MetaPro Systems Inc.

Contract Professional magazine, a trade journal for software consultants and contractor has named Bob Avallone, President & Founder of MetaPro Systems Inc. as Contractor of the Year for 2000. Bob was named Contractor of the Month in May 2000. Bob was then voted contractor of the year in the December 2000 issue by the selection committee. Following are excerpts from the interview. Introduction and questions by David Enders.

A desire for continuous improvement, a little self-sacrifice, a commitment to professionalism, and the willingness to risk the short-term windfall for long-term professional integrity. Who better exemplifies the qualities of the professional IT contractor than Contract Professional All Star of the Year Bob Avallone? Like thousands of other computer scientists over the last decade, the independent contractor from Lexington, Mass., reinvented himself in response to a technological revolution that laid to waste the old business models. These technological revolutionaries were at the forefront of the silent struggle for a better way to work, and, for them, every day is Independence Day. Avallone had this to say about his chosen profession:

How do you keep your IT skills up to date?

In 1995,1 took an extensive program in client/server development. Since then I continue to try to keep up to date by attending user group meetings and seminars.

What project are you working on currently?

I am just starting an exciting new project. I will he managing the release process for a major Internet company. The first phase will be to organize and simplify the process. The next phase will be to "code myself out of a job" by creating tools to automate the process.

What is your best tip in developing "user-friendly" business applications?

Put yourself in the shoes of the user. We are all users of computer software as well as developers. Develop an application that you would like to use. You can also gain insight by listening to user feedback.

How important is professional involvement for IT contractors (through technical and business associations, user groups, etc.)?

Very important. I try to belong to as many groups as I can and participate as much as I can. I try to participate in three different kinds of groups. There are the peer groups such as the ICCA, non-peer groups like the Chamber of Commerce, and technical user groups such as the Visual Basic Professional User Group. The key to success in our field is contacts. These groups can help contractors make contacts to find work directly or indirectly as well as people to subcontract or perform other services. We also gain education in the technical, business, and marketing areas.

What are your long-term goals for your company, MetaPro Systems?

I hope to gain more clients through direct contacts and less through third-party contacts. I now have a mix of both. I hope to do more with subcontractors and possibly have a few employees.