Growth isn't just a mantra for Ann Arbor-based Online Tech, it's practically the data-storage company's middle name.

It has added a handful of positions to its staff of 16 employees, two independent contractors and cadre of summer interns since early last year. It can do that thanks to 30-40 percent growth in each of the firm's last five years. And it hopes to add another 4-6 people this year.

Oddly enough, as Online Tech grows bigger it's making its name smaller. The firm used to be known as Online Technologies Corp, but often went by OTC. Well, OTC has several different meanings to even more people and the original name was more than a mouthful.

"We decided Online Tech worked better," says Mike Klein, president of Online Tech. "It fit in with our website and it was easy to say."

Online Tech specializes in storing digital information since its founder, Yan Ness, started it in 1994. The firm's data centers in Ann Arbor and Flint allow individuals and businesses to back-up their computer files on secure servers.

Online Tech has grown more than six-fold since it started and is looking to expand. Klein says his company is planning to make an acquisition of at least 10,000 square feet for a new data center relatively soon.

He sees opportunity in the current economy and credit crisis for Online Tech as more companies hold off on expanding their own data centers. Klein thinks those companies will choose to outsource to firms like his as they try to conserve cash.

Source: Mike Klein, president of Online Technologies
Writer: Jon Zemke