Information Technology

Information Technology

Information technologies and the knowledge and skills associated with them are so widely diffused in the economy that one must look for more defined areas of specialization to identify potential clusters of competitive advantage. Maine has developed a specialization in geospatial technologies, which is an emerging cluster. In addition, there is evidence that technology development in new media, bioinformatics and the application of IT to measure and control technologies are all potential clusters. Future growth in IT in Maine is likely to depend on identifying and effectively filling a variety of niche application development for specialized users. The markets for individual niches may be small, but the overall potential is large.

A solid base of research and education in computer and related technologies exists in Maine, but it does not emerge as a research strength in the analysis of research outputs. The workforce is the key to development of this sector because of the relatively low technological barriers to entry. It does not appear that Maine’s higher education institutions are producing graduates near industry demand, and that industry growth is heavily dependent on recruiting a workforce from out of state.

The following technology products and services fit within Maine's IT cluster.

Microelectronics:

Generally speaking, Maine’s semiconductor sector has traditionally produced low power, high performance products in the power, interface, analog, mixed signal, logic, optoelectronic, and configurable products markets. Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor both are headquartered in South Portland, where they design and manufacture analog and digital semiconductor wafers. Smaller firms, such as Tundra Semiconductor, has a design center in Maine. Small firms, such as Enercon Technologies perform niche printed circuit board design and electronic and electromechanical products manufacturing. Other companies, such as IntriCon Tibbetts are reinventing themselves as R&D companies.

Telecommunications Equipment:

Broadcast Equipment: Maine has a niche in the microwave/broadcast equipment arena, particularly in antenna manufacturing. This expertise has its roots in the U.S. defense industry. In the late 1950s, the U.S. Government set up a large radar antenna system in Maine to watch over the horizon for planes coming from Russia. In the 1960s, the U.S. Government also created, outside of Bethel, the first receiving area in the United States for satellite transmissions. The construction in 1961 of "Telstar" communications satellite in Andover, Maine, marks the beginning of the global communications revolution. Many technologies developed by and for these facilities subsequently were commercialized, and workers spun off to form their own firms. Now, firms including Dielectric, Shively Labs, Mega, and RF Technology produce both equipment and software.

Telecommunications Services:

Call Centers: Call centers are located across the state tapping into access of an attractive workforce. Firms with call center facilities in Maine include leading consumer products, financial services, and health care firms such as L.L. Bean, T-Mobile Communications, Microdyne, and Taction. With more than 110,000 miles of fiber optic cable and 100 percent digital phone switching technology in place, Maine leads the country with its telecommunications infrastructure.

IT Services:

Maine firms provide custom computer programming services, database development, Internet Service Provision, network and telecom design/installation/consulting, web page design, systems integration, enterprise-wide applications and computer systems consulting. The major IT Services organizations include: Systems Engineering, Workgroup Technology Partners, xwave, Plixer International, and Know Technology. Some organizations bridge IT with new software/platform products. Pet Health Network is an example of a startup in the Health Information Technology arena. The IT sector is responsible for much of the productivity gains within Maine companies. The application of new technologies and services is critical for the growth of all emerging technology sectors. The IT infrastructure is as critical today to Maine businesses as the road, rail and utility network. Considerable R&D efforts are conducted as systems and services must continually be upgraded and expanded to create new economic opportunities and leverage new business models. Maine is also home to internationally recognized Cybersecurity organizations such as Sage Data Security and NMI InfoSecurity Solutions.

Software:

Maine has hundreds of small software vendors developing applications related to particular vertical markets described below. Some of these niches, such as GIS, CAD, and virtual reality, relate to the ocean’s key role in the Maine economy.

Satellite Applications: Software firms develop applications for the local satellite antenna industry (noted above).

Finance & Insurance: Portland is the birthplace of Unum, the largest supplier of long-term disability insurance in the United States. Unum’s internal software programmers have spun off many small software firms with expertise in this vertical market. Maine is an attractive state for financial institutions and has seen technology start-ups surface to support this important sector. Maine companies that bridge software development and the financial sector include BlueTarp Financial, Quantrix and Wright Express. These three successful businesses were founded and continue to grow in Maine.

CAD: Maine’s shipbuilding industry has spurred a small, related CAD niche. The local firm Aerohydro’s software helped design the hulls of a handful of boats that have won the America’s Cup sailing race. Aerohydro and TransformIT are excellent examples of international success stories.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Maine has dozens of software firms with GIS expertise, and is recognized as a GIS hub. The cluster is supported by the University of Maine’ Spatial Engineering program, one of three universities in the United States to offer advanced degrees in this field. Boeing has a facility in Maine to tap into this specialization. DeLorme Mapping, a major GIS firm, is headquartered in Maine as are the James W. Sewall Company and Blue Marble Geographics.

Environmental Technology: Maine’s protection of the environment is well known and entrepreneurial companies are creating the technologies to monitor and offer stewardship of our ecological network.

Aqua Industry: Firms produce software to monitor the Gulf of Maine marine operations including wind, wave, visibility, air temperature, water temperatures at various depths, salinity and more. GoMOOS is now working with the USM Computer Science department in research and experimentation (R&E) efforts.

Multimedia/3D Animation/Entertainment: A cluster of 3-D and multimedia software developers are spread across Maine. Some of these firms supply the small local photography and film sector anchored by the original Kodak photography educational institution in the town of Camden. Penbay Media, Infusion Studios, Image Works, FlyFi and a growing number of game developers are very active in this growing area.

Virtual Reality: Maine has a small cluster of virtual reality software firms. Some are suppliers to Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics that builds the Aegis Destroyer battleship in Maine. TSI’s president, Chuck Benton, continues development of Augmented Reality technologies.

Bioinformatics: Jackson Laboratory, the largest producer of laboratory mice in the world and a research leader in the human genome, is located in Bar Harbor. Many in-house computer programmers develop its specialized bioinformatics database, and these technologies are shared with the international science community. IDEXX Laboratories combines biotechnology with medical devices and information technology and is creating more than five hundred new jobs in Westbrook while helping that community reinvent itself as a magnet for technology organizations.

New Technologies/Services:

Maine is an entrepreneurial state and is positioning itself to remain active in the development of new technology sectors.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): A handful of companies are developing devices that could have a significant impact and benefit to other economic sectors. Chipco and Parcomerged Media have moved beyond the startup phase.

Robotics: Current work crosses many areas from robotic surgical systems to precision welding of steel beams. Technology Systems, Inc. (TSI), in partnership with Applied Thermal Sciences (ATS), have worked to commercialize high speed laser fabrication technology.