By Ayana Jones
Tribune Staff Writer

Lawrence A. James and Christopher Holland are the type of men who thrive on solving technical problems.

As the owners of Philadelphia-based Connexus Technology, James and Holland develop software solutions for companies’ information management needs. Since its inception in 2000, businesses have been tapping Connexus Technology for services including information management, Web content management, software application design, extranet development and enterprise information portal management.

In today’s tech-savvy society, there are a variety of firms that companies can choose from when it comes to meeting their technical needs. However, Connexus is striving to stand out within the industry.

“In our methodology there are a few things that we shoot for. One is make sure that we design our software design system in a way that the users actually need to use the system,” says James, who serves as the company’s president and CEO.

 “Another thing in our methodology that we strive for is to design solutions that will not only be good for today but will be equally expandable to the future based on brainstorming their future needs and expectations.”

“Our methodology is key for us because it’s how we actually arrive at the solution before we build it, prototype it and start spending the client’s money.”

Over time, James and Holland have been built up their client base to one that includes organizations such as Agrofesh, Morton Salt, the United Way, Brooklyn Brewery, Philadelphia Parking Authority and Rohm & Haas.

“Our most challenging and rewarding business relationship has been the one with Rohm & Haas because they’ve constantly brought us business problems with a few of the sites that they have asked us to manage and create tools for, and we’ve always stepped up to the plate and were able to knock them down,” James said.

Prior to founding Connexus, both James and Holland gained some experience in the traditional corporate setting. The business partners are both Drexel University graduates. James has a bachelor’s degree in information technology and Holland holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

James, 25, of Brooklyn. N.Y., has over seven years of hands-on software application, Web development and business development experience. He has worked with organizations such as Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Unisys and the FBI. Before launching Connexus, James founded OnStreets.com, an online business portal where businesses could log on and create Web pages.

As the chief operating officer/project manager, Holland brings over six years of programming, project management and team leading experience to the partnership. Holland, 26, of North Philadelphia, has worked with companies such as Rohm & Haas, iConnect and Slingshot Solutions. Holland is responsible for executing Connexus’ day-to-day operations and he serves as the lead account director for key clients.

Both Holland and James have served on the board of advisors of the United Way’s Teaming for Technology initiative and the North Philadelphia Brain Trust.

James and Holland are currently handling their client base with the help of six contractors. And while they may not be one of the big league technology firms that does not stop them from pursing clients of all sizes including Fortune 500 companies.

The partners have set serious goals for the future of Connexus. James says that they would like to design software solutions for the federal government. At this point, the company is working to obtain contracts at the city and state levels.

Choosing entrepreneurship over continuing a career in the corporate environment was a no-brainer for James. After graduating from Drexel, the business partners began to focus on building a business instead of remaining with the typical corporate environment.

“We we’re going to just settle for going and getting a simple software solutions job,” James said.

Connexus is based on the campus of Drexel University in the Laurence A. Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship in Technology.