Intelligent Systems has identified, created and grown technology focused companies, principally through majority owned subsidiaries to which we devote extensive management time and resources.
Founded more than 20 years ago, the Gwinnett Innovation Park is one of the longest running, privately sponsored incubator programs in the country. Located in the same complex as the Intelligent Systems corporate office, the Gwinnett Innovation Park is sponsored by Intelligent Systems as a community service supporting entrepreneurial activity and as an efficient, low cost way for the company to stay abreast of new technology and market trends. The Gwinnett Innovation Park has been ranked as a Top Ten Technology Incubator and been honored with the "Incubator Client of the Year" award in 1999 and 2010 by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA).Our first executive director, Bonnie Herron, is past chair of the NBIA, a two term member of the board of directors and the first representative from a private incubator to be elected to NBIA’s board of directors.
WHAT WE OFFER
Our nurturing yet non-smothering environment helps companies thrive without quashing the entrepreneurial drive. Gwinnett Innovation Park companies have access to office & manufacturing space, telecommunication and network infrastructure, a community of entrepreneurs, business advice and planning, a network of professional services, "just-in-time advice" and potential sources of financial capital. Depending upon their needs, client companies will choose to use all or some of the available resources.
Our facility helps entrepreneurs succeed because they can:
- have an affordable, "instant office" for 1 to 30 employees and a short-term lease
- focus on business development without infrastructure hassles
- access business advice from experienced, successful entrepreneurs
- capitalize on networking and peer CEO interaction
- enhance their business image with a professional facility and conference rooms
- improve cash flow with affordable lease terms and shared resources
- access potential financial partners
OVERVIEW
For over forty years, Intelligent Systems has identified, created and grown technology focused companies, principally through majority owned subsidiaries to which we devote extensive management time and resources.
In the first quarter of 2015, we sold one of our principal operating companies, ChemFree Corporation, and are now focused on expanding our footprint in the FinTech industry through internal growth and exploring related strategic initiatives in the financial transaction area.
CURRENT FOCUS
Our current FinTech operations include CoreCard Software, Inc. and two wholly owned subsidiaries India and Romania that perform software development and testing as well as systems and operations support for CoreCard.
Our CoreCard business has unique capabilities in both its processing services and licensed software solutions, powered by its proprietary payments platform that has been developed at a cost of $25+ million over more than ten years. CoreCard designs, develops, and markets a comprehensive suite of software solutions to accounts receivable businesses, financial institutions, retailers and processors to manage their credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, private label cards, fleet cards, loyalty programs, and accounts receivable and small loan transactions. CoreCard also provides end-to-end processing services for companies that prefer to outsource this function rather than license CoreCard's software for in-house operations. And CoreCard offers an industry-unique migration path for customers who choose to start with processing services and later opt for a software license solution, with no time consuming and expensive conversion process.
Since 1990, we have operated the Gwinnett Innovation Park, an award winning pioneer in privately sponsored incubators, principally as a community service and an efficient way to stay abreast of new technology and market trends.
OUR HISTORY
Intelligent Systems has a rich history of creating shareholder value by identifying emerging technologies and promising companies, with a focus on nurturing entrepreneurial opportunities. In many cases, as with our recent ChemFree sale, our successful subsidiaries and affiliates have been acquired by strategic buyers.
From our start in the 1970’s and an initial public offering in 1980, our early years were centered on the emerging microcomputer hardware industry – specifically the enhancement products market. Our slogan was “we don’t make computers; we make them better”. Our largest company, Quadram, was an industry-leading pioneer, later sold to National Semiconductor. Other subsidiary transactions included Video 7, acquired by LSI Logic and Intecolor, sold to a private investment group.
In the late 80s and 90s, as personal computers became more powerful, our focus shifted to software products for businesses. Our Peachtree Software company, which dominated the small business accounting software market, was acquired by ADP and is now part of Sage Software. Other software and services ventures included OrCAD (sold to a private equity fund), IQ Software (taken public) and InterQuad Services (sold to a UK entity).
In 2001, we sold PaySys International to First Data Corporation, retaining the emerging technology group that is now CoreCard Software. Since then our QS Technology software company was acquired by Netsmart, our VISaer software business was spun off and, as noted above, ChemFree Corporation was sold in 2015.
The consistent theme throughout our history has been a focus on entrepreneurial companies with promising technologies addressing business-to-business markets that we believe can create shareholder value over time. Looking forward, our current focus on the CoreCard business and opportunities in the FinTech market continues this tradition.