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CIM Vision International

Business: Software Development

Location: Long Beach

Revenue Growth: 242%

To succeed in the software industry these days, a company must find a niche and be able to distance itself from the competition. CIM Vision International Corp. appears to have done both.

It has created a program that enhances what is called “Enterprise Resource Planning” essentially software that manufacturers use to better organize factory and warehouse floors.

And manufacturers are pleased with the efficiency gains they’re realizing, if CIM Vision’s financial results are any indication. Revenues have grown from $2.4 million in 1995 to $8.2 million in 1997, a 242 percent jump.

Jeff Kurschner, co-founder and vice president, attributes the growth to the software’s wide variety of functions something that the competition has not been able to replicate.

“Most competitors only focus on one area,” he said. “In theory, (customers) would have to buy four or five products compared to our one. We have streamlined the process.”

Another plus is that the product, called CIM+, has been certified by Oracle Corp. and SAP to be compatible with the programs sold by those industry giants. Such certification is essential for CIM Vision because it validates the company’s credibility, said Kurshner.

Bill Manassero, executive director of the Software Council of Southern California, said CIM Vision has capitalized on a very specific niche with vast growth potential.

“The manufacturing segment continues to grow and as long as it grows, so will the company,” he said. “They are tied in and have all the right partnerships. It is an extremely exciting local company.”

CIM Vision was started in 1992, at which time Teledyne was being reorganized to become Allegheny Teledyne Inc.

Kurschner and Chris Will, both former Teledyne employees, and a third partner, Sundar Ramayya, launched the company after buying the rights to a Teledyne software program, called CIM 2. Kurshner and Will remain with the company as vice presidents, Ramayya has since left the company, and Carl Hunt recently joined CIM Vision as president and chairman.

Jessica Toledano