CapacityWare’s foundation is dramatically different than other software in that is serves enterprise level systems as a transparent composite of organization development products within an information technology vehicle. We know of no other product that combines the attributes of these two domains with such comprehensive precision.

This summary is offered as a way of answering questions that would otherwise surface when investigating the potential use of CapacityWare in your organization. Three broad areas are considered: Implementation, Supportability, and Cost. This outline is derived from A Guide to Software Package Evaluation and Selection, written by Nathan Hollander and published by AMACOM, copyright 2000.

1. QWLC Responsiveness. QWLC has developed a successful organization development practice in the Hampton Roads Region of Virginia based on a simple premise: When people need an organization developer, they need help yesterday! Our business and our reputation is built on being responsive to the needs of our clients quickly and effectively. Our software development efforts have included a third party organization that has a similar philosophy. Our retainer clients also have access to our cell phone directory that effectively provides 24-hour access to all key staff personnel.

2. QWLC Background. QWLC is a classical organization development firm with over 25 years experience. We specialize in helping complex organizations solve complex problems with "deep" solutions. Although we do some training events, most of our curriculum is designed to certify serious organization development practitioners or fully engage an organization’s population in serious "citizenship" learning to improve effectiveness.

3. Organization Development Maturity. The founder and staff at QWLC are seasoned veterans of classical organization development. The initial engagements started the founder and principals down a specialized path that they "own" today because of their landmark work in the arena of measuring the cultural capacity of their client organizations and assisting those organizations with improvements as needed. QWLC has authored a one-of-kind model system continuing to be "unpacked" after two decades. Seeing the need for an enterprise system that would plug organization development into the mainstream of business processes, the founder began automating the revolutionary Technology in the early 1980’s, and continues to refine the system as new needs are discovered.

4. Software Development Maturity. The founder of QWLC worked on developing advanced human resource systems in Washington, DC, in the mid-seventies as both an HR Manager and a mainframe computer systems designer. Many of the original programs, although converted to more current language, continue to be used to this day. Initial programming for CapacityWare was completed in several popular languages throughout the 1980’s and into the mid-nineties. The investment to convert the entire system to a Windows environment has brought synergistic results and the system has grown exponentially. From 1989 until the present, the system has been in continuous use by QWLC as the tool-of-choice in serving our own clients (thereby providing a tremendous competitive advantage). In late 2000, QWLC decided to offer CapacityWare to other large complex organizations having an organization development component. Immediate interest in our system resulted from Newport News Shipbuilding (17,000 employees), and their prime enterprise system developer SAP, of Walldorf, Germany.

1. Modification. The QWLC system for implementing modifications engages a four part process:

• The user identifies a need for modification, transmits that need to the Technology Group where it is prioritized and integrated into the workstream.
• Our assigned programmer(s) take the corrective action required to implement the modification. Periodically (depending on the priority -this may be daily, or less frequently for less important modifications), a new version is compiled and loaded onto an operating test computer.
• The operating test computer is detailed to fully implement the modification and look for potential unforeseen impacts. Modifications may also be requested based on this test.
• When completed, the new version is made available for all office and client users to electronically clone. Instances have occurred when several upgrades have been cloned during the course of a week to assure that users have the latest and most effective software possible. From the reporting of a need for modification to cloning, the cycle time may be as little as hours regardless of the client’s location.

6. Third Party. QWLC uses a local third party programming resource. Over the years, QWLC has changed programming resources three times to assure the latest technology and talent could be applied to our innovations. We are satisfied that our current provider is up to the challenge of our current and next generation versions, and our pledge is that our provider always will be up to the challenge.

7. Implementation Assistance. QWLC has nothing but reputation to offer a client that has not fully experienced our capability. From the beginning of our involvement with a new client we know that every encounter is critical to our success and the success of our client as they serve others. We undertake a comprehensive regimen during the adoption phase (post-sale, and pre-delivery). The current version of CapacityWare is stripped clean and we begin "teaching" it what it needs to know to serve our first-user client base immediately. When we deliver our first product onto the first computer it is ready to use. The critical Tables (potentially 21 of them) are already loaded with information needed to function properly based on data collected in advance. We do not expect a first-time user to complete this information-load without assistance.

8. Quality. We know of no other product that performs the functions of CapacityWare – we fully expect that others will attempt to emulate this package, however. Our focus is innovation. We have repeatedly taken chances that proved to put us clearly ahead of the pack. With this mentality, we do everything reasonable to produce the best possible product – yet we know that around the next corner will be another innovation. If our clients are satisfied, we are likely not to be. We are always more restless than our clients for more innovative and more reliable solutions.

