Viper Logic takes care of business for Web sites

Public Record, The, Mar 22, 2005 by Davis, Rick

In today's computer-driven marketplace, the business of designing and developing Web sites looms as an emerging giant fed by an endless stream of customers.

As a result, new sites continue to sprout ad infinitum, like dandelions in the Midwest after a hard rain. And while it's great to have beaucoup resources at your fingertips, it can make for a lot of tedious navigation among sites.

One company is working to change that, however - at least for tourists planning a junket to Palm Springs. For them, a simplified experience awaits because of a new Web site called Palm SpringsCity.com.

"A trip builder is what it is," said Lance Conway, co-owner of Viper Logic, a 12-year-old advanced technology engineering firm that specializes in design and development of Internet solutions, as well as software services. "For Palm Springs, it's an all-inclusive Web site that has every option somebody coming here would need to know. As far as I can determine, it's the only Web site that does that."

The 41-year-old Conway ay said he's passionate about the endeavor because of what it can deliver.

"In three years, we've sunk a lot of money into this, but the objective is it will become a moneymaker at some point," said Conway.

He said research indicated there are 877 options for a tourist coming to the city of Palm Springs. It includes choices in many categories that include hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATM sites, car repair locations, liquor stores, pharmacies and golf courses. PaImSpringsCity.com will include all 877 on one Web site. Conway said the site should be completely built and ready to be launched in May.

It will produce revenue through marketing and sales of advertising space in the different categories. For example, a limited number of hotels could enhance their marketing by purchasing ad space, which would provide greater visibility than competitors tucked away in the directory section.

The site will include listings only for Palm Springs, although expansion is to result in additional Web sites for other valley cities.

Viper Logic relocated from Orange County to Palm Springs six years ago. Conway said the company, which was started with $300,000, has grown considerably in clients and revenue. Local clients include the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism and the McCallum Theatre.

Conway said he and Lara were selftaught when they launched Viper Logic. But now the entire staff is made up of software engineers. And while the Web site aspect of the business is considered significant, software development work for motherboard, peripheral and medicaldevice manufacturers has given Viper Logic considerable profile and credibility, according to Conway.

This year also has marked the debut of ViperGate - a Web site hosting product that is designed, built and maintained inhouse with full support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Features of it include antivirus, spam detection, e-mail and secure-transaction processing. ViperGate attracted more than 100 clients in the first two months.

"It's for business clients who require maximum performance and reliability from their host provider," said Conway.

A "Made in America" theme is part of the company's mantra in serving a diverse customer base from software firms to hardware manufacturers to computer OEMs.

"We have passion for our work," said Conway. "When we started the business, we put together my money and Patrick's talents. One thing we've adhered to is all our programming is customized to meet the needs of the individual client. That is something they really like."