The Road More Traveled (or Taking the Wrong Road)

In the summer of 2004, we were invited into an extensive RFP process with a large international operator. After extensive due diligence, we were selected as one of 3 finalists. The operator informed the contenders that each would have to endure a 3 day intensive demonstration process with very specific tasks that had to be completed.

We successfully went through the process and received rave reviews from the operator’s staff and subject matter experts. We left confident that, the operator would select us, because, by their own account, our system functionally out performed the 2 competitors that went before us.

Alas, good fortune would turn a blind eye. To our dismay, the President called us and said “we are so sorry, but we just can’t go with you and we’re picking another vendor.” He told us “your system was technically superior to all the others, but we are just afraid it is too new. The other vendor has many systems up in Europe and they have a bigger track record.” Also, he stated that “the other system has a template based consumer web solution” (see why they are Bad). We told him to beware, because it sounded like more eye candy than a sound business system. He apologized and said, “We just can’t take the risk.” So the more traveled road was taken.

Time passed, over half a year later, the well traveled road reached a dead-end and the project was terminated. The seemingly safe bet, they “Discovered“, was just not capable of meeting their business needs and did not deliver as promised…Meanwhile, we delivered and implemented a complete enterprise solution to Uniworld Cruises that is up and running at full capacity, and installed Viking River Cruises.

Moral: Whoever you choose, the safe bet is the provider that can demonstrate that they the have the talent, technology, and desire to get a job done.

We get jobs done right, and our technology is the most technically sound. Is there anything else that matters when your business is on the line? Will this large operator take the right road? Yes, but first they have recover from the time and costs they lost.

Want to confirm the story? We can’t help you on this one. We honor and respect the confidentiality of prospective customers also.

The Road More Traveled (or Taking the Wrong Road)

In the summer of 2004, we were invited into an extensive RFP process with a large international operator. After extensive due diligence, we were selected as one of 3 finalists. The operator informed the contenders that each would have to endure a 3 day intensive demonstration process with very specific tasks that had to be completed.

We successfully went through the process and received rave reviews from the operator’s staff and subject matter experts. We left confident that, the operator would select us, because, by their own account, our system functionally out performed the 2 competitors that went before us.

Alas, good fortune would turn a blind eye. To our dismay, the President called us and said “we are so sorry, but we just can’t go with you and we’re picking another vendor.” He told us “your system was technically superior to all the others, but we are just afraid it is too new. The other vendor has many systems up in Europe and they have a bigger track record.” Also, he stated that “the other system has a template based consumer web solution” (see why they are Bad). We told him to beware, because it sounded like more eye candy than a sound business system. He apologized and said, “We just can’t take the risk.” So the more traveled road was taken.

Time passed, over half a year later, the well traveled road reached a dead-end and the project was terminated. The seemingly safe bet, they “Discovered“, was just not capable of meeting their business needs and did not deliver as promised…Meanwhile, we delivered and implemented a complete enterprise solution to Uniworld Cruises that is up and running at full capacity, and installed Viking River Cruises.

Moral: Whoever you choose, the safe bet is the provider that can demonstrate that they the have the talent, technology, and desire to get a job done.

We get jobs done right, and our technology is the most technically sound. Is there anything else that matters when your business is on the line? Will this large operator take the right road? Yes, but first they have recover from the time and costs they lost.

Want to confirm the story? We can’t help you on this one. We honor and respect the confidentiality of prospective customers also.