MEMO TO BONNIE BAKER FROM JACK POWERS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
5
Document Creation Date: 
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 16, 2013
Sequence Number: 
18
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 4, 1990
Content Type: 
OPEN SOURCE
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PDF icon CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5.pdf338.96 KB
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/16: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5 JUN 06 '90 10:12 IFI_IIIVcS LAB/NY r.1 , 'Date: June 4, 1990 Central Intelligence A ? en From:Jack Powers Interactive Features FOX 4)212-727-8450 Voice+1800-252-5880 Page 1 of 7 De Following up our phone discussion, enclosed are some engagement notes pulled together from several recent client proposals. I've described the components of our consulting services in three parts: the up-front Publishing Production Audit, the Equipment Selection and Vendor Negotiation, and Network Publishing Integration and Training. Although the equipment STAT selection and integration phases depend on the results of the audit. I've provided typical task schedules on three six week grids, and I've even listed some basic price ranges. STAT Two things to keep in mind. Generally these days, we don't see formal Requests for Proposals to vendors as much as applicaiSTAT specific acceptance tests that include sample pages, turnaround requirements and processing benchmarks. A short while back. two federal agencies that had distributed large, detailed RFPs called us to find out why no vendor had responded. In an era in. which few companies even claim to provide total solutions, no sales manager in his right mind will guarantee components he doesn't make any money on. Secondly, clients have asked us to price the integration and training segment in several interesting ways. We can bill by the day ($1,200 for associates, $2,000 for principals), by the workstation (e.g., $1,000 to $1,500 per seat) or by the total cost of the system (30% of the retail price of all network components). We're generally fairly flexible on fee calculation to meet the client's requirements, especially in government. I hope these notes give you a good overview of our service options. If there's anything else you need, call me or fax me later this week. I'll be in Chicago Thursday, but I'll be back in the office Friday morning. Coj1thal1y, Jack Powers INTERACTIVE FEATURES INCORPORATED 281/2 CORNELIA STREET ? NEW YORK NEW YORK 10014 ? FAX 212-727-8450 PHONE 212-645-2285 ? 800-252-5880 monnommoNEMMOMMERN Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved ior Release 2013/08/16 : CIA-RDP1-00036R000100160018-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/16: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5 e.10 Engagement Notes June 4, 1990 Analyzing Electronic Publishing Technology and Management In eight years of consulting on publishing and media technologies, we've developed some standard operating procedures to help us get the most complete information and the broadest perspective on the issues con- fronting client organizations. Although every engagement is unique, there are some basic 0 INITIAL OVERVIEW ilot042ADAYST.ONSITE4t, The first step is the most important, the initial gathering of data upon which we'll be operating. Our two-page Engagement Checklist (attached) is a good outline of the kind of information we generally need, although some of the points may not be germane to an individual engagement. Conversely, sometimes a client has more specific materials?a new busi- ness or equipment proposal, a faulty system, software listings?which are the subject of study. For most engagement, ies important that we have a.clear ranking of work I., in order of importance, a good handle on the volume. (stated in whatever terms are convenient), and a close estimate_of costs---personnel, equip- ment, outside charges, and general overhead. The general management climate of a company also determines the kinds of solution we consider. Often, we schedule one day of on-site data. gathering, with a second clang reserved for,follow-up interviews, For engagements in which the focus is managerial, the two days are often consecutive; for jobs in which we have to investigate technical or marketing issues, we may come back after an investigation period for the follow-up. O LAB ANALYSIS ',2,WEEKS;=NY The process of analyzing the data we collect in our on-site meetings changes based on the needs of the engagement We generally consider management issues first, then technology options, then financial justifica- tions. When possible, well test our assumptions about equipment capabil- ities either through the systems available at the Labor through demon- stration visits to key vendors. If necessary, we'll rank management imple- mentation and technology adaptation and business risks to identify things that can be done right away, things that ought to wait for some new devel- opment, and things that should be avoided like the plague. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/16: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/16: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160018-5 JUN 06 '90 10:13 IFIAWICS_LAB/NY_ CENTRAL 0 DRAFT REPORT PREPARATION *WEEK-fg-NY-4A, INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Engagement Memorandum June 4, 1990 Page 2 We present our findings and recommendations in a report that outlines the assumptions that went into the analysis. Since most publishing opera- tions are in a constant state of change, we make sure that our reasons are fully laid out and our judgements supported. When necessary, we provide spreadsheeted volume calculations and financial justifications on disk so that client managers can run their own numbers based on alternative scenarios. We also present implementation schedules, mendor contact lists& and?when appropriate?disclosure statements identifying vendor forms with whom we have had recent consulting relationships. TYPICAL ENGAGEMENT TIMELINES PUBLISHING PRODUCTION AUDIT EQUIPMEN SELECTIO AND VENDO NEGOTIATIO NETWORK PUBLISHING ? INTEGRATION AND TRAINING Week One Week Two Week Three Week Four Week Five Week Six CM I OVERVIEW LAB ANALysis orzorzairm ? : ARADON ...ts.,?im,.,.. . ? ? . - DRAFT ? ..;44av.mv*IDRAFT Week One Week Two Week Three Week Four Week Five Week Six i