NexVue is unusual in that a significant portion of business comes from fixed-fee engagements, which are generally considered risky, because firms can easily find themselves pouring more hours than planned into an engagement. But Schwartz says that his firm's expertise helps take the risk out. Whatever the number, I know it's going to be less. NexVue has used fixed fees almost exclusively for data conversions for several years, and about 90 percent of development projects are priced the same way. However, on implementation, fixed-fee quotes represent only about 50 percent of all engagements.
Business remains strong.
He admits that's an anomaly. But with 30 to 40 percent of clients already involved in the Internet, he expects that the demand for services will stay strong and that NexVue can continue to be a player. Companies that can't master the geographic reach are those that are often the first to consider selling out to someone larger. Aston-IT hit the reseller market earlier this year buying seven Navision resellers and a sales and marketing company. In June, it acquired eight more resellers, primarily Navision oriented.