QUALITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE   Truly outstanding people can make a difference. Top-quality IT pros manage their own performance and deliver superior solutions - and do it significantly faster. Their capabilities translate directly into reduced client management requirements, higher productivity and fewer subsequent problems. Our clients are learning that quality doesn't cost more.   INCREASINGLY COMPLEX NEEDS   We are dedicated to continuing to provide systems support, contracting and consulting services to meet clients' ever-changing needs. As software and systems become even more complex, design, architecture and facilitation of systems integration, enterprise automation, training and staff development will become increasingly important. These are also areas of STAR strength and service.   STAFF RETENTION AND CONTINUITY   Turnover in today's highly volatile marketplace makes it difficult to retain either full-time employees or contract people. This is another area of STAR difference that provides a significant benefit to our clients. Highly qualified professionals join and remain with us because our firm has been deliberately structured to serve the needs of associates. We offer them optimum autonomy, exceptional income opportunities plus paid benefits with minimal administrative requirements. This makes it very advantageous for associates to work within our organization. A number of our people previously were independent contractors but, now, they enjoy 'the best of both worlds' as STAR associates.   WARRANTED PERFORMANCE   IT managers are increasingly recognizing that hourly contract arrangements discourage rather than encourage productivity. They realize that it is more important to have working solutions delivered - as quickly as possible - than to have bodies in the seats. What counts is results! We also offer warranted systems software solutions, customized to clients' needs and requirements, delivered on time and on budget and guaranteed to work. When we deliver ahead of schedule, our clients enjoy the benefits sooner, often, at less cost than with hourly-based contracts. But, we are not financially penalized for our efficiency.   HELPING IS MANAGEMENT MEET INCREASINGLY COMPLEX CHALLENGES   In today's rapidly changing data center environments, pressure to control costs and meet ever-shorter timeframes are complicated by a worsening shortage of information services professionals. The resulting challenges require new, more efficient and effective approaches. Increasingly, management has turned to contractors, both independents and those provided through outsourcing companies. In some cases, the number of contract people now equals or even exceeds the number of the full-time employees.   CONTRACT PROGRAMMING OR WARRANTED SOLUTIONS WHAT'S THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU?   The data processing field has evolved from corporate environments staffed with only full-time employees to data centers in which contract programmers and other independent or third part workers may outnumber a company's traditional staff. Reasons for the increasing trend to contracting talent include the growing, worldwide shortage of data processing people and the variable nature of workload. In addition, with productivity and immediate profit concerns, managers can bring in people to meet specific, short-term needs and, then, shrink overhead back to operating levels. Unfortunately, desired benefits from using contract help - greater flexibility, efficiency and cost control - are not being realized. Unfortunately, some information services managers still view and treat contract people as they do traditional employees. They require contract people to follow the same procedures as traditional employees. This wastes valuable time on non-productive activities. Having them use company facilities and equipment prevents potential savings from being enjoyed. Adding more people adds management responsibilities. What's worse asking contract people to 'punch the clock' promotes inefficiency. Contract professionals should be viewed and treated differently from traditional employees - and required to meet more demanding standards. When they do, it produces better results, improves efficiency and increases economics. What should be important is that people are exceptionally productive, not just that they are putting in hours, which encourages inefficiency. Contract people and contracting firms must be professional and responsible, able to manage themselves and deliver solutions that work - on an agreed-upon schedule, at an agreed-upon cost. Contracting for delivery of solutions that work rewards outstanding performance and high productivity. It attracts the 'best in the business' - people who know what to do, how to do it well, and who are confident in their abilities to perform. All IS managers would love to have top-flight pros working for them. But, to attract and keep them, they must be treated like racehorses, not plow horses. Contracting for solutions rather than hours worked rewards those who work smarter and faster rather than working longer. Firms and IT professionals who can deliver on what they promise will make a lot of money, but projects will be completed sooner and cost clients less! That's a desirable 'win-win' situation.