good for him

[briannell]

Montana man's computer solution wows Microsoft

By JO DEE BLACK
Tribune Staff Writer

When Nina Smith wanted an easier way to allow a number of people to work on a single document, she knew she needed help.

Smith is a certified grant writer and opened her own business in Helena a couple of years ago. Her work involves getting input from people across the state. E-mail was one answer, but Smith wanted something more secure that allowed her to have better tracking through the process.

Smith's husband, Brad, a computer security specialist, used standard Microsoft software to create a portal that allows up to 30 people to work on a single document.

Nina Smith says the innovative idea fits her needs perfectly.

Microsoft is pretty impressed too. The company named Brad Smith's business, Computer Institute of the Rockies, the 2005 Microsoft Small Business Solution Partner of the Year.

This year more than 1,800 entries were submitted from across the global.

"I'm still amazed that Microsoft cares about one little business and one little solution," Brad Smith said. "I'm an old hippie and nothing impresses me, but when I go this award I had tears in my eyes."

Brad Smith used Windows XP, Microsoft Office and Small Business Server to come up with what he dubs "the solution."

It's a portal hosted on a Computer Institute of the Rockies server. Access is gained via account names and passwords.

The portal contains four levels of security and five methods of version control and four backup methods.

Basically, different people can be given different levels of access to the site.

"I used this for a grant for bioterrorism readiness," Nina Smith said. "We needed feedback from tribal and local governments, so their passwords allowed them to access the discussion board in the portal. Other people who had to work on the drafts had passwords that allow them to edit the documents there."

Editing is done by downloading documents to individual computers, then uploading them back to the portal when finished.

"Editing is done in Word and there is a feature that allows you to see who added what," Brad Smith said.

The document on the portal is always the latest version, which prevents the confusion of people working from different drafts. The portal also protects the documents from viruses and other corruption that happen in e-mail.

After gathering input and running grants by all those involved, Nina Smith creates one final document to submit.

"The portal means people all over the state can add research and input from their own computers," Brad Smith said. "It cuts down on travel, it cuts down in conference calls."

Nina Smith said the state of Montana is very interested in "the solution."

"You have easier version control and it doesn't clog up their e-mail," she said.

Brad Smith's Microsoft regional representative urged him to submit his "solution" for the annual award.

"I love this solution, but I'm shocked that Microsoft recognized us," he said.

The "solution" is designed for micro business, those with one to five employees.

Smith is now fine tuning things and plans to market it soon.

"Basically, you rent space on one of our servers at about $50 a month," he said. "This is very affordable."

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Jo Dee Black at (406) 791-6502 or by e-mail at jdblack@greatfal.gannett.com.

Originally published July 26, 2005