Ann Arbor's ERT Systems adds 1, plans for growth

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

ERT Systems growth has been slow, steady and growing enough to expand its employee base.

The Ann Arbor-based software start-up has added one person over the last year, bringing its staff to six people. It is also in the midst of hiring another person, expects to add one more person this year and hopes to bring on a couple more in 2011.

"We should pretty easily double in size this year," says Dennis Carmichael, president of ERT Systems. "We're also signing some contracts for 2011 that should allow us to maintain that growth rate."

ERT Systems creates a product that allows first responders and military-style commanders to know exactly where their forces are at all times. Its core product, Onsite ERT (Emergency Resource Tracking), uses a GPS-like system to provide a complete view of the operating theater in real time using lightweight tags and a fast IT system that transmits the information on rugged laptops.

The start-up has signed on 30 new customers and a Canadian reseller in 2009. It's in negotiations to land a national reseller this year.

The business was born four years ago when John Ellis, a veteran firefighter, ran into Dennis Carmichael, an IT services company owner.

Source: Dennis Carmichael, president of ERT Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke