Business Notebook: Microsoft representatives speak at Catapult Creative on 'digital transformation'

Catapult Creative House in Cape Girardeau hosted a midday seminar Wednesday featuring Microsoft's Chad Lich and Alex Zisser on the importance of a business's adaption to an ever-changing economy and the need for "digital transformation."

Judy Wiles, director of the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, welcomed the attendees by explaining the main focus of the event was to be the launch of computer stations to further grow the computing program through Southeast Missouri State University.

Zisser, account executive for Microsoft, said the relationship between a product and its users is important, especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence.

"Everything we do nowadays is 'How can we leverage AI to help change a business process?'" Zisser said.

Microsoft IoT (internet of things) cloud solution architect Zisser said no matter whom you talk to within a progressing company, they are trying to figure out how to "get digital." They must strive to harness artificial intelligence in order to save money, change a process or whatever else will differentiate that particular business from the rest.

Microsoft's Alex Zisser speaks Wednesday at Catapult Creative House in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

Lich said this is not new territory for Microsoft; they've been implementing the idea for quite some time internally, and the company has seen the positive results.

Zisser added artificial intelligence is "baked into" every one of Microsoft's products, even regarding customer service methods.

"It's a global arms race," Zisser said.

For example, Energizer Corp. was the first company to partner with Microsoft when the "Office 360" concept was brand new, and Zisser and Lich accredited Energizer as being "the brainchild" of that idea; Microsoft just made it work.

Zisser said nearly all companies gather information from their own "IoT sensors" -- used for monitoring environmental changes -- it's just the way the information is applied differs from one company to the next.

Microsoft's Chad Lich speaks Wednesday at Catapult Creative House in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

And now, a new method of problem solving developed by Microsoft, "HoloLens," uses virtual reality to make businesses' machine repair more thorough, and can even predict future repairs.

The recent advancement in technology is causing companies to grow faster, because of the improvement of digital transformation, Zisser said.

Lich explained a company must always be open to change, and also encouraged those in attendance to be constant learners in all they do.

"We had to change our culture as a company so we could be successful," Zisser said.

Lich and Zisser both agreed that in addition to developing a network of contacts, a business must also "put itself out there" even though it's risky.

But, "It's worth it," Lich said.

Group honored for Marquette Tower work

The Old Town Cape Historic Landmark Preservation Group recently was awarded the Preserve Missouri Award, according to a recent news release.

The 39th annual Missouri Alliance for Preservation Statewide ceremony was Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City, during which the preservation group was honored for its work on the Marquette Tower Property.

The Marquette Tower Property was nominated for the award by Old Town Cape Inc. in early February, the release stated. The award nomination, submitted by special-projects coordinator Sarah LaVenture, stated the successful rehabilitation of the Marquette Tower has been vital to the continued livelihood of the downtown Cape Girardeau area. The space has created jobs, supports businesses and is a draw to the area, the release stated.

The Preserve Missouri Award marks the second rehabilitation award the Old Town Cape Historic Landmark Preservation Group has received in 2018 for its efforts on the Marquette Tower project. In February, it was honored with the Old Town Cape Preservation of Heritage Award at the Old Town Cape annual dinner.

University to offer TG management corporate degrees

Southeast Missouri State University recently announced a corporate degree partnership with TG Missouri, offering TG supervisors and managers the opportunity to complete Southeast stackable credentials online under the new Industrial Management Program for TG, according to a university news release.

The program, specially customized for TG management, was launched Friday in a ceremony in which Southeast president Carlos Vargas-Aburto joined Fred Ducharme, senior general manager of TG Missouri, and a number of TG employees at the Perryville, Missouri, facility where automotive parts, including steering wheels, airbags, molding and plastic trim, are manufactured. The program begins this summer.

Perry County Memorial Hospital purchased the Dean Office Building at 519 N. Main St. in Perryville, Missouri.Submitted photo

Perry County Memorial Hospital expands

Perry County Memorial Hospital purchased the Dean Office Building at 519 N. Main St. in Perryville, Missouri, in January, according to a recent news release.

The building is being renovated to serve two particular needs in the near future. Part of the building will serve as physician medical office space for visiting specialists, and the remaining portion of the building will expand PCMH's limited durable-medical equipment program into a full line of medical equipment lease, sales and service, the release stated.

PCMH began a partnership with MedX, a regional medical equipment provider, to serve as its operating arm in expanding its medical equipment line of service.

More details of this evolving service line will follow, including the introduction of PCMH's local service and caregiving team and dates for the retail location's opening, according to the release.

Business licenses

Joseph G. Cotton applied for a license to operate Flip Car Inc., a car sales business, at 3508 Nash Road, Unit B, in Scott City.

Teresa Hastings, Becky Harding and Lori Fowler applied for a license to operate Area Properties Management LLC, a property-management company, at 1304 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Opening date is listed at April 1.

Matthew Burton applied for a license to operate Plants Plus, a retail garden center, at 910 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Opening date is listed as March 2018.

Business reporter Marybeth Niederkorn compiled this article.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630