“When I reached out to NorthBuilt they were happy to offer support work, and they didn’t require big committed projects in order to have us as a customer.”
— Chad Clevenger, Operations Leader, Innovative Staff Solutions
How Innovative Staff Solutions Found Long-Term Stability with NorthBuilt's Reliable Software Support
About Innovative Staff Solutions
Innovative Staff Solutions (ISS) has been connecting top talent with leading employers for more than 30 years. They now operate at over 22 locations throughout Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Executive Summary
Innovative Staff Solutions (ISS) is a regional staffing company with operations that rely on a custom-built technology stack. Their internal platform, developed over more than a decade, powers:
- An applicant tracking system (ATS) for candidate management
- An interview scheduling system that handles high-volume workflows
- A proprietary text messaging platform that sends over 1 million messages annually
This homegrown software is deeply woven into every aspect of ISS’s business. But after years of working with both internal developers and a third-party firm, ISS was entering a new chapter. They didn’t need another full-scale rebuild. They needed someone to take the wheel and keep the system running smoothly.
The Challenge: Caught between expensive in-house risk and agency indifference
As CIO, Chad Clevenger encountered a problem that many IT leaders at growing companies face. After spending three to four years building custom software for Innovative Staff Solutions—a staffing company that relies heavily on technology—the company’s needs were shifting from big development projects to steady maintenance and support.
“We needed ongoing software maintenance to keep everything running smoothly,” Chad explained. “And a lot of software agencies only want big projects.”
The company’s software ecosystem was sophisticated but critical to their operations: It included a custom applicant tracking system facing customers, appointment scheduling software, and a texting application sending over a million messages annually. After working with a large agency that had built much of their current system, Chad found himself in a familiar bind.
“The agency wanted us to commit to 40+ hours a week and take on more large IT projects, whereas we wanted to shift our focus and maintain for a while,” he explains. “We ended up parting ways.”
Previously, ISS had relied on internal developers for ongoing support and maintenance, but Chad was worried that an internal hire could leave and take all of their institutional knowledge with them, jeopardizing their entire setup. ISS needed a reliable external partner to maintain continuity.
Why NorthBuilt Was Different: Small size, big commitment
When Chad started his search for a software agency partner in early 2024, he had very specific criteria shaped by past experiences. He wanted a team that felt small and personal, with “real pictures of people on their website”—not the polished, impersonal feel of larger agencies.
“I really wanted it to be real people. I wanted to feel like it wasn’t this big revolving door where they bring in a bunch of newbies out of college,” he said.
More importantly, he needed a partner who wouldn’t demand massive commitments. Previous vendors had required 40-hour-per-week minimums, but NorthBuilt took a different approach:
“When I reached out to NorthBuilt they were happy to offer support work, and they didn’t require big committed projects in order to have us as a customer.”
The Technical Challenge: Working with unique technology
ISS’s tech setup includes some uncommon technology—specifically Elm, a functional programming language that many developers avoid. While this had been a barrier with other potential partners, NorthBuilt’s team didn’t shy away.
“They were not scared of Elm,” Chad noted. Their willingness to tackle unfamiliar technology set them apart. “[NorthBuilt co-founder] Aaron is very sharp. The fact that one of their owners is working on our account gives me a lot of security. I want him to know and understand our setup.”
What Makes NorthBuilt Different: The partner perspective
Unlike agencies focused on the next big project, Chad values NorthBuilt’s commitment to ongoing relationships. “We’re going to need a partner for the next 10 years,” he says. “As they get to know our systems better, it will be fun to grow with them.”
For ISS, three key differentiators stand out when it comes to NorthBuilt:
- Flexibility over commitments: No 40-hour weekly requirements
- Owner involvement: Direct access to technically skilled founders
- Long-term thinking: Genuine interest in maintenance and support work
Results: Stability and growth potential
While Chad noted that so far NorthBuilt “hasn’t changed my world,” for him, this was actually the point: Ongoing support and maintenance from skilled, technical partners, without big commitments.
More importantly, Chad sees the long-term potential. “The owners of NorthBuilt are involved. They’re super sharp. We are starting slowly, but I can see us eventually becoming one of their biggest customers as our relationship grows.”
The Bottom Line: Finding the right fit
For companies caught between expensive in-house developers and agencies chasing big projects, Chad’s experience illustrates the value of a true partnership approach. NorthBuilt’s flexibility and commitment to maintenance work make them easy to work with.
“It’s like having in-house software developers,” Chad concludes.
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