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To: CharlieBoy who wrote (4917)	3/15/1998 2:58:00 PM
From: Jeffrey S. Mitchell	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10786

CharlieBoy, you are correct that proper planning is what separates the Y2K powerhouses from the wannabees. Here's what I like about ALYD, and what, IMO, makes them unique: 1. Factory approach vs. body shop: yes, it takes bodies to run a factory, but the best analogy is that although it takes one person to operate a printing press, going from printing 1000 to 100,000 copies simply means adding more paper, not another operator. 2. Windowing vs. Expansion: ALYD learned early on that companies wanted windowing and was able to focus its energies in that area. 3. Proven technology: ALYD had its share of screw-ups in '96, but they had enough of a head-start on the pack that they were able to work out the kinks and snag a few Fortune 500 companies for reference in time for the initial rush of mid '97. 4. Ability to remediate multiple languages at the same time: ALYD realized early on that it is rare to find Fortune 500 companies with 100% COBOL solutions. To use an analogy, why hire someone to paint your house if they don't do the moldings? 5. Ability to remediate niche languages: ALYD has quietly been able to sign up companies using Natural. The company that developed Natural says there are 10 billion lines of it worldwide. 6. International vs. National: Y2K is a worldwide problem, so why limit yourself to the US? Much the same way ALYD learned it is better not to license your toolset, they learned it is better to fully control your international subsidiaries, which they now do after buying out their contract with Chase. Let's also not forget about the Euro problem, which overseas clients like British Air will undoubtedly also face. Well, I could go on, but suffice to say if you pare down the Y2K list to those companies that meet the above criteria, you don't have many left. To use your quote: As Bill Gates proves time after time, it ain't what you do it's the way that you do it. In '96-'97 we saw the "plan"; in '98-2003 we'll see the execution. - Jeff