Synergetics seeing continued growth, success

When Jim Raines' sister taught at West Clay Elementary School in Clay County, her brother was her personal computer support system.

"Only the really big school systems had a technology staff at that time, so I helped the school out," the energetic 36-year-old recalled.

Raines, a Starkville High and Mississippi State graduate in business information systems, seems a little surprised at how well the little company he started in 1992 has done. As his interest in networking and internet development grew, he operated the business from home.

His undergraduate degree is in forestry and he worked in that area while gauging the need for computer support.

"I saw a need. Every school and educational institution needed help implementing technology," he said simply.

From that act of helping out his sister grew a dynamic computer enterprise that grossed $8 million last year. Located here in Starkville, Synergetics Diversified Computer Services now has branch offices in Jackson and Cleveland.

David Palmer, CEO of Synergetics, joined the organization in 1997 as Raines' partner. He holds an undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and a Masters' from MSU.

"I worked with Jim while I was in school," Palmer explained. The two have a comfortable relationship that indicates shared experiences and interests. On this "casual Friday" they're wearing bluejeans - a once a week departure from the usual business suits.

Together they've grown a company with 33 employees. In December 2002, it was named to the Mississippi Business Journal's Top 100 Privately Owned Companies in Mississippi.

They've been on the list for the last four years. In 2002 they were named to the Fast Forty - the Mississippi Business Journal's list of the 40 fastest growing private companies in Mississippi.

The company's motto is "We make technology work for you," and that's exactly what Synergetics does. It's described as "an information systems company offering a full line of technology services ranging from network design, installation, and maintenance, structured cabling, hardware and software sales, service, training; Internet/Intranet development, and web development."

"People invest in technology to save time and money. Synergetics helps them understand how to use the technology to reap the benefits of their investment," explained Palmer.

The company has moved several times; it operated in Raines' home until he got his first contract. As part of the contract, he had office space. That helped him get ready to establish what Raines' calls "a real presence. "

The presence today is definitely real.

They bought the 103,000 square foot building that once housed Motorguide on Highway 12 in Starkville. It's now bustling with activity, housing their headquarters and training facility as well as a variety of businesses and service organizations.

"We were at 90 percent occupancy before Eagle Brand left; now we're around 60 percent," Palmer said.

In addition to housing Synergetics, the property is home to Prairie Opportunity, U-Sav Auto, Shelter Insurance, Oktibbeha County Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Good Earth Pottery.

A multi-tenant space in the building consists of individual offices and shared conference space houses six or seven businesses, also, including First Mississippi Capital, Southern Hospitality Group, Ranger Security, Opti-MS Core, and more.

More than half of the state's school districts do business with Synergetics. The company provides technology as well as high quality professional development; the goal is to produce student achievement gains and improve teacher effectiveness.

But their business isn't limited to educational applications. They work with banks, insurance companies, and numerous large and small companies throughout the state, offering network support and voice over IP, as well as other technology services.

Asked to look into the future, the partners agree that change is a constant.

"I didn't start this with the purpose of growing like it has; it wasn't my goal. My goal and my motivation still is that I feel good about myself when I can help people use technology," Raines said.

"When I can develop something and help people use it in a way that makes their life easier, it's a good thing,” Raines added.

Synergetics is currently headquartered in the State Shopping Center at 327 A Hwy 12 West in Starkville, MS and has satellite offices in Jackson, MS and Cleveland, MS. For more information visit www.SynergeticsDCS.com.