News

Bee opens new business in Bottineau

By Scott Wagar

11/25/2014

Bottineau has a new IT business in the community called Bottineau Information Technology & Services, which offers a full scale computer firm to assist those in the area with their PC needs. 

Christopher Ming-Han Bee is the owner and operator of Bottineau Information Technology & Services. Bee was born in Martinez, Calif., and raised in Antioch, Calif. 

He earned an Associate degree in computer science and dramatic arts from DVC in the Bay Area. 

Bee’s experience in the IT world holds a wide spectrum of knowledge in this field with a specialty in computer legal work.

“I have been fortunate to take my computer knowledge and apply it to the legal world that I was already a part of, moving from being a file clerk to supporting firm computers and networks. Eventually I landed a position at one of the largest law firms in the world, where I was responsible for computer programming and support with a user base of over 800 users,” Bee said. 

“I added to my skill set when my wife and I decided to start our own business. For over 12 years, we successfully ran a litigation support business for law firms. We housed electronic discovery documents for law suits and also provided pre-production support for attorneys as well. 

“There was also a need for a lot of IT work, but we did not have a budget to hire outside help, nor purchase commercial operating systems. I taught myself everything we needed,” Bee said.

“So, I learned how to physically put together a network, create Linux servers, get the Linux server to talk to the Windows workstations, create a web server, create a website, create a database for the website, create custom software for our clients to use to view and order documents, learn graphic design and Photoshop for marketing materials. Basically, anything the business needed that involved a computer, I created and supported it.”

Bee added that in the professional level for businesses, he provided services in PC help, networking help, custom programming, Office Suite customization, database administration, complex word processing formatting, batch document scanning, graphic design that includes logo creation, website design and development, business stationary design, marketing materials design and he also provided process serving services and home user support for PCs. 

Bee and his wife, Sherrie, were both born in California, but made the move to North Dakota after the recession placed the nation in a spiral downfall.

“The economic crash a few years ago hit us really bad. In California, we lost our home, and we had to shut down our business,” Bee said. “Looking to start over, we began to look elsewhere beyond California. My wife was offered a job at the Fremstad Law Firm in Fargo and we decided to move.” 

This fall, Sherrie was offered a position in Fremstad’s office in Bottineau.

“Our experience in North Dakota has been pretty positive. It was both shocking and refreshing for us to see people that actually stop and help each other out. People in California talk a good game about supporting each other, but it rarely is put into practice.”

Bottineau Information Technology & Services is located out of his home and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To contact Bee, call (701) 850-1226 or e-mail him at chris@helpmebits.com.