Funded by a grant from the university's Building Better Communities program, eight undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a marketing class have created a plan for Paragent LLC. The firm has developed a new accelerated network security management system that protects information assets by coordinating detection, knowledge and responses to threats of misuse and/or abuse.

Paragent is a new start-up company located in offices at the Muncie Innovation Connector on Marsh Street adjacent to Ball State's campus. The firm is one of several new businesses receiving support in the community's business incubator, which is a partnership between Ball State, Cardinal Health Systems and the City of Muncie.

Eric Banter, Paragent's chief operating officer, said the strategic marketing plan developed by the students far surpassed his expectations.

"We are a small firm that has only been around for about 18 months and cannot, at this time, do a project of this magnitude," he said. "We are extremely pleased with what the students have been able to do for us. We asked them to create a strategic plan for the security market, and they have done just that."

Under the direction of Joe Brown, a marketing professor, the students have spent the last several months researching and analyzing competitors, planning and completing focus groups of security software users and completing surveys concerning product usage, needs and satisfaction.

The strategic marketing plan addresses objectives, strategies and necessary tactics to meet recommended proposals, including Web site development, a professional sales plan, a public relations plan and a trade advertising and promotion plan.

"This was an incredibly well-done project," Banter said. "The students were extremely professional and well-prepared throughout the project. It is amazing how much they could accomplish in such a short period of time."

About Building Better Communities

Building Better Communities is an initiative designed to spur economic development and quality of life advancement in Indiana by applying Ball State's strengths in applied research and hands-on learning to projects across the state. With financial support from the Indiana Legislature and Lilly Endowment's Business Fellows Program, Building Better Communities works to match the university's expertise and resources to the varied needs of  Indiana communities.