about Onsharp here or contact Joe Sandin at 701-356-9010 for more information.

If you are interested in having your business featured in an upcoming “Member Bits & Bytes,” e-mail ITCND. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.





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