About Ascent Information Management
A South Texas IT consultancy built on real-world experience, local relationships, and a genuine commitment to your success.
Co-Owner, Shiner Dental
IT Expertise Grounded in Business Reality
Bobby Cowan has been working in IT since 1998 — nearly 30 years of hands-on experience spanning enterprise software development, database administration, infrastructure, and small business consulting. For over a decade, he worked as a .NET web application developer and DBA, building and maintaining the kind of business-critical systems that most IT consultants only support from the outside.
In 2010, Bobby and his wife, Dr. Melanie Cowan, co-founded Shiner Dental in Shiner, Texas. Dr. Melanie is the practicing dentist; Bobby runs the business operations and manages all of the practice's IT. That means when a dental client calls Ascent Information Management (AIM) about Eaglesoft, digital x-rays, or HIPAA compliance, they're talking to someone who has lived those exact challenges every single day since 2010.
That combination — deep technical roots, real software development experience, and active business ownership — is what makes AIM different. We don't just fix problems. We understand the business context behind them, and we build technology solutions that actually support your long-term goals.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
To be the most trusted IT partner for small businesses in South Texas — providing reliable, comprehensive technology solutions that let our clients focus on what they do best.
Our Vision
A South Texas where every small business and healthcare practice has access to enterprise-quality IT support, regardless of size or budget.
Our Values
Honesty, responsiveness, and genuine care for our clients' success. We build long-term relationships, not transactional engagements.
Why Clients Choose AIM
We Co-Own a Dental Practice
Bobby and his wife, Dr. Melanie Cowan, co-own Shiner Dental. Dr. Melanie is the practicing dentist; Bobby manages the business operations and all of the practice's IT. That firsthand experience gives AIM a unique understanding of the operational, compliance, and technology challenges healthcare practices face every day.
Full-Stack IT Capability
From the physical cable in the wall to cloud infrastructure and custom software, we handle every layer of technology. Bobby's background as a .NET developer and DBA means he understands systems at a depth most IT consultants simply don't have.
Local and Responsive
We're based in South Texas and serve businesses across Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Shiner, and the surrounding region. When you need us on-site, we're there — not sending a ticket to a call center in another state.
Custom Solutions Only
We don't sell packages. Every recommendation is built around your specific business, your workflow, and your budget. If you don't need it, we won't recommend it.
Serving Dental, Medical & Veterinary Practices
Healthcare IT is a specialty, not a sideline. AIM has deep expertise in the software, hardware, compliance requirements, and operational workflows that define dental, medical, and veterinary practices.
Let's Start With a Conversation
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest discussion about your technology and how we might be able to help.
Schedule a Free Consultation