9 APRIL 2023 MAGAZINE SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS Q: Describe your business. A: We provide manufacturers, and their suppliers, solutions to move data within their automation systems. We are saving the world from the previously inaccessible data on the factory floor, allowing small (and large) manufacturers to improve their processes and competitive edge. Q: How was the idea for the business born? A: Through abject failure. In the late 1980s our founder, John Rinaldi left Rockwell Automation® to pursue his passion. He was going to bring intelligent toys to his world. Toy manufacturers ended up being a cold group to join. Through the toy trials, side projects from Rockwell kept presenting themselves. Eventually, John’s wife kicked him out of their spare bedroom. He found a local office and started a company that would become Real Time Automation. Q: What sets your company apart? A: Relentless focus on customer service and customer experience. We bring retail and commercial business practices to the manufacturing space. When you call, a live person answers the phone. You can buy our products online, directly. We have everything in stock and ship orders same day. We strive to make buying an RTA product an experience the user will never regret. Q: What are your biggest challenges as a small business? A: People. We are a software company that has a heavy focus on legacy technology. Finding and training talented people that are a good cultural fit is the biggest challenge. It’s also the most rewarding. People build your culture and culture is the only viable competitive advantage a small business can harness for top talent. Driven networking nerds and wired Wisconsin weirdos are always welcome. REAL TIME AUTOMATION, INC.® Creating connectivity solutions for building automation. DREW BARYENBRUCH President, Real Time Automation, Inc.®
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