Macros and Office Automation Consulting

My consulting practice is limited specifically to macro and office automation using WordPerfect and Microsoft Word. I offer a variety of macro consulting and training services, molded to fit your needs, budget, and personnel requirements. My clients (see the partial list below) include software companies, law offices, government agencies, and other WordPerfect consultants.

Highlights:
Expertise
Types of macros
Levels of macro development assistance
Fees
List of clients
Contact Information

What Special Expertise Do You Have?
I "wrote the book" on WordPerfect macros, and am considered one of the world's foremost authorities on the subject of macros and office automation. My WordPerfect books, including the best-selling WordPerfect 5.1 Macros and Templates, are used by tens of thousands of companies and individuals worldwide.

I've also been a Contributing Editor to WordPerfect for Windows Magazine; I've published an electronic newsletter on advanced WordPerfect for Windows topics; and I am the founder of the WordPerfect Universe Web site. And, I've written "white papers" on various WordPerfect and Word macro-related topics for Corel, Microsoft, Novell, and others.

What Kind of Macros Can You Do For Us?
Here are just a few of the kinds of macros that may help you increase office efficiency:

• Automated document assembly: click the mouse to produce finished documents.
• Correspondence construction kits: Create letters, memos, and envelopes in record time.
• Non-proprietary document management: keep track of your documents.
• Document construction "helpers": speed up document preparation with automated tools.
• Database integration: fetch data from your database for automatic insertion into documents.
• Customized menu systems: quickly choose common tasks from a speed menu.
• Improved document templates: enjoy more robust document templates.
• Client/matter database: painlessly insert client and matter information into documents.

What Are The Ways You Can Help Us?
I can provide help to you and your firm on a number of different levels, depending on your needs and budget.

Macro System Development "Sage"
Suppose you merely want to a push in the right direction, and do most all the programming work yourself. In these cases, I am available on an on-call "retainer" basis, fielding questions and providing working examples as required.

Turnkey Macro System Development
Some clients don't want to bother with planning, writing, and debugging a macro system, especially if the system is a complex one. I can develop full and complete "turnkey" macro systems, from planning to installation to maintenance. In this way, the macro system is handled much like a commercial software package. This approach is ideal if you lack the in-house personnel to write and maintain macros.

Macro Training
Convenient in-house macro training is available at your site. Casses can be one-on-one, or a class/seminar setting (fewer than 12 students highly recommended). Macro training includes working samples, hand-outs, and basic documentation. The curriculum can be adjusted to fit your needs. See the the fees schedule for more information.

Macro Conversion: WordPerfect to Word
Some offices are converting from one version of WordPerfect or Word, or between WordPerfect and Microsoft Word for Windows. I can help in the conversion of WordPerfect macros to Word for Windows, to/from of these versions:

Who Does the Work?
Unlike some consultants, I do not run a "sweat shop" of coders to produce macros and office automation applications. All projects accepted by me are done personally by me. Because of this personal attention, you are assured of a better end-product. But it also means that I may not be immediately available for all jobs. Please call, fax, or send e-mail to inquire about availability. Be sure to indicate the approximate size of the job. "Rush" jobs are not possible because of my ongoing commitments with other clients.

How Much Do You Charge?
Please see the fees schedule for more information.

For macro consulting: Projects under 16 hours are billed on an hourly basis. Larger jobs are done on a per-hour or per-day basis, with mutually agreeable payment milestones or schedules. There is a one day minimum for all projects.

For "sage" retainer: Rates are billed on an hourly basis, with a four-hour minimum. Prepayment is required.

What About Estimates?
Basic non-binding estimates are happily and freely given, but most larger jobs (spanning more than about 16 hours) may require a more exact estimate of time. In such cases, I may recommend a short feasibility study where the project, and all its various elements, are evaluated. There is an hourly charge for this feasibility study. This charge depends on the amount of material that must be evaluated in order to provide an accurate estimate.

Who Owns the Work When You're Done?
You do. I don't charge you one amount for the work, and another so you can own what you already paid me for. You have full and complete ownership of macro systems I develop for you, and can resell, license, or give away copies without further compensation to me. (Exception: I do retain non-exclusive rights to certain reusable routines used in many of the macros I write. These routines save me time and save you money.)

Will You Work at My Office?
Most work can be conducted at my place of business in my office near beautiful San Diego, California. This is cheaper for you and more convenient for me. But as needs dictate, I am available for short-term travel to your office, for planning, developing, executing, and testing the macro systems. Because of on-going commitments with other clients, long-term contract work (two weeks or more at a time) at your place of business is not offered.

Who Are Some of Your Clients?
A partial list of current and past clients include the following companies and organizations.

Software Companies

• WordPerfect Corp
• Corel Corp.
• Microsoft Corp.
• Novell
• Borland International
• Adobe Systems
• Avery-Dennison
• Lawgic
• Digital Equipment Corp (DEC)

Law Offices

• Latham & Watkins
• Fulbright & Jaworksi
• Sullivan and Cromwell
• Holland & Knight
• Hager & Dowling
• Knobbe, Martens, Olson and Bear
• Peltz & Walker

Government Offices

• New Jersey Department of Justice
• United States International Trade Commission
• Internal Revenue Service
• Texas Office of the Attorney General
• Various other departments of the US Government
• International Monetary Fund
• Montana State Legislature
• Indiana State Legislature

Consulting and Software Systems Companies

• LexTech Inc.
• BDM International, Inc.
• Software Studios

Others

• Technicolor
• Cinetyp Inc.
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
• Biodynamic Research Corporation

How Do I Contact You?
I can be reached by e-mail or regular mail:

Gordon McComb
Gordon McComb Automation Masters
P.O.Box 5821
Oceanside, CA 92056