Building Smarter Cannabis Operations Through Partnership

When Calyx Peak Companies decided to scale its cannabis operations across multiple states, it knew that technology would be the foundation—not an afterthought. The company, known for brands like Smackers and Pinchy’s and for its flagship cultivation facility in Missouri, turned to Netverta to design the infrastructure that would support its ambitious growth. What began as a small advisory role has evolved into a multi-year strategic partnership reshaping the operational backbone of one of the most forward-thinking cannabis operators in the country.

A Meeting of Minds—and Markets

Netverta and Calyx Peak were first connected by a mutual industry executive, a typical origin story in what Mike Cote, Managing Partner at Netverta, calls “a very small world” when it comes to cannabis.

“The initial engagement was to simply come in as a technology advisor and help get the ‘house’ in order a bit,” said Cote. “Calyx Peak was facing the same technology challenges that you’d expect from any fast-growing, startup business, so we took a practical approach to designing the systems they needed—always with scalability in mind.”

That foundational alignment quickly turned into something much more robust. Calyx wasn’t just looking for an IT contractor; they needed a long-term solutions partner who could help them expand into new territories without starting from scratch every time.

“It was made very clear that the owners wanted a solutions partner, not just a technology vendor,” said Cote. “We were on the same page with Calyx’s ownership team when it came to their vision.”

Infrastructure Meets Innovation

Netverta brought decades of retail technology and physical infrastructure experience to the table—skills that translated seamlessly into the cannabis space. With hundreds of retail build-outs under their belt, the team didn’t just install tech—they built the foundation.

“Cannabis tech infrastructure isn’t just about point-of-sale or surveillance,” Cote explained. “It’s compliance. It’s security. It’s redundancy. It’s being ready to respond to whatever a state regulator or market change throws at you.”

Netverta’s approach includes comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking systems, redundant network failovers, and vast video surveillance networks capable of storing terabytes of data—all tailored to the specific regulations of each state.

Even logistics vehicles aren’t overlooked. “Fleet vehicles transporting product may require compliant infrastructure and video retention,” said Cote. “Every piece of the operation has to be connected and accountable.”

The Smithville Cultivation Center

Perhaps the most impressive example of this partnership is Calyx Peak’s 82,000-square-foot cultivation and extraction facility in Smithville, Missouri. The build-out began with Netverta embedded in the blueprinting phase—an advantage that allowed for a truly integrated infrastructure.

“Think of it like building a home,” said Cote. “If the foundation is poorly constructed, the entire house suffers. We ensured the technology foundation could support rapid expansion without structural stress.”

That foundation now supports a fully connected cultivation operation. Environmental controls, irrigation systems, and lighting cycles are all digitally monitored and adjusted through a centralized system. Wireless connectivity blankets the facility, enabling AI-driven monitoring for both plant health and security anomalies.

“Technology is in every aspect of the cultivation center,” Cote added. “We designed it not just to support today’s operations, but to be future-proof for tomorrow’s expansions.”

The Power of Scalability

Howard Keum, CEO of Calyx Peak, credits the early tech investment with helping streamline growth as the company expanded from California to Missouri and Massachusetts.

“Because Netverta helped us build a scalable, compliant system from day one, we’re able to expand without rethinking everything every time we enter a new state,” Keum said. “That kind of foresight saves time, money, and a lot of headaches.”

With cannabis regulation differing widely between states, the tech stack had to be both standardized and adaptable. Netverta leaned into cloud-based cannabis software solutions with customizable workflows and built-in compliance updates.

“These platforms help reduce guesswork,” said Cote. “They evolve as state laws change, ensuring operations are always aligned with the latest requirements.”

Smart Facilities, Smarter Surveillance

While compliance is a priority, Netverta also brings cutting-edge innovation to the table. The firm is currently integrating AI-based video analytics that pair surveillance systems with 3D image recognition software. The goal? Real-time anomaly detection, loitering alerts, unauthorized access notifications, and more.

“Enhanced cybersecurity is becoming the new standard,” said Cote. “We’re deploying threat intelligence feeds, behavioral analysis, automated patching, and multi-factor authentication across our partners’ systems.”

The smart facility features extend to every corner of Calyx Peak’s operations—helping the company monitor everything from employee access to HVAC performance.

Back-End Technology Driving Front-End Success

While infrastructure lays the groundwork, it’s the data flowing through these systems that gives Calyx Peak an edge in product distribution and branding.

“With inventory and seed-to-sale systems integrated across states, we’re able to spot trends in real time,” said Keum. “We can shift supply to meet demand, fine-tune our retail experience, and make informed decisions about our in-house brands.”

That includes tailoring product distribution strategies for their flagship brands, Smackers and Pinchy’s, across more than 150 dispensaries served by their Missouri hub.

“Customer analytics help us understand who’s buying what, where, and why,” Keum added. “That kind of insight is invaluable when building consumer loyalty in a crowded market.”

Also Read: Last Week in Weed: May 27- June 3, 2025

What’s Next for Netverta

With cannabis tech evolving at a breakneck pace, Netverta isn’t slowing down. The team is currently piloting new AI-driven features and exploring further integrations with security, CRM, and direct-to-consumer tools.

“It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all industry,” Cote said. “Each client, each market, each facility requires a different approach. That’s what makes this space so fascinating—and it keeps us on our toes.”

From its initial role as a behind-the-scenes advisor, Netverta has grown into a cornerstone of Calyx Peak’s operational success.