Dedicated Computing LLC, a Waukesha-based firm that designs and integrates computers for original equipment manufacturers, is the fastest-growing small business among the entrants in this year's Future 50 program.
The company, which is located at N26 W23880 Commerce Circle, has projected revenues of $140 million for 2007.
When asked in a Small Business Times survey about what makes his company "cool," Dedicated Computing president Dan Aicher replied, "Our end markets include medical equipment, military and security, along with others.  We are participating in applications that include the latest cancer treatment, simulating the next generation fighter aircraft and tanks, and enabling inspection of containers entering our ports. Our design and integration services wrapped around the latest technology enables these innovations. Cool? We think so."
The Future 50 is presented annually by the Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE), operated by Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
According to the COSBE, the "Fastest Five" southeastern Wisconsin companies that are growing the most rapidly among the Future 50 are (click on company names for their profiles):
#1  Dedicated Computer LLC, Waukesha.
#2  New Resources Consulting, Milwaukee.
#3  Uihlein Electric Company, Brookfield.
#4  Abri Health Plan, West Allis.
#5  CCI, Milwaukee.

To learn more about what makes the Future 50 companies "cool" in a tight labor market, visit www.biztimes.com/cool. To view a photographic slideshow of a reception that honored Future 50 companies this week, visit the latest edition of SBT Around Town.

Acuity, A Mutual Insurance Company, recently passed the $2 billion asset milestone for the first time in its history, doubling assets under management in the past four years.
"More than anything, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to our agents and employees," said Ben Salzmann, president and chief executive officer of the Sheboygan-based company. "The only way we could have achieved this goal was through the dedicated efforts of all our employees and the commitment of our independent agents to building strong partnerships with Acuity."
At year-end 2006, Acuity had set company records for written premium, policy count, net income, and policyholders' surplus, and those trends continued into 2007.  
"People naturally seek security - that's the reason insurance exists. Our $2 billion in assets assures policyholders and agents that Acuity continues to be based on a solid capital foundation," said Wally Waldhart, vice president of sales and communications for the company. "Additionally, our growth in assets demonstrates that we are trusted by an ever-increasing number of individuals, families, and businesses for their insurance protection."

RedPrairie Corp. announced today it has integrated Build-To-Order manufacturing capabilities designed for highly complex sequencing into its E2e supply chain execution suite.
Functionality such as Build-to-Order, Just-in-Time (JIT) in line sequencing, error proofing and traceability originally developed for the automotive industry is now available for manufacturers and suppliers of other complex products, including electronics, computers, glass, windows and doors.
The new products are designed to reduce costs and improve material and information flows for manufacturers.
RedPrairie, which is based in the Town of Brookfield, said the solution tracks component levels, revision levels, expiration dates, and code dates which are critical for recall traceability, warranty processing, returns disposition and repair forecasting. The capabilities are fully integrated.
Tom Kozenski, RedPrairie vice president product strategy, said, "RedPrairie is continuing to add value to customers' operations by enabling them to reduce costs and improve service levels. No other supply chain software supplier has such a sophisticated solution …  Manufacturers and their suppliers both need this type of application to properly sequence inventory to production lines."

Milwaukee Futon-Yoga East will celebrate its grand opening in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward on Saturday, Sept. 29..
The store at 316 N. Milwaukee St. will celebrate from 7 to 10 p.m.
Located adjacent to Coquette Café, the company specializes in combining comfort and versatility in alternative bedroom furnishings, platform beds and futons. The store also offers a selection of products designed to assist practitioners of yoga and meditation.
Principal store items include: futons, platform beds, Asian lighting, Shoji screens, bamboo fountains, yoga and meditation products and other unique accessories.
Milwaukee Futon-Yoga East is a division of Livn Lite Products LLC, which is owned by David Pionke.
Pionke said the store's philosophy of "Livn Lite" is reflected in the products sold.
"We're here to fill the niche for those people seeking a less encumbered life, yet who still want quality furnishings at affordable prices," Pionke said. "Platform beds represent a product that is easily transportable and affordable, yet not compromising in style or durability. Futons offer dual function as a couch or lounger by day and bed by night.  With both products, ease in use and inherent simplicity is appealing to those individuals who are on the move; wanting to keep things basic and affordable, while not compromising in comfort."

