KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. Magazine, the premier publication for small and medium-sized businesses, today released its 23rd annual Inc. 500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The White Stone Group, maker of the VoiCert system used by nearly 250 hospitals nationwide ranks 411 on the list, with four year average annual sales growth of 91.2 percent. The Inc. 500 Special Issue will appear on newsstands October 26.
The White Stone Group, Inc. attributes its growth to its flagship product VoiCert, which is a voice-based computer system that brings efficiency to the communication among hospitals, physician offices, ambulatory care facilities, and healthcare payers. The patented VoiCert process also provides improved accuracy of communications, as each transaction is archived electronically. The archived voice transaction information allows providers and payers to streamline the dispute resolution process, saving both time and money.
“The best thing you can say about this year’s crop of Inc. 500 entrepreneurs is that they didn’t buy into the hype,” said Inc. editor-in- chief John Koten. “When people were practically giving away funding in the late 1990s, these companies didn’t overextend, and when everyone hit the panic button a few years later, they stayed calm and seized opportunity.”
The Inc. 500 ranks privately held companies according to averaged year- over-year sales growth over the past four years. With approximately 75 percent of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from small businesses, the Inc. 500 is a prescient indicator of the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 500 has identified the next generation of world-class companies, with Microsoft, Stonyfield Farms, Timberland, Oracle, The Princeton Review, Morningstar, E* Trade, Intuit, and Domino’s Pizza all appearing on the list before they became industry powerhouses.
To be eligible for this year’s Inc. 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2003, have had at least $200,000 in net sales in the base year of 1999 for Inc. 500 alumni and 2000 for new applicants, and $2 million in net sales for 2003. In addition, their 2003 sales had to exceed 2002 sales. Companies are ranked on averaged year-over- year sales growth. Inc. verifies all information using tax forms and audited financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials.
Inc., the only business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of fast-growing private companies, delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. It provides hands-on tools and market- tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing and technology. Inc. is the premier publication that focuses on small to medium- size businesses, which are responsible for more than half the nation’s gross domestic product and 75% of its new jobs. And Inc. looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc., a Gruner + Jahr USA publication, inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects our readers’ energy, brashness, and imagination.
About The White Stone Group
Founded in 1991, The White Stone Group, Inc. developed VoiCert in 1998 in response to demands from customers for a telephonic software solution that could improve the accuracy and efficiency of completing authorization transactions between health care providers and managed care payers. Since then, the company has deployed sales coverage throughout the United States. VoiCert is now licensed for use in more than 240 hospitals, and interfaces directly with payers that represent over 50 million insured lives. Clients include national systems such as HCA and Tenet, as well as large regional systems such as Cleveland Clinic, Methodist Healthchoice of Memphis and Memorial Hermann of Houston. More at http://www.voicert.com/ . VoiCert is a registered trademark of The White Stone Group.
White Stone Group, Inc.
CONTACT: Robert Cathey for White Stone Group, Inc., +1-865-584-0550x108, or rcathey@ackermannpr.com
Web site: http://www.voicert.com/