If you want to get your name out on the Web, you have to use all the right BITS and pieces-and Miami University's new student-run company, Benton Information Technology Solutions (BITS), can help accomplish just that.
According to BITS President Lauren Ward and Vice President Susan Critzer, BITS is an IT consulting business that focuses on dynamic Web design, with one client, Miami sorority Chi Omega, already under its belt.
"We think we have a great service for the Greek community," Ward said, adding that BITS is trying to work with Associated Student Government (ASG) and plans on marketing to uptown establishments and churches in Oxford.
Douglas Troy, computer science and systems analysis department chair and adviser for BITS, said he receives requests every semester from student groups seeking help creating their Web sites.
Troy said BITS was created to meet this need, however their primary goal reaches beyond that.
"(It) is to provide an opportunity for students to develop leadership and entrepreneurship," Troy said.
During the spring semester of 2007, Troy organized a board of directors for BITS composed of department faculty, alumni and Miami Information Technology (IT) Services members. This board then conducted interviews for the company's executive positions.
With the board's help, BITS opened last semester and now has an office in Benton 205-O. Currently the company employs 15-20 students in executive, technical and beginner positions where staff members can be taught the basics of Web programming. While most of the employees are computer science or systems analysis majors, Ward said that the company is open to all majors and already involves marketing and graphic design students who advertise for BITS and develop logos and page layouts, respectively.
Ward has big ideas for BITS as it continues to develop.
"The whole department is excited about this company," Ward said. "(There are) lots of opportunities for growth. We need to establish a solid foundation."
Ward hopes that after she graduates BITS will still be a small organization that teaches technology and business to undergraduates.
"(I envision BITS as) source of expertise for campus groups," said Troy, hoping that students will regularly use the Web design services offered and that BITS will be used a recruiting tool, attractive to students looking at Miami.
Students wanting to work for BITS can be trained to use the technology, and the type of work done will vary depending on what the client desires and what the company decides is feasible, according to Ward.
BITS is open to any ideas from clients, including creating interactive Web sites and software, Ward and Critzer said.
The prices will range for different services. Ward explained that for a basic html with no functionality, a client would be charged around $750. If the customer chooses to have all of the services that BITS can provide, including interactive Web pages with blogs, e-mail and several links, the price would be closer to $2,000.
Michelle Torbeck, sophomore and member of Chi Omega, heard about BITS when her sorority hired the company to create its Web site.
"We never had (a Web site) before," Torbeck said. "It's cute. I like all the pictures. It's not boring and it's easy to navigate. It's a good way to get the word out and it was good during recruitment because we could tell the girls to look at our Web site."
First-year Hayden Ansinelli also thought BITS was a good resource for Miami students.
"It's useful because every successful organization needs a solid Web site," Ansinelli said. "I'm glad that students from Miami can begin such an interesting business at such an early age."
