Floorgraph: When the Right Tool Doesn't Exist, you Just Might Have to Create Your Own

Just ask Steve Scheidecker, owner of computer hardware company Info2go, how the recent launch of Floorgraph has faired. Client, Phillips Floors Inc., had a need for a program that wasn't in existence so Floorgraph was developed out of necessity. It did exactly what was needed, and it did it extremely well.

Floorgraph, an intuitive computer software tool, allows contractors to automatically extract measurements from extremely large prints. This tool, although predominately beneficial for drywall, floor and paint contractors for bidding purposes, has even further-reaching benefits.

"Efficiencies made by Floorgraph allow construction companies to be more accurate and time-efficient, which in turn will lead to more competitive bidding without as much padding," Scheidecker said. "We definitely feel like it's going to have a lot of impact on the end customer and local economy."

Global Interest

It seems that Floorgraph may have an impact on more than the local economy. During the beta phase, Scheidecker posted a Tweet asking if anyone was interested in beta testing. "The largest flooring company in Europe responded almost immediately," he said. "There has been quick global interest in the product. Out of that Tweet came the realization that we hadn't given as much consideration as we should have to factors like metric measurements."

Floorgraph has been an instant hit, and its rapid success is due in part to its partnership with the Business Innovation Zone. "Floorgraph was the first project on which we worked with the BIZ," Scheidecker said. "Mike Colwell was excellent when it came to making sure we knew which funding sources were available. He helped us work with Warren County Economic Development, and it's been an amazing partnership ever since. He also helped us secure the Demonstration Fund through the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Mike guided us through different routes with Floorgraph to get it to market. He helped us go through the application process, get everything submitted the right way, adjust our business plan, get started with a potential marketing plan.he was invaluable. He was such a help to us. We drew on his experience; his own involvement working with start-ups in the past helped us refine how we were going to sell Floorgraph.

"I can't say enough positive things about Mike Colwell and the BIZ organization as well. Mike was fantastic. His knowledge of different options available to companies is unparalleled."

Square One DSM, an initiative of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, is formerly known as the Business Innovation Zone (BIZ).