Matchmaker: The Circuit's IT Solution Center Connecting Local Buyers and Sellers of IT Products and Services

Business Wire, May 6, 2008

The Circuit Announces Free Participation for Suppliers until November 1; Launches Campaign to Expand Online Exchange Membership

CINCINNATI -- Nearly 100 companies are actively participating in the IT buyer-seller matchmaker services offered through The Circuit's online IT Solution Center. Launched less than a year ago, the center is playing an increasingly more active role in connecting local buyers and sellers of IT products and services. To encourage even more participation in the online exchange, The Circuit today announced that the IT Solution Center is now free for both buyers and sellers. While the center has always been free for buyers, suppliers can now use the center for free for the next six months to enhance their current business development efforts.

The Circuit also announced the appointment of Randy Davis as the center's new director. Davis brings more than 25 years of experience with leading IT companies, most recently at LUCRUM. He has also served in business development roles at Cincom, Convergys and PeopleSoft.

"The Solution Center is proving to be an effective and inexpensive way for local buyers and sellers to find each other," said Davis. "The mentality that companies have to look outside Cincinnati to find the best of breed IT products, services and support for their business is truly outdated. We have built the Solution Center to make it easy for buyers to find local suppliers and innovators, while providing sellers a convenient way to target local companies that are actively searching for IT solutions. I am excited about the opportunity to build the Solution Center, which in turn, will have a positive impact on the local IT community."

The Circuit is in the middle of a marketing drive that will increase memberships and create awareness among the local IT Supplier and Buyer communities. These efforts include activities at IT user groups, chambers, and industry associations.

Davis added, "IT needs are not limited to companies with established IT staffs, so we are aggressive in raising awareness of the Solution Center among organizations that may not be members of The Circuit or are actively involved in the Cincinnati IT scene. Nearly all businesses today have technology needs, and there are numerous and diverse IT-related business services offered locally that can benefit members of the exchange. By actively promoting the center throughout the area to all industries, we can help to attract a more diverse group of members and build a stronger, more effective exchange."

The Circuit IT Solution Center is a one-stop marketplace that has a growing assortment of IT resources, including hardware products, business services and innovative technologies. IT suppliers have access to a widespread buying community and purchasing opportunities from around their region and across the state. Small to mid-market companies, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies can use the center to showcase their products and services to customers, suppliers, and investors. For more information about the IT Solutions Center, visit www.thecircuit.net or email solutioncenter@thecircuit.net

About The Circuit

The Circuit is the information technology association for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. The Circuit is dedicated to raising awareness for the region's growing IT community by providing support and services for local technology professionals, companies and institutions. The association's growing membership consists of a variety of professionals and organizations representing all areas of information technology. The Circuit is also part of Ohio's IT Alliance, a statewide network of six regional organizations with one common goal: growing and improving the competitiveness of Ohio's information technology (IT) industry. IT professionals or organizations interested in supporting Cincinnati's IT community can join The Circuit at www.thecircuit.net.