2004 July/August Issue

JULY/AUGUST 2004
Technology Deployment:
More Complex Than Ever

FEATURES

Help for the Help Desk: IT Support Groups Under Fire
By Stephen J. McCabe
There’s a battle going on, and it’s occurring in a pretty unlikely place in the U.S. leasing industry: the IT support center. On the one hand, the IT team is being charged with responsibility for maintaining acompany’s competitive advantage in an increasingly challenging business environment. On the other, auditors and corporate legal representatives are demanding that any technologies employed by their company comply with an ever-growing list of regulatory requirements. (Ref # TEC0138)

Advancing Technology… Finding New Ways to Meet Today’s Challenges
By Tom Dawson
In today’s customer-centered markets, the ability to make information directly available to customers and partners, without jeopardizing security, is a critical competitive advantage. For any new technology to be worth its considerable demands of time, risk and cost, it must have a positive impact on operational efficiencies and leasing systems must interface in real time with a variety of software programs. (Ref # TEC0139)

Rule-Based Application Development: Alternatives to Consider
By Nelson Lin
When choosing software development tools to create your next enterprise application, consider the various cost factors affecting ROI. If the existing tools do not satisfy all your criteria, code generation technology may serve as an alternative. (Ref # SFP010)

Leasing Technology Today… Could These Be the "Good Old Days?"
By Cameron Krueger
The cyclical nature of the leasing industry affects not only the sales cycle, but also those of us involved in the strategy, systems and technology aspects of running a leasing company. In 2004, could we be in the middle of the modern-day version of the "good old days?" (Ref # TEC0140)

Are You Being Served? Web Services Technology Is Changing the Rules for Buyers
By Andrew Lea
If you're a working citizen of the equipment-leasing world, you'll need to understand what the technology called Web services is all about and what it can do for you. Web services is not only leveling the playing field between the specialized leasing technology providers and the software titans that have recently entered the arena, but it is reshaping the playing field in ways that will radically affect technology buying decisions. (Ref # TEC0141)

Fitch Ratings/QI 2004: ABS Delinquency Directions
By Sara M. Grohl
Fitch Ratings' Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Index fell nine basis points to 1.79% as of March 31, 2004 - the index's lowest point since its inception in December 1997. This drop reflects another quarterly record low for the index, even though moderate delinquency volatility appeared on a monthly level. (Ref # CRD068)

Best of Breed or One-Stop Shop... The Road Best Traveled?
By Steve Lundergan
There is an ongoing debate in the equipment leasing industry regarding the selection of best of breed components from multiple vendors or a single suite from a one-stop shop. Therefore, the question remains - which of the two is the road best traveled? (Ref # GEN020)

Acquisition Trend Will Lead to Fewer, But Mightier Bank Leasing Companies
By this time next year, the Top 10 U.S. Bank Leasing Companies will account for about 80% of the segment's total net assets.
(Ref # BKL007)

COLUMNS

CAREER MOVES
Recommended Summer Reading
By Jim Pawlak
Here are two books that are a must for your summer reading list: BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus, Warner Business Books, $24.95; also check out www.bragbetter.com. (Ref # JBS083)

LEGAL WATCH
State Law Rights Can Defeat the Trustee’s Strong Arm
By Lesley Anne Hawes
A recent bankruptcy court decision from Colorado illustrates an interesting twist on the interplay of the bankruptcy avoidance powers of the trustee or debtor in possession and rights and claims available to a creditor under state or other non-bankruptcy law. (Ref # LGL1028)

DISPATCHES FROM THE TRENCHES
What's All the Noise About Breaching the Peace?
By Kenneth P. Weinberg, Esq.
This issue discusses the possible legal issues encountered by a lessor when a lessee breaches its obligations under a lease and the lessor desires to repossess the leased equipment and sell it to recoup some of its losses. (Ref # LGL1029)