BUSINESS STATUSForecast International is a privately owned, small business incorporated in the State of Connecticut. Financial accounting and reporting procedures are Defense Contract Administration Service (DCAS) approved.
CORPORATE FACILITIESNewtown, CT, Headquarters The company is headquartered in Newtown, CT, where it occupies two buildings comprising some 23,600 square feet of office and production space. The two buildings are interlinked by a special cable and all employees are networked in a state-of-the-art computer intranet. Approximately half of the company staff is comprised of very experienced Analysts and Research Assistants, each of whom specializes in one or more areas of the world Aerospace/Defense, Electronics, or Power Systems Industries. The remainder performs IT computer/software support & maintenance, production support, and facility-operation functions. In addition, the company draws upon a network of off-base independent consultants to provide rapid response to short-term staffing needs, and also employs some additional editorial staffers working worldwide, via the Internet.
CORPORATE BACKGROUNDForecast International was founded in 1973 and has since experienced a pattern of growth, characterized by a series of acquisitions, expansions and facility relocations. In 1989, Forecast International acquired the assets of its then-principal competitor, Defense Marketing Services (DMS), previously owned by Jane’s, Inc., based in Alexandria, Virginia, and headquartered in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, it acquired the publishing rights to two British-owned research firms: London-based Planning Research Systems (PRS) International, and James McArdle & Associates. A recent acquisition (2008) included the assets of Air Track Aeromarketing, which broadened the firm’s data and knowledge bases with regard to world Business Aircraft markets. Company growth has also been facilitated by a series of agreements with other information developers and providers, as well as sales organizations. In 1992, the company developed an early relationship with China’s National Technical Information Development Center, and in 1993, it further established a direct information source in Moscow. These early agreements substantially improved information sourcing from rapidly developing areas. A series of information sharing agreements currently exist with various other information publishers, including the Aviation Week Group of McGraw-Hill, Aviation International News, Turbomachinery International, Journal of Electronic defense, Helicopter Association International, and Vertiflite. Forecast International has also been a long time provider of gas turbine market research to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is directly represented by one its Directors who sits on the Executive Committee of the Aviation Section of the National Transportation Research Board.
APPROACH TO RESEARCHThe keystones of Forecast International's demonstrated success in the market/special research environment are: 1) employing a highly experienced research staff of experts who know how and where to acquire critical information in a timely manner, 2) equipping these individuals with an extensive portfolio of readily accessible, highly reliable resources, and 3) providing strong database/processing and cost-efficient production support systems to streamline the research process. Our analysts are able to draw from a wide variety of resources, which are routinely cross-checked to obtain the latest and most accurate research data. Forecast International’s Analysts have a very high degree of market perspective, gained through industry experience, combined with many years analyzing and forecasting the various markets, and are therefore able to apply this knowledge in the meaningful interpretation of facts and data. The average tenure of Forecast International’s Analysts is approximately 13 years. Some of the sources employed include:
Databases Forecast International has developed a series of unique databases which have been populated over its 30 plus years in business. These proprietary databases are employed in daily research and some are leased for passworded access by carefully screened clients. Intelligence Center Increasingly, Forecast International client’s access company data in Real Time via the company’s Intelligence Center. All published data is processed into the Intelligence Center, as soon screened and approved for distribution, and immediately becomes available 24/7 via the Internet to thousands of clients worldwide, each of whom is provided with passworded access to the data for which it has contracted. Reliability of Real-Time Service FI’s Intelligence Center has maintained an excellent record of reliability and continual service. Company servers are maintained in a climate controlled facility and all data is automatically backed up twice daily, with tapes stored offsite. A mirror image server is maintained in a separate building as a back-up unit for disaster planning. In addition, FI employs specialized software as well as the services of an outside company to monitor the operation of its networks, as well as to protect from inadvertent intrusions. Sales & Marketing In addition to maintaining a Sales & Customer Service Center at its headquarters in the USA, the company maintains a worldwide network of sales firms and company representatives. For a complete listing, please see the “Sales Offices” tab located on the www.forecastinternational.com home page.
SECURITY CLEARANCEFI maintains on its premises an NSA certified Secure Facility and has personnel cleared for participation at virtually all levels of Federal Contract fulfillment.
COMPUTER/SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTSForecast International not only employs state-of-the-art computers and software in all facets of its operations, but maintains a competitive edge through a regular program of staff training to achieve a high productivity level. In-house software experts provide a diverse software programming capability, and also maintain an up-to-date, universal application software environment for both on-site and remote staff members. Graphics Product appeal is enhanced by a variety of graphics and illustrations, presentation/trade show materials, and advertising. Illustration and graphic design are integral elements of the ongoing publication layout and formatting process. The unique artistic ability of FI’s Graphics Department, however, is best illustrated by the aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching custom image designs that the staff is frequently called upon to generate. While used primarily to support FI products, these capabilities are available to clients to meet their specific needs. Hardware Forecast International’s internal Local Area Network (LAN) backbone runs at a speed of 1 Gb per second. The Network topology is a Star configuration using 10/100 Mb workgroup switches. Our two sites are connected via a fiber-optic connection to ensure the utmost reliability. Forecast International's Network is made up of a HP PROLIANT ML 530 system running Novell Netware 5.10 providing File and Print services, and a HP PROLIANT ML 530 G2 system running Microsoft Windows 2003 Server providing SQL services. Our network is completely backed up each night to external DLT media and stored off-site. Remote Access Capabilities are provided using Citrix Metaframe. Forecast International maintains a World Wide Web presence and mail server using HP PROLIANT ML 350 G3 and ML 350 G4 systems, running Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, which are connected to the Internet by means of multiple digital T1 lines. We host numerous dynamic Web sites that employ, among other technologies, ColdFusion MX , Nextpage NXT4, ISAPI, and SQL backend databases. Our primary Web site, forecastinternational..com, also employs e-commerce technology developed using ColdFusion MX and Verisign Merchant services. Our Web sites are developed by our in-house IS department. Data Security Forecast International regularly deploys all critical software updates to protect company systems from worms, viruses and hackers. In addition it employs sophisticated fire-walling and virus detection technologies to eradicate e-mail-borne viruses and to nullify other threats. A multi-tiered approach is employed to detect and eliminate viruses at the e-mail gateway, server and desktop level.
OPEN INVITATIONClients and all other interested parties are invited to visit and tour the Forecast International facilities, located at 22/25 Commerce Road, Newtown, CT 06470 USA. (203) 426-0800 |
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