Although the firm experienced local success, international growth was slow. From 1985 to 1989, retailers worldwide seemed unwilling to make the leap to a Windows-based world. The company lost key employees and huddled on the verge of closure. But when retailers opted for a PC-based model, Point of Sale had the goods. From 1989 to 1993, the company, which supplies programs to international food chains, gas stations and other retailers, experienced a 500 percent growth in revenues.
Revenues are a key indicator of a company's chances of going public.
This means the company is not only selling its goods to the early adopters, or the people who rush to buy anything new, but also to conservative corporate buyers who generally avoid products lacking a solid reputation. When an Israeli company crosses the chasm, it heads for Wall Street. With a final round of financing and one or more willing investment banks, the IPO is usually a few months away. The Tel Aviv-based maker of network security software products in February began negotiations with investment bankers and held meetings with Israeli CEOs and CFOs who could help prepare the company for exposure to Wall Street and the whims of unknown investors. But before you go public, you need to feel confident.