Mayor Tom Barrett took another step in establishing the City of Milwaukee as the lead agency for workforce development in the region with the formation of a new Milwaukee Area Workforce Development Board.
Since assuming responsibility in July for administration of the board, Barrett, along with Milwaukee Area Workforce Development Board president and chief executive officer Donald Sykes have focused on new initiatives to increase coordination between businesses and job-seekers.
"There are no greater issues facing our community than public safety and employment, ones that are explicitly interconnected in the City of Milwaukee," Barrett said. "The need for major revisions in how we serve both the business community and job-seekers has been evident for some time. I believe I have put in place a team to do just that, and I look forward to reporting on its progress in the coming months."
Dan Bader, president and chief executive officer of the Helen Bader Foundation, has agreed to provide leadership and consultation to the board. Additional members include:
William Andrekopoulos, Milwaukee Public Schools
Sheila Cochran, AFL-CIO
Lupe Martinez, UMOS
Dr. Darnell Cole, MATC
Milwaukee County Supervisor Willie Johnson Jr.
Howard Snyder, Northwest Side Community Development Corp.
Wallace White, Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewage District
Thelma Sias, WE Energies
Milwaukee Alderman Willie Wade
Carol Sample, Spotted Eagle High School
Robert Cocroft, Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd.
Mike Fabishak, Assoc. of General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee
John Jorgensen, Painters & Allied Trades Local 781
Sheila Knox, Milwaukee Job Service District
Shirley Lanier, EnviroTech Services, LLC
Don Layden Jr., Metavante Corporation
John Miller, Goodwill Industries of SE Wisconsin
Jeannetta Robinson, Career Youth Development
Tom Romoser, Jr., Harley-Davidson Inc.
Linda Sowell, Gilbane Building Company
Julia Taylor, Greater Milwaukee Committee
Devon Turner, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Steven Xiong, Catholic Charities
Gwen Keller, Astronautics Corp. of America
David Aragon, SITE Personnel
"The success of our efforts will require flexibility and change at every level, not to mention resources. The changes I am seeking reflect my goal to transform workforce development efforts in the City into an integrated system that will better serve employers and residents," Barrett said.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has signed legislation authored by County Board Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic to transform the way Milwaukee County operates, modernize the way services are provided and preserve resources.
The Green Print incorporates a conservation ethic and plan for Milwaukee County to become more environmentally responsible. The plan includes lower energy consumption, the utilization of more renewable energy sources, turning unused parkland back into native grasslands, managing storm water runoff, requiring higher energy efficiency standards in new projects, and the creation of a new cabinet-level position to oversee the Green Print.
"I'm glad the County Executive agrees that the Green Print makes a bold statement that the status quo is no longer acceptable in Milwaukee County. His support symbolizes that his administration is on board and will implement this plan to move Milwaukee County in the right direction," Dimitrijevic said. "I thank my colleagues on the County Board for unanimously passing this important environment legislation. I'm also proud to say this action reflects the support the Green Print has received from so many grassroots organizations."
A coalition of citizen groups representing approximately 10,000 residents supported Dimitrijevic's Green Print efforts.

Adult volunteers are needed to provide one-on-one tutoring for adult literacy students at the Milwaukee Public Library. The volunteers will provide tutoring for Milwaukee residents ages 18 and older who want to upgrade their basic math and reading skills.
Adults working toward completing their GED or studying English as a second language are also invited to receive tutoring.
For more information about how to volunteer for tutoring sessions of one hour per week, contact Dawn Lauber at (414) 286-3009.

The Assembly Republican budget proposal is either a fine compromise or an absolute sham, depending upon your point of view. The plan is debated in dueling Milwaukee Biz Blogs today by Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) and Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Businesses are fretting over the Healthy Wisconsin reform plan, but they're not offering any viable alternatives. They need to step up to the plate, according to Small Business Times executive editor Steve Jagler in a weekly bonus blog at OnMilwaukee.com, a media partner of SBT.

Consultant and author Jeffrey Gitomer answers readers' e-mails in this week's Sales Moves column. SBT is the exclusive Milwaukee home of Gitomer's columns.