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Online Tech's data management empire took a big step forward this spring when the Ann Arbor-based company added its first data center outside of Michigan.

The 20-year-old company acquired a data center in Indianapolis, and is in the process of refurbishing two of its data centers in Flint and Westland. Online Tech got its start building out four data centers in Michigan, and has been targeting other Midwestern markets in recent years.

"We wanted to have a commanding presence in Michigan first, which was not easy to do," says Yan Ness, co-CEO of Online Tech.

The new Indianapolis data center is a purpose-built corporate facility that will deliver secure, compliant cloud and colocation services for healthcare, financial services, retail, and other companies in the region. Online Tech plans to make a total investment of $10 million in the facility and the surrounding Indianapolis metro area.

"It's a great business community," Ness says. "We love the people down there. There are a lot of healthcare and financial firms down there. We think what we have to offer is well-suited for them."

Online Tech is also renovating two of its data centers in Michigan, including a former Nextel data center is acquired in Westland. Both are set to come online by the end of the summer or early in the fall.

The expansion comes after Online Tech has gone on a bit of a hiring binge. The company has added 22 people over the last 18 months, expanding its staff to 52 employees. It also has four open positions in sales, marketing, and client services. Ness expects the hiring to continue as the company targets more Midwestern markets.

"We have about a dozen or so markets on our radar," Ness says. "We don't talk about what they are because lots of people are looking at the Midwestern white space."

Source: Yan Ness, co-CEO of Online Tech
Writer: Jon Zemke

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