9. Documentation. We have engineered our software to require minimum documentation, which is available on our web site and included in our reference links throughout the program. Documentation on the organization development side of our system is contained in over 20 three-ring binders that constitute our Client Library (and a few more in our Consultant Library). In addition, our web site (LTODI.com) is one of the most extensive knowledge-based resources in the organization development industry. Major educational institutions regularly access our web site , we believe because of the depth of knowledge stored there.

10. Training. QWLC conducts the majority of its training for both software and organization development practitioners at our Quality of WorkLife Center. All events are fully supported by current Client Library or Consultant Library literature. QWLC is similar to a teaching hospital in many respects. As learners attend events at our Center, we normally schedule a client intervention to coincide with the scheduled learning event so that learners get both a classroom and an in-service component.

1. QWLC Responsiveness. Once CapacityWare has been installed in an organization, QWLC responds quickly to client needs. Our library of literature is available at key times during an intervention, and immediately available as updates occur through our web site literature gateway. Legitimate users obtain a password that enables them to download updates whenever desired. An easy-to-use Table of Contents contains the date of the latest version, which can easily be compared to the date of the material issued to a user. The user can simply download what is needed to be current at any time. In addition, QWLC provides a phone access through local numbers, a toll free service, and even cell phone directories for key retainer clients.

2. Quality. CapacityWare clearly outperforms any software package in it’s category. Our intention is to maintain that superior performance throughout the life of the product and into subsequent versions. Modifications will be incorporated into continual upgrades so that continuity will be maintained. Client-unique features will continue to be applied through Tables so as not to alter the consistency and quality of product support through electronically available upgrades.

3. Development Methodology. QWLC continues to use CapacityWare with its own clients and the clients of affiliated consulting firms. Between the rigorous demands of meeting internal expectations for constant innovation and the added demands of Technology users as expressed through user groups and individually, QWLC will continue to further develop both the software and organization development component in concert. Already, the next version of CapacityWare begins to leap from the imagination to programming design. We will continue to use Microsoft platforms compatible with the Office suite throughout our development efforts.

4. Modifications. During support QWLC will channel modifications to those that will be incorporated into current version enhancements, and those that will be delayed for future version release. Every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of clients in current version modifications.

5. Financial Stability. Although the business world is uncertain, QWLC is in its eighth year of successful and profitable operations. The expansion of business opportunities through software sales at enterprise-level systems in 2000 affords a new growth domain. Year 2000 revenues return a 6% increase in revenue, characteristic of QWLC financial performance. QWLC is a family owned corporation with a solid track record for being responsive to market demands with a long-term commitment to niche (OD/IT) dominance by the year 2005. QWLC’s Strategic Plan horizon extends to the year 2015. When the Plan was initiated in 1985, QWLC charted a course that has varied little from original performance projections.

6. Warranty. QWLC guarantees two things: technological compatibility, and satisfaction. We simply will not undertake a project that we do not believe from the outset will be successful. Furthermore, any product that does not perform as promised will be replaced, or upgraded quickly.

7. User Group Sponsorships. For seven years QWLC has welcomed client participation in the further development of OD and IT Technology we use with our clients. We will continue to offer user groups (by any name) with the intention of being responsive to the needs of those we serve. QWLC believes that users are stakeholders in the future of our products and services. We will not turn a deaf ear to those we serve or intend to serve. We will support internal user groups within large client organizations as well as "mixed" user groups that cover multiple clients.

8. Support Functions. QWLC support functions include the following:

• ODI will make every effort to maintain equipment and operating systems commensurate with client systems for the purpose of being able to duplicate the operating conditions under which CapacityWare and it’s ancillary products and services are operating.
• ODI will maintain effective client service telephone communications access to client users during normal business hours and emergency services 24-7.
• ODI will maintain a comprehensive web site that includes current documentation on all user-oriented topics.
• ODI will make available on-site services for special conditions that require attention.
• ODI will maintain and continuously improve training to keep pace with innovations in CapacityWare and ancillary products and services (both OD and IT).

1. One-time Costs. One-time costs are incurred prior to or early-on during the installation of CapacityWare in the client organization. One-time costs include:

• Initial license (cost is scaled based on configuration and quantity).
• Costs associated with initial system setup.
• Costs associated with initial documentation.
• Costs associated with initial training.

2. Recurring Costs. Recurring costs are incurred on a recurring (normally negotiated annually) basis. Potential recurring costs include:

• Technology use "counters."
• Maintenance/Modification Fees.

3. Annual Operating Costs. Annual Operating Costs are incurred annually depending upon the level of services provided. Annual Operating Costs include:

• Equipment or software configuration upgrades.
• Consulting.
• Training.
• Service Center Operations.

4. Upgrade Costs. Upgrade Costs are associated with upgrading CapacityWare with new features not present in the initial installation and beyond the score of incidental modifications. Upgrade Costs include:

• Value-added features.
• Cost of delivery vehicle CD-ROM versus electronic delivery, etc..