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Technology

There are more than 5,700 professional, scientific and technology services companies in the KC region.

KC has a higher concentration of information and professional services employees than the U.S. average.

Made in KC

KC companies develop and employ some of the most innovative software and technology available.

• The nüvi navigation device has become one of the hottest products in GPS technology. The company that developed it is Garmin, and they operate from their international headquarters right here in KC!
• Business 2.0, Fast Company, and Computerworld recognize KC-based Cerner Corporation for its healthcare technology, corporate growth and employee satisfaction.
• DST Systems, Inc. is the country’s largest provider of third-party shareholder recordkeeping services and is headquartered in KC.
• Sprint Nextel maintains its operating headquarters in KC. Sprint has a long history of technology innovation including completion of the first nationwide, 100% digital, fiber-optic network; the world’s first public data network; first transatlantic fiber-optic phone call; first nationwide PCS network in the U.S.; and the first carrier to offer commercial internet access.

Professional Organizations

• Association of Information Technology Professionals
• The Data Management Association – Kansas City

MBA programs are offered at most colleges in the KC area. Visit Higher Education for a list of schools.

History

The innovative and pioneering spirit of Kansas City can be traced back to the days of the wagon trains heading west on the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails. Modern innovation and technology truly began in KC in the mid to late 70s.

In 1983, two men formed the Kansas Advanced Technology Commission (KATC), which had a $200,000 budget.  KATC was formed to promote high technology projects to get Kansas out of an economic slump.

By 1986, a non-partisan group including legislators, university representatives and private sector representatives gathered to discuss concern for the state economy.  After extensive review of the economic situation, recommendations were made for a new economic development strategy.  The Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation was born of these recommendations in 1987. 

Technology has become a key to economic success, and several Kansas City companies are leaders in the technology industry. 

Three friends, Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig and Paul Gorup, met at a picnic table in Kansas City’s Loose Park in 1979.  From their discussions about the future of health care and entrepreneurial spirit, the idea for Cerner Corporation was born.  Cerner has become the leading supplier of health information technology solutions.  The technology developed by Cerner since 1979 has revolutionized healthcare by eliminating paperwork, reducing errors and maintaining comprehensive patient health records.       

Leading the way in global positioning system (GPS) technology is Kansas City –based Garmin.  In the early 1990s, Garmin’s first handheld GPS units supported the Coalition Forces in the Gulf War.  Since this time, Garmin leads the GPS technology industry in both sales and critical acclaim. Its nuvi personal navigation system was a holiday best-seller in 2006.

Kansas City’s diverse technology industry spans many businesses, projects, companies and products, and continues to expand and develop.