Bob: re: if all they can offer them is a CRM package, how many of these shops are likely to take them on over the others (with whom they already have a relationship)?
You know, that's something that has been tugging at my shirt sleeve for quite a while.
I've often wondered how it was that FSTW landed that UK deal for the Football Association. If you step back a bit and look at it logically, it just doesn't make sense.
It appears that they're not implementing FSTW's existing CRM solution. Instead, they're building applications using FSTW's new GUI that sits on top of Extreme Logic's .NET framework. FSTW didn't even announce that alliance until August 2002. So, assuming that the Football Association project started early last year, what the salesman pitched must not have been that solution.
So, how and when did they "migrate" to the new framework? Who was it who decided to curtail all activity on the work done up to that time, and switch over?
Interesting.
I wonder if what was contracted for wasn't CRM at all? Perhaps the Football Association just wanted some customized apps built for them, and they chose FSTW to build them. Then, FSTW went looking for a set of tools to build them with ... and stumbled across Extreme Logic. It wasn't too hard to stumble across them. They're in Atlanta, after all.
Now, the obvious question is .... why would FSTW be selected to build custom apps? FSTW is in the CRM business, not the custom app building business. How did FSTW get their foot in the door of what appears to be a lucrative contract?
Whatever. It seems to be working out well from "out here", anyway. The experience that FSTW is gaining with their new "CRM thingy" is valuable.
I wonder if (and, when?) the Football Association project completion is announced if it will impact the stock price, or if that's already factored in?
Regards,
TED |
