News and Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Steve Pinchotti
Altum, Inc. (www.altum.com)
703-675-3606
steve.pinchotti@altum.com

Ken Fang, CEO of Altum, Inc. is Profiled by Deloitte Technology Fast 500

Reston, VA March 1, 2004 - Ken Fang, Altum, Inc.'s President and CEO was interviewed by Deloitte and Touche. His profile was published on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 website (http://www.public.deloitte.com/fast500/ceo_archive/kFang_altum.asp).

Q: What is your definition of success and has your company achieved it?

A: Our company's vision is to do for custom software development, what Dell did for the personal computer in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide custom software solutions for the same price as regular off-the-shelf products. We are getting closer to this goal every day.

However, merely achieving goals is not what makes a company successful; the path you choose to accomplish them is equally important. As a result, we have developed a strong corporate culture that is focused on the employees and on work/life balance, recognizing that while work does define a large part of a person, it is but a small part in the context of that person's entire life.

Our employees are happy and passionate about what they do. So, from the cultural standpoint, we have been very successful.

Q: To what do you attribute your company's Fast 500 achievement?

A: Our people, a strong management team, and great customers. Altum is primarily a services business . what is really important is the desire to talk to our customers and to help them. Our people have been very successful in doing this and, consequently, have been able to build great relationships with the customers.

Q: What was your biggest hurdle?

A: Growing pains. Although our growth has not been astronomical (we have only grown to twenty employees in the last six years; and most of that growth happened in the first three years), we spent the past three years stabilizing and getting solid infrastructure and processes in place. We have also had to deal with a typical startup challenge-hiring people who are your friends and having them grow into management roles, and all that it entails. We have now successfully defined roles and practices, but this has also been our biggest hurdle.

Q: What company or CEO achievement are you most proud of?

A: I'm proud of our culture and our people. Our employees sincerely care about each other and about the company's success, and are passionate about their work. Everybody is willing to help out and support the company through good times and bad.

Q: If you could start over, what would you do differently?

A: I don't think we were prepared for everything that goes into growing a company, from long hours to the chaotic demands of a changing company. I would let people know what was expected of them so they are better prepared.

I would also focus on starting with a strong financial model.

Q: In retrospect, what piece of knowledge would you have most wanted when you started?

A: How do you identify and cultivate leadership? How do you hire the right people for the right job, the very first time? If you could somehow predict who would do well and hire those people, we would have some unbelievably successful organizations.

Q: Who has influenced you the most during your career growth?

A: My wife, Danielle, who is a sounding board for all the difficult decisions I need to make, and my COO, Steve Pinchotti, who has helped me shape this organization and make it successful.

Q: If there were a history book of technology, do you think your company deserves a mention? Why?

A: I do. I believe we have started a revolution by changing the norm of what is expected from a software development company. The statistics show that almost 30 percent of software projects get canceled and half of them go over budget. Only 15 percent are finished on time and on budget. We have a chance to change this. We penalize ourselves harshly every time we are unable to complete projects on time. Many times, if we run over budget, we don't charge our client. We are not perfect, but we are working on this and we will get there soon.

Q: How do you achieve balance in your life . . . or do you?

A: I do. Work/Life balance is one of our core values. Our success rests on this flexibility. Through technology, we are able to provide facilities that allow our people to do administrative work from home. They don't have to stay late in the office or battle long commutes when not required. This can, however, be a dual-edged sword; it takes discipline to make this work.

I love my work and can work from anywhere and everywhere. But to ensure that I lead a balanced life, I schedule time with my family. When I get home, I leave my work at the office and enjoy my time with my family.

About Altum, Inc.

Altum’s solutions help organizations monitor, measure, analyze, and improve their business by giving them control over their data. We are a professional software development and consulting firm that builds solutions that enable users to quickly access, analyze, and make informed decisions from the data locked up in corporate data sources. Our systems focus on results by using a proven and robust query and reporting framework. Our customers are delighted by cost-effective, high quality software solutions delivered on-time, on-budget, and with unparalleled customer service.

Altum’s software products include: AltumGRS™, a Grants Reporting System; AltumQR™, a Query and Reporting tool; AltumATS™ , an Advanced Text Search engine; AltumPDT™, a Professional Development Tool for employee evaluations and professional development; and AltumMedigent™, a robust content management system and online collaboration tool.

Altum is proud to be named to Deloitte’s prestigious Technology Fast 50 Program for Virginia two years in a row. In both 2003 and 2004, Altum was recognized as one of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Virginia as well as one of the fastest 500 growing technology companies in North America (www.fast500.com).

Founded in 1997, Altum is a privately held corporation headquartered in Reston, VA; just outside Washington, D.C. with an additional location in Burlington, Vermont.


>> view news/events