If you have answered Yes to any of these questions, then IBM's jStart Program may be able to help.

IBM: Taking the Mystery Out of New Technologies To help IBM customers gain the critical experience they need using emerging and established technologies, IBM has created the 'jStart' (jump-start) Program. Technologies such as XML, Java, Pervasive Computing and Enterprise JavaBeans have matured and are now being used by hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies to perform mission critical transactions. The jStart Program helps IBM customers get started on an application through a unique partnership that brings the right combination of tools, skills, and resources together for the rapid deployment of production applications.

The IBM jStart Program: Using a proven 5 step engagement model, the jStart team can work with you to identify and qualify a project. A key criteria to your participation in this program is that you are willing to be a reference account for the jStart Program and IBM. The proven 5 Step Engagement Model has been used by Companies such as: Sabre Group, Eddie Bauer, Ralston Purina, JB Hunt, General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Qualcomm, Credit Agricole, and many more. Please refer to http://www.ibm.com/developer/java or http://www.ibm.com/developer/xml for additional details and case studies.

The jStart Target Audience: As Geoffrey A. Moore describes in his book Crossing the Chasm, the Technology Adoption Life Cycle models the market penetration of any new technology in terms of a progression in the types of consumers the technology attracts throughout its useful life.

The two key groups in the life cycle model are the Early Adopters and the Early Majority. For any emerging technology to experience a complete trip through the life cycle it must successfully transition from the Early Adopters to the Early Majority. The objective of the jStart Program is to facilitate that transition by focusing on the audience comprised of the Early Adopters and the Early Majority.

The Benefits of jStart:

Improved Skills Through Mentoring. Rapid and accelerated skills development, knowledge transfer from IBM OO design and architecture (IGS and Product Service Specialists) experts to your staff. Partnering through education, IBM mentors your team for continued success.

Minimized Risk. The proven 5 step engagement process lowers the risk of development for your project. This process has been effectively and efficiently used by countless IBM customers and is a means towards achieving a successful application.

Business Focused. The jStart Program allows you to focus on meeting business objectives and the delivery of the application instead of development tool feature/function comparisons.

Start Small and Grow Fast. The jStart Program has allowed IBM customers to "get a foot in the door" with e-business applications. Taking advantage of new technologies, including Java, XML and EJB these customers have realized the benefits of this multi-platform development environment for applications such as Extranet-based Supply Chains, Internet Customer Care and Self Service, as well as Financial and Accounting.