Some of the nation's top IT companies host the nucleus of their network operations within central Arkansas.
Overview and Outlook
The Metro Little Rock region hosts an impressive list of information technology companies including Acxiom Corporation and AT&T. The industry cluster’s software strengths are centered on customer relationship management (CRM), data mining, telecommunications and financial services technologies.
A focus on education and training continues to be a key to the success of this industry cluster. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock's College of Engineering and Information Technology plays a pivotal role in developing talent for the industry.
Collaboration between this expanding knowledge-based industry and economic development is a high priority. There is a clear regional focus on and success in encouraging innovative entrepreneurial activities of start-up high-tech businesses clusters.
Site Selection Considerations
Structural assets: Affordable office space is readily available throughout the Metro Little Rock region. Operating costs are recognized as low compared to competing geographic areas.
The presence of established companies in this industry cluster helps to ensure an infrastructure of ample and affordable telecommunications and energy resources.
The region’s quality of life is especially important in attracting and retaining experienced technical workers, especially during periods of expansion.
Workforce: The Metro Little Rock region has a significant number of highly skilled workers in this industry cluster, which includes computer scientists, engineers and technicians. The region continues to attract a highly educated and technically qualified workforce.
Research and Development: An important advantage of the region is a well developed R&D business culture that encourages workers to be innovative and participate in process-improvement.
Incentives: The region has a long history of providing tax incentives and credits to encourage business development and expansion.
Valuable Regional Resources
The Metro Little Rock region is acknowledged as capable of hosting large software and telecommunications companies and clusters of support firms. These include: Acxiom Corporation, Fidelity Financial Systems, Euronet and AT&T.
Education and Training: Metro Little Rock region has universities, community colleges and other training centers that offer dynamic information technology and management information systems programs to support the industry cluster. Continuing education of workers is a primary focus of these organizations.
A joint industry-university effort to establish and develop the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Cyber College was a major step in providing qualified information technology workers with practical training.
The Metro Little Rock region has strong Information Technology niches, including:
Existing Companies
Acxiom Corporation – www.acxiom.com/
Fidelity Financial Systems – www.fidelity.com/
Mainstream Technologies - www.mainstream-tech.com
Euronet –www.euronetworldwide.com/
AT&T – www.att.com
UALR College of Engineering and Information Technology - http://technologize.ualr.edu