Taoman:
Thanks for getting me off my behind on this. For the longest time I couldn't figure out how CSGI could possibly be related to Ken, but looking at one of Ken's old posts connected them to IDS. CSGI is a new banner for the people at what was IDS. Now I know.
If I understand the assertions about Ken and CSGI they boil down to one or both of:
1) They suggest Ken Parsons worked for CSGI, CSGI folks are a bit shady so Ken must be shady;
2) They suggest Ken Parsons worked for CSGI to develop CAST, therefore CSGI is marketing the same tool.
Niether paints a picture much like the facts, so let me put what I know about this all out in public view.
Ken Parsons worked at PRC (so did I) when he became involved with IDS. The nature of this involvement was that PRC was subcontracted to IDS on one or more jobs. Small companies commonly act as prime contractor using a big company as a sub in software services. This gives the contract a small business advantage in bidding which the government provides to assist small business in developing.
IDS attempted to cut PRC out by developing a tool similar to CAST. Of course they did not have the advantage of Ken's experience, so they took longer than expected and had to retain PRC to do much of the work.
Ken Parsons left PRC, taking the rights to CAST which he had brought to PRC in the first place. Ken went off to found Plexus Group.
IDS refused to pay Ken, as Ken did not have the resources to battle this in court. This was an act of IDS reneging on contract, just as the prior actions were bad faith, if I understand the contract between the various parties correctly. IDS had not paid Ken at the last time we spoke about this. IDS did pay PRC.
At no time did Ken work for IDS as management or an employee. The contracts involved never gave IDS/CSGI any rights to CAST sourcecode according to Ken. CSGI/IDS did steal concepts of operation possibly amounting to piracy in my-own opinion,
To gain independent verification of this data, you would have to call someone at PRC who was involved. I would suggest Dick Braun, Sr. VP or Len Goldman who was chief counsel at the time I think. He may still be. The number for PRC is (703) 556 1000.
If you or anyone else does call and get through, please post verification here. This will save thoie folks from recieving repeated calls, and they are nice guys with lots of work to do.
I would summarize it this way: Ken was not on the "shady" side of this deal. Ken did not work for IDS/CSGI at any time. IDS/CSGI management may have been HIGHLY unethical.
If I were CSGI, I would be worried about legal action by Ken on this. Certainly any claims on there part that they have CAST would expose them legaly. If they are making such claims and you or any other reader knows about this, please post here so Ken will know. |
