CASSOPOLIS — With 39-year court reporter Vicki Knutson retiring Jan. 3, it’s the end of an era for Cass County Circuit Court and the beginning of a new one.

Circuit will be the last court to purchase a digital recording system. County commissioners at their last 2011 meeting Thursday night approved Circuit Judge Michael Dodge’s request to buy such a system from BIS Digital for an amount not to exceed $21,464 from the court’s general fund budget.

Gov. William Milliken appointed Knutson Sept. 1, 1972, to the 43rd judicial circuit.

“Vicki was responsible for accurately recording, transcribing and maintaining court proceedings,”states Resolution 169, offered by Commissioner Ron Francis, R-Cassopolis. “Vicki’s dedication and service to Cass County for the last 39 years has been greatly appreciated and will be missed … the board wishes Vicki the best in her retirement and future endeavors.”

“After securing price quotes and interviewing vendors,” said Commissioner Charles Arnold, R-Cassopolis, “the lowest quote — and vendor that services our other courts — is being recommended. The court reporter position is not being replaced. This savings in wages and benefits will pay for this system in less than five months.”

BIS Digital, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., provided the system the county installed in District Court, as well as referee hearing rooms, according to Judge Dodge, who attended the meeting. Another vendor’s bid would have exceeded $50,000.

Bruce Tennyson, President and Founder of TBM stated “This merger fits with our philosophy to sell the best products and to back them up with local service and factory trained technicians. We have spent over two years planning our move into digital recording systems and are excited to join BIS.”

BIS is merging TBM operations into its Fort Lauderdale, FL Headquarters, while retaining TBM’s Nashville, TN location for sales and service. All TBM employees will be retained and additional marketing staff will be added to that location.

BIS CEO, Steve Coldren commented on the transaction “TBM provided a near perfect match for BIS expansion, including a strategic location between our Fort Lauderdale and Detroit offices, along with experienced staff and a loyal customer base. Most importantly, all TBM court customers are currently using analog systems and are prime prospects for BIS’s digital recording systems. We believe this combination will allow us to increase sales dramatically during the next 18 months.”

BIS is a 24 year old firm with over 2,000 customers currently using digital, audio and video recording systems. BIS plans to offer the new fully integrated DCR software to TBM’s existing accounts, as well as aggressively marketing the new products into the Tennessee market.

The agreement provides BIS Digital, Inc. with the exclusive right of distribution of the Liberty Recording software in all its current marketing territory including FL, GA, AL, TN, KY, IN, OH, MI and WV. The agreement also provides for additional marketing rights in other states soon to be announced.

High Criteria and BIS Digital have agreed to work together on the next release of the Liberty digital recording product with regard to features and function and the new Liberty version 4.0 will also be distributed by BIS Digital under the label of DCR 4.0. The new version will include a robust suite of features including full integration of audio files, notes files and video files.

BIS Digital, Inc., a 23 year old firm with over 2,000 customers currently using audio only software, plan to offer the new fully integrated software from High Criteria to its existing accounts that want to add video capabilities to their existing systems.

According to Gordon Bennett, President of High Criteria, Inc., this agreement will provide an immediate customer base for their product as they seek to compete in the US market. Steve Coldren, President of BIS Digital stated that the agreement will enable BIS Digital to offer its customers with faster response to new software requirements as they develop and provide BIS with the ability to move into new markets quickly.

Additionally, the agreement provides for a Master Product Support Agreement with BIS Digital that will allow High Criteria to concentrate on product delivery and development while relying on BIS Digital to use its 24 hour/7 day a week customer support group to handle all product service requests.