Technology

2018 Rising Stars: Ramsey Pruchnic

Entrepreneur ramps up his startup quickly after return from West Side

September 13, 2018

Ramsey Pruchnic, 31, describes himself as both a creative thinker and a serial entrepreneur, having established two new businesses in Spokane-an online marketing company and a donut shop-within less than a year. Pruchnic says that for him, being a

2018 Rising Stars: Jen Snell

VP takes 'organic' path to success

September 13, 2018

Virginia Thomas

In her 12 years of working at Next IT Corp., now a part of customer engagement company Verint Systems Inc., Jen Snell says she's never once been bored. The 38-year-old vice president of product marketing for Verint's intelligent self-service business

Etailz Evolution: Online retailer is growing post acquisition

Company has added 100 people in less than two years

September 13, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Nearly two years after it was acquired by Trans World Entertainment Corp. for $75 million, Spokane-based online retailer etailz Inc. is expanding its offerings, adding employees, and increasing its sales. 'While much has changed over the years, we've

Spokane podcasters make some noise

Audio broadcasts might hold untapped marketing potential, observers say

August 30, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

While podcasts have been around for over a decade, local enthusiasts say the medium is growing in popularity, with everyone from simple hobbyists to business owners looking to start their own broadcast. Andrea Parrish is a digital marketing assistant

After Rover came over to Spokane

Animal tech company aims to maintain momentum at downtown Spokane office

August 30, 2018

Samantha Peone

On a typical work day, between 10 and 15 dogs play, pant, and bark around Rover's downtown Spokane office. 'In our Seattle office, we can have up to 50 dogs because we have more employees over there,â€ says Jennifer Summers, Rover's Seattle-based

Fatbeam acquires school IT division of Ednetics

Acquisition follows $10M in private equity financing

August 16, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Coeur d'Alene-based fiber optic provider Fatbeam LLC has acquired a division of sister company Ednetics Inc. and is planning more acquisitions after securing $10 million in financing from two private equity firms. Greg Green, CEO of Fatbeam, who

Flirting with fiber in Spokane

Group zeroes in on a couple of options for municipal high-speed internet

August 16, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Members of a city-appointed working group charged with exploring options for a fiber optic network in Spokane say they've narrowed their focus to two possibilities: a public-private partnership or a private company. The concept is not without its

Streaming the Beam

OAC Services uses robotic technology to provide clients with remote access

August 2, 2018

Samantha Peone

When Seattle-based OAC Services Inc. first introduced a remotely controlled, moveable robot that enabled the user to visit with people in its Spokane office, employees weren't sure what to do with it. 'At first, it was, well this is kind cool, but

Ciena Corp. to close its Spokane Valley office this fall

Tech company employs 65 people here; number of layoffs yet to be decided

July 19, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Ciena Corp., a Maryland-based global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software, and services, plans to close its Spokane Valley office this fall. Jamie Moody, a Hanover, Md.-based spokeswoman for Ciena, says the decision to close its

Britz Designs: Tools for lakeside living

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July 19, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Liberty Lake-based Britz Designs LLC designs products geared toward making lakeside living easier for homeowners, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. This season marks the company's second summer of operations, and its owners say sales are climbing along