The holidays are behind us and the year is almost out, and I couldn't stay away from the office or work for any appreciable time, and was in fact chided for my poor blackberry habits at the dinner table. But the good news is I wasn't the only one working over the holidays, and as a result we are in the process of establishing some very exciting relationships that bolster and amplify the Jistik saas model and message, as well as Jistik.EE. Stay tuned to this page for more detail as it becomes publicly available...

Jistik CRE launched November 1, and the response to our ideas and methods surrounding chargeback and deduction management has been overwhelming. Our push into the apparel sector has been and continues to be effective, and we are well ahead of our sales and marketing estimates. We are tentatively approaching other sectors where we are able to develop relevant partnerships, and where the placement of our IP warrants. All in all I am pleased with our success thus far, and would like to take a moment to thank a few of the silent contributors to Blackline Technologies and Jistik; those who gave of their time and experience, and recognized our potential early on. Unlike Senator Mitchell I won’t name names, but suffice to say your contributions were a critical part of our critical first year in business and the launch of Jistik – thank you.

So the year is winding down, and we are looking forward to a few days of forced R&R. A little time off will do us all good, and pay dividends in the perspective a little time offers. I mentioned to a colleague the other day, how I was genuinely enjoying my job and the pace of the company, and that it was really the first time I felt that way. It was a surprising revelation to hear from my own lips; because finally, despite the pressure, despite the over-commitments, despite the ragged nature of my schedule and the almost complete lack of sleep, I am really having fun.

I am proud of the work we have accomplished on Jistik, and the market seems to be smiling back at me, and that makes it worthwhile. We have produced a real solution to an expensive problem, and we handle it with ease. So to end this entry on a cheerful holiday note… Blackline Technologies and Jistik wish you the joy of family, the gift of friends and the best of everything in 2008.

Its very nice to see things taking shape. Product launch is coming around nicely, the little bits and pieces are being attended to, and we've managed to attract some very talented individuals to put some time into whats now branded as Jistik CRE (Chargeback Recovery Environment). But far and away the real gas of birthing an early stage software company aint the flurry of email and phone calls that document the progress, and its not even the reception we're getting from the market (though believe me, that helps a great deal), but the genuine kick I right between my funny bone and that soft spot beneath my heart, from seeing the progress in the product and the website; having the opportunity to poke around - to make myself feel at home. And I have to say it feels good, it feels right.

So I hope you take the time to poke around as well, learn a little something about Jistik and the CRE, and the approach we take toward gaining your business, and our commitment to customer support. We're a company of devoted individuals, and while we believe we've created something special with Jistik CRE, we'd love to hear your thoughts too. Drop me a line anytime.

Today I am overjoyed - I can smell the launch, and all the hard work is paying off. All the days and nights of recording lists, the endless, endless meetings, the planning, the traveling, the lawyers, the accountants, and the people and the contractors who never showed up, the setbacks and the jumpstarts, all those places where others have stumbled - have all faded away into the long sunset. The launch of Jistik is now only days away, and we at Blackline Technologies are obviously very excited.