Grand Rapids-based technology firm Open Systems Technologies opened an office in Ann Arbor in March and now plans to hire additional staff.

The new location, at 2723 S. State St., houses seven employees, and marketing manager Michael Lomonaco said that number will grow.

“We’re still looking for Cisco computing consultants as well as data center solutions architects and account executives,” he said.

The office will provide service and customer support to OST’s clients in the Ann Arbor and metro-Detroit areas.

“OST has been doing business on the east side of the state for 15 years. With the opening of our new Ann Arbor office, we are excited to be able to play a larger role in terms of community engagement and supporting existing and new clients in the sales and technical arenas,” OST President and CEO Dan Behm said in a statement.

OST provides IT and software consulting to companies in the healthcare, manufacturing and finance sectors. Their clients in the area include Blue Cross Blue Shield and ProQuest.

Lomanaco said that the number of businesses in in the area along with the amount of talent available led to the opening of the Ann Arbor location.

“The amount of talent coming out of the city from the university, the business class, and the business opportunities is outstanding,” he said. “There are a lot of new businesses starting up, and great access to Detroit.”

He also said that while much of the company’s work can be done remotely, the ability to open an office closer to customers will be a boost for both OST and its clients.

“In our experience, local presence is very important. Companies want to work with partners that live, play, and work within their communities,” he said.

“You’d rather do business with someone whose daughter is also on your daughter’s soccer team than some guy across the country.”

Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2