Oak Brook data center expands, plans to hire more workers

Washington, D.C.-based Latisys has three data centers nationwide, including one in Oak Brook that is in the midst of a major expansion for both its physical plant and its workforce.

The Oak Brook data center houses critical corporate information and Web sites for about 70 Fortune 500 companies and smaller organizations. Those 70 companies account for about 70 percent of the space sold. The center is about 86,000 square feet. It just completed an addition of about 9,000 square feet. A second phase has started to add another 13,000 square feet and could be completed later this year.

More space could be added in the future, said company spokesman Brian Lustig.

For security reasons, Latisys declined to name the companies that use the data center. After all, it aims to keep the information and Web sites safe from hackers and other problems, said Lustig.

"I can tell you that the Latisys Oak Brook data center customer base is made up of large, recognizable locally headquartered enterprises as well as large financial services and trading firms," he said.

Data centers are playing a critical role in securing corporate information and Internet-related activities, including Web sites. It's also a growing industry, as proof of the major expansion in Oak Brook. As a result of this growth, Latisys plans to expand its Oak Brook workforce.

Latisys started the year with 14 and now has 28 employees. The company plans to add 33 percent to the staff in the next six months, bringing the workforce up to 37 by spring, Lustig said.

Surfing: St. Charles-based Dukane Audio Visual has released a redesigned Web site, www.dukcorp.com/av, for its audio visual and educational technology equipment. The site provides informational services and sales support for more than 700 dealers and others customers, including local school districts businesses and organizations.

• Chicago-based MyWrigleyville.com provides a center for events and photo shares and now offers a certified partner program for rooftop operators and area businesses. The site also provides online booking for events.

• Chicago-based VocationMatch.com, sponsored by Vision Vocation Guide of the National Religious Vocation Conference, saw a record number of people complete online profiles and inquire about becoming a nun, priest or brother. The site saw the inquiries jump from 5,591 last year to 7,073 this year. The site found that many wanted service-oriented or missionary communities and most men and women wanted to wear a religious habit.