Mr. Elliott: Premier was formed in 1995 as a privately held company. Today we are a small, public-based entity. Our focus initially was on application and software development as a technology services firm. Over time we transitioned to a full-technology, service-based organization, doing not only consulting but also solution delivery, including architecture, infrastructure and project management-based work. Early on, technology was the driver for us. But as business and the industry changed, we evolved and moved into a service company with a business and technology consulting focus. And today, that's how we are positioned and branded. The difference is that a lot of our work for our customers is generated and delivered from a business perspective, not a pure technology perspective. We deal with them on business issues they are having, problems they are having, and how we can help with solutions or resolutions. Because technology is so integral in almost all businesses today, there could be something that needs to be done from a technology perspective, and we will account for that if needed. But our approach is to target core business processes that are critical to the operations of businesses. Examples of these types of items might be regulatory- and compliance-based work, operational processes or workflow. These are areas that companies look at closely - first, because they have to for compliance reasons, and secondly, to increase efficiencies and help them from a competitive perspective. That's where our focus is today, helping with key business logistics.
TWST: Explain to us why a company would come to you. Walk us through the process.
Mr. Elliott: Well, I believe the reason they would come to us would be for problem resolution or potential enhancement of their business processes. Typically, we're out there, and we're talking with a variety of customers about what they are doing, where they are going, struggles they may be having. And so they would engage us around a specific issue or a process they need to have addressed. A main reason they would come to us is because of our subject matter expertise. We term it "knowledge-based expertise." They want people that have practical experience and expertise that can be applied within their business to help them. I also believe our customers like to work with a company that takes a collaborative approach, and I think that's key.
Our approach will differ from some of our competitors'. An example would be a big four firm. We will collaborate more versus dictate methodology and process to be followed, yet we provide the same type of expertise that a big four firm does.
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