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Software for a superfilter Open Text delivers the ultimate in high-tech applications for information junkies. It makes Intranet software that allows people to find information on any topic, from anywhere in the world; it also lets users store vast amounts of information, collaborate on projects efficiently, and share their knowledge with private and corporate networks that use the Internet. Open Text Index, the company's primary product, sorts information on the Web by indexing every word on a page instead of only key words. The company's big-name clients include IBM, AT&T and the BBC. A sieve for the ocean The firm was founded by computer scientist Tim Bray and two of his colleagues from the University of Waterloo. In 1987 they began working on an electronic system to store and catalog the Oxford English Dictionary, which they completed in 1989. They launched the company in 1991. Its flagship product was a text-searching application for document retrieval. Bray soon found that niche too small, so in 1994, he set the company's sights on developing organizational software for the World Wide Web. In 1995, the company introduced Open Text Index, an application thorough enough to apply to the vast amount of data on the Internet. Working from the outside in Later that year the firm decided to target business consumers by applying its indexing technology to project management software for corporate intranets. Having finally found the perfect niche, Open Text chose to cement its place in the market by acquiring competitors. It bought software makers Internet Anywhere, and Intunix, which had developed an information search product that was combined with Open Text 5 for PC hard drive and CD-ROM searches. With the purchase of a company called Odesta came ownership of the remarkably successful Livelink software, as well as a number of strategic partnerships with information technology firms. The Livelink application is now used on OT's "Livelink Pinstripe" site - a search tool targeted to business users. It makes information gathering more efficient, as it only indexes sites of use to businesspeople. Upward and onward OpenText went public in 1996, and the next year it forged an agreement to bundle Livelink with Netscape's SuiteSpot server software. It also worked jointly with Hewlett-Packard to develop a Web-based intranet application for network PCs. In summer 1998, the firm acquired software maker Information Dimensions, Inc.--its ninth acquisition. IDI software is used to manage internal corporate data and communications, like e-mail and scheduling systems. The merger gave Open Text a much larger presence in Europe and a combined 42.7 percent market share in the worldwide enterprise-document market. Growth in 1998 was further promoted by big account wins from blue chip clients including CVS drug stores and computer maker Silicon Graphics. In 1999, the company acquired Canadian software maker Lava Systems; it purchased PSSoftware Solutions to augment its records management; it formed an alliance with J.D. Edwards; and it purchased a stake in Communities.com, a producer of instant messaging and conferencing applications. Tragedy averted Despite its numerous acquisitions, after an unsuccessful hostile takeover bid of rival PC Docs, a $170 million lawsuit filed by competitor NetSys Technology Group, and poor financial reports in late-1999, Open Text's unbridled success appeared to be over. Rumors of its imminent takeover spread. However, the company's 1999 annual report and subsequent quarter reports demonstrated a significant recovery, and in April 2000, Open Text won its arbitration with NetSys. The company had charged Open Text with breach of contract and with negligent misrepresentation. In February 2000, the unveiling of two new Open Text programs--myLiveLink and b2bScene.com--resulted in soaring stock prices. Other 2000 accomplishments included an alliance with fellow Waterloo resident Research in Motion Ltd.; a pact with Euopean Internet provider KPNQwest; and a partnership with Cabrian Resources' ServicePoint, an e-business site.
Current job openings are posted in the Career Opportunities section of the OpenText web site. The company also recruits at job fairs and on college campuses. To apply for a position, include the job title along with your resume and cover letter. If you are applying for more than one position, list all of the appropriate job titles in your cover letter. Resumes may be faxed or sent by regular mail to the Human Resources department at either office listed above. You can also e-mail it in Microsoft Word, ASCII or HTML format to careers@opentext.com. The Human Resources department does not accept phone calls. Sources say, there are usually more positions open than there are listed, so send a resume even if you don't see the perfect description on the site. Interviews are quite relaxed but sometimes unusually long. One employee reports meeting with six people in three interviews before receiving an offer. In general though, candidates must only endure two rounds.
The OpenText HQ is set in idyllic surroundings, so on lunch breaks, employees get to stroll through a Japanese garden complete with ponds, ducks, swans, and a walking trail. It's not surprising that despite the fast-moving atmosphere, work doesn't feel like a grind. Instead, it's a very flexible environment and the company is rapidly expanding, so things are quite exciting right now. Sources say "Open Text is a very virtual company," and note that "it's kind of hard to have a corporate culture when we are so spread out." Employees in different offices communicate a great deal via conference calls and e-mail. In addition, many in programming and development telecommute or work on their own flex-time schedules. Workers who go to the office every day get along well, but most aren't interested in socializing too much after hours. There's no dress code unless you are regularly meeting with customers, and many employees wear shorts in the summer. "Salaries are satisfactory, sources say, you can afford to have a social life." And they have plenty of time to enjoy themselves, since most departments don't require much overtime. There are quite a few minority employees and a bunch of women across the board. The employees are highly intelligent, top notch programmers, and the work is not stressful so much as it is fast-paced. You have to be bright and very good at what you do, said one insider, otherwise people are not going to have patience with you. In addition to non-matching 401(k) and medical coverage, employees benefit from good stock option and stock purchase plans. There are always some growing pains with a fast growing company in a highly competitive field, but they have not been unmanageable.
Beth Tarter Human Resources, Open Text Inc.1 2201 South Waukegan Road, Suite 300 Bannockburn IL 60015 847-267-9332
b2bScene.com;Internet Anywhere;Latitude Web Server;Livelink;myLiveLink;Open Text 5;PC Search
America Online;Compuserve;Digital Equipment;Excite;IBM;Interleaf;Lotus;Microsoft;Netscape;Novell;Oracle;PC DOCS More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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