FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Homepage: www.artzat.com
What are your areas of expertise?
What is the best way to contact Artzat Consulting?
How can you consult in such diverse situations?
What distinguishes Artzat Consulting from similar firms?
How can you work for Artzat and TEST Inc. at the same time?
Can you be retained on contingency?
Is an engagement contract required?
Can you represent me at the Patent Office?
Is expert witness work privileged?
Are your services limited to engineering technology?
What happened to the references on the web site?
What are your areas of expertise?
Our professional experience includes several overlapping technologies: computerized devices and equipment, industrial controls, automation, computer hardware and software, electronics, electrical & electronic engineering, and the commercial wrappers that transform technology into business.
What is the best way to contact Artzat Consulting?
A brief email describing your situation is the surest way to get a prompt response. Be sure to include your contact information. You can also try the office phone at 504-837-3090 (Central Time), but you will likely reach voice mail. Feel free to try any of the other numbers listed on the contacts page.
If you need quick help with a special situation, consider our Quick Response service for results in hours instead of days.
How can you consult in such diverse situations?
Expert work often focuses on very specific technical details that are common among widely varying circumstances. Therefore, an expert in a specific technology can accommodate a variety of generalized situations that require specific technical expertise. A fictitious example would involve a client who thinks he needs a printing press expert when he actually needs an expert on microcomputer programming. This might be because the matter involves only the computer control portion of the printing press that is independent of the actual printing technology on which the expert may have little or no expertise.
What distinguishes Artzat Consulting from similar firms?
Artzat Consulting works closely with a small client base, providing fast and personal service when it's most needed. We have proven technical and commercial competence within specific areas of expertise. Clients are often pleasantly surprised by our performance, especially after disappointments from less reliable consultants. We're already familiar with Daubert, Graham, and Markman. We have never failed a client. Our service is always valuable, even when our opinion hinders a client's position. Our references are solid, our fees are competitive, and our reputation is untarnished. And we're always anxious to discuss the next project, even if our only service is to recommend a more appropriate consultant.
How can you work for Artzat and TEST Inc. at the same time?
I work outside of TEST Automation & Controls (TEST Inc) (www.test-us.com) in the same manner that a college professor or government employee consults outside of their normal employment. My 25+ years of experience with TEST enhances my consulting capability, while my outside consulting strengthens my corporate skills. Of course, I carefully avoid conflicts of interest in both arenas, and arrange my schedule to accommodate all prior commitments. Here more about this in my audio introduction.
How do we get started?
Most cases begin with a chat on the phone to discuss your situation. If we're a potential fit, more details will be requested to further evaluate our suitability. We'll review this material to 1) make certain there's a good fit, 2) estimate anticipated time and costs, for the initial phase and 3) prepare a contract and retainer invoice. Work will commence immediately after the contract and retainer are in place.
Alternately, quick assistance without a contract or retainer can be provided through our Quick Response service if you need results in hours rather than days.
What is a "P.E."?
A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (also referred to as a "Registered Engineer") is someone who meets the education and experience requirements to legally offer engineering services to the public. Legal requirements vary slightly among the states, although most offer reciprocity or comity with other states. Written tests are required (parts of which include a lot of math), and many states also require continuing education. Arthur Zatarain is registered as an Electrical Engineer in Louisiana, Alabama, California, and Alaska, and also as a Control Systems Engineer in Louisiana. Note that registration in any particular state is not usually required when providing expert consulting services unless the matter pertains specifically to aspects of that state's professional registration..
Can you be retained on contingency?
No. All consulting services are provided by the hour, with a pre-paid retainer to cover anticipated charges. This is done for the usual commercial concerns as well as to protect the validity and sincerity of the consultant's opinions which are never tied to the outcome of any proceedings.
Is an engagement contract required?
Yes. It is not a complicated document, but it does outline the specific commercial and technical responsibilities of both the client and the consultant. Also, some work in California requires an additional disclosure document to outline the technical and commercial responsibilities for each specific project.
However, quick help without a contract or retainer can be provided through our Quick Response service if you need results in hours rather than days.
Can you prepare patents and/or represent me at the Patent Office?
Artzat Consulting does not provide the services of a patent agent or attorney. Those professionals are specially trained in patent preparation and prosecution. The consultant's value as a technical expert supports the underlying technology of the patent. In patent parlance, the consultant is the one "skilled in the art." Our "art" includes industrial controls, computers, automation, and electrical/electronic engineering. The attorney's skill is in patent preparation, prosecution, and defense, regardless of what is included in a patent.
Is expert witness work privileged?
The work performed by a testifying expert witness is usually subject to discovery during litigation. Therefore, all communication with a client (that is not otherwise protected) can be seen by any authorized party. However, such disclosure applies only to consulting provided as a testifying expert witness. Any work performed outside of a legal setting, or as an investigative expert, is generally protected.
Are your services limited to engineering technology?
Although technology is usually involved, we can assist clients with the commercial and marketing aspects of a technical product or business. We can help an investor evaluate a company's technology in terms of engineering, operations, manufacturing, support, marketing, and migration to newer technologies and processes. And we can help negotiate those contracts that are waiting on the table as well as those which have fallen apart. We are fluent in the language of Industry. And, more importantly, we speak it in plain English.
What is Computer Forensics?
Computer Forensics is the art and science of retrieving, validating, and analyzing information related to a computerized device. Artzat Consulting has certified training, software, and equipment to properly handle electronic data according to accepted forensic practices. These resources are important for situations involving computer damage, fraud, misuse, and data recovery, and are also useful for any matter involving computerized information. Artzat's Computer Forensics capability is limited to processing and validation of previously discovered data. Artzat Consulting does not offer "first responder" or "data mining" services which are more efficiently provided by firms with specialized equipment.
What happened to the references on your web site?
To minimize unnecessary intrusions, Artzat Consulting no longer provides references on its web site. The Internet has too many nosey people with too much spare time and too little tact. Several comments from former clients can be found on the references page. A specific list of references can be supplied to match your needs after we have decided that there's a good fit.
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April 09, 2007