PEOPLESOFT IMPLEMENTORS: New paradigm

Last Sunday I posted a message to several Java groups regarding a new concept for the supply of Java developers to the market, a concept that greatly benefits the developer and end-client. PEOPLESOFT CONSULTANTS Please read that original post regarding Java attached below to understand the basic concept I'm refering to...

The concept was well received, over 60 responses in four days, all saying the idea was great and that they were interested in pursuing this type of corporate structure. We are working on starting our pilot project (probably in Atlanta) soon.

Will it work as well for PEOPLESOFT? We believe so. I visited a company yesterday and they have a need for over 20 PeopleSoft implementors. They suggested that this paradigm would work well for this high-rate area of consulting. The demand is very high and the supply (for well experienced implementors) was low. Sounded like a fit to me. In fact PeopleSoft, SAP, and Oracle may be perfect targets for this concept.

So...CONSULTANTS WITH PEOPLESOFT IMPLEMENTATION SKILLS, is this a paradigm you would be interested in? The opportunity is for you to 1) work with a group of other top notch developers in this development/implementation area, 2) work with a select account (probably fortune 500), and 3) work for higher than usual compenation. We would target total compensation (annualized) at $150K to $250K. This would be through salary or hourly compensation and profit sharing. All financials are revealed in this paradigm. You always know what the corporation takes and what the developers take. And I'm serious about an 80/80 model. 80% of the company (developers) make 80% of the money. We're still woking on the model and will be somewhere very close to this 80/80 model when we complete it. (Taxes are the only issue we're struggling with. We are also trying to determine the specific relatonship between the corporate entity and the developer.)

Interested? We have an immediate pilot opportunity. If you are interested in pursuing, please forward your electronic resumes to me as soon as possible. We will provide the details on the pilot when they are gathered (by early next week at least).

Thanks,
Roy

Supply and Demand... There is a limited supply of Java developers but a large demand. And the demand will no doubt get bigger, as will the supply. Little companies and projects will be OK, as long as they can pay the rates or settle for less experience. It's the really big projects that are difficult. For example, CSX (the railroad company) is rumored to need as many as 50 Java developers for a new project. Another manufacturing software provider is converting all 33 of their current applications to Java and will require up to 50 Java developers also. There are many of these large projects out there. Recruiting and supplying groups of Java developers is very difficult. If you're a Java developer with at least 6 months of experience and several additional years of C++ development, I may have an idea you may be interested in. The idea came about for two reasons. First, I have always resented the unbalanced compensation of Executive Management and the real work force in a software development or consulting company. Secondly, the new opportunties and demand created because of the introduction of Java.

I work for a large systems integrator and have been perplexed at the approach taken to meet the Java demand in the marketplace. Although it's a good bet there will be big opportunity for Java developers, we do not recruit unless we have signed business. However, it's a chicken and egg situation. You can't really win the big deals unless you have resources available or can demonstrate an ability to bring those resources to the table quickly. Recruiting 50+ Java developers in today's environment could take months. Lately, everyone wants to move quickly, not willng to wait 5 or 6 months for the team to show up. My idea answers this problem, allowing delivery of large numbers of Java developers within weeks, as early as 3 weeks from the signing of the contract.

Regarding unbalanced compensation... Are you familiar with the Walters/AT&T deal. Basically AT&T brought in a top exec to eventually take over, but things didn't work out. The booby prize... millions of dollars. Very typical. Recently in my company, we hired a new exec with a great background and was suppose to be the answer to all problems, but things didn't work out. The booby prize, he walked out with 5% of the company. Compensation for executive management is out of control. Salaries for system engineers and developers are basically fixed in the sub-150k range. Anything outside of this window and you have to own your own company. But look at Executive compensation. Marginally successful execs are making millions in their stock games and creative compensation deals. I don't think developers need to give up their development jobs to make big-time compensation.

There are two basic results with the implementation of my idea. First, a company who needs a large number Java consultants can have them on site within 3 to 4 weeks of signing a contract. And second, the developers on the team will make both a large salary for the duration of the contract and profit share a large percentage of the total revenue. I'm targetting compensation at $200k+/yr. There may also be stock options, dependng on how the entity is structured.

The idea requires a "team" of Java developers be assembled in a portfolio that is sold to clients, either the end-client requiring development services, or a system integrator that manages the end-client and simply delivers the Java team as part of a contracted deal. Once a deal is signed, the entire team arranges to be on-site, within a matter of weeks. Compensation is worked out prior to the deal for the team and the profit sharing is based on the total work effort and number on the team. Only large, long-term deals would be signed.

There are several benefits for the team. Higher salaries than usual. Significant profit sharing. Possibilty of stock options. Work for a large corporation on a breakthrough product. Work with a large team of peer Java developers. The "investment", the initial commitment to join the team (on paper), has a desireable return.

I'm currently in discussions with a talented financial executive. He is the CFO in a very successful public company. He is willing to work out the financial models to make my idea a reality. But he wants to know if I can find participants. That's what I'm looking for in comp.lang.java.misc and comp.lang.java.programmer. If you tink you may be interested in this concept or just would like more info, please reply by email.

Thanks,

Roy Received on Thu Aug 21 1997 - 00:00:00 CEST