Mountain View, CA - "I'll be honest with you - I'm mad as hell," shouted G. Larry Tarter, CFO of Silicon Valley e-tailor Compuclick moments before scratching his fingernails down the length of an oversized chalkboard in the company's executive conference room. "These cost cutting Avaya applications are the single biggest threat to our long term survivability."

After a soothing cup of warm milk, Mr. Tarter continued. "Listen, Avaya sold me a bill of goods. I was told that we would save money utilizing their IP Telephony and Call Center applications. I was never - and I mean NEVER - told that we'd save bazillions of dollars. I'm trying to run a business here."

CompuClick, a leading global supplier of computer memory devices, was established in 1988 and now has 2500 employees across 22 offices worldwide. Since installing a centralized Avaya Communication Manager system in 2006, along with several contact center applications, CompuClick revenues have soared while costs have been trimmed exponentially.

Andrew Sprinter, the firm's IT Director, stands behind his decision to go with Avaya. "I guess I'm old school, increase productivity and profits. I feel bad that G. Larry is so worked up over this."

According to Sprinter, his call center agents took pause last week to celebrate a 65% increase in January sales over last year. "It was an amazing moment, 500 people applauding each other, some with tears in their eyes. It was then," said Sprinter, that G. Larry Tarter burst into the room and defiantly poured an entire 12 ounce can of Fresca onto the sales floor. "He never uttered a single word. Just bowed when he was done and walked out."

G. Larry Tarter phoned my office the day after the interview to apologize. "Hey listen, I don't live in a cave. I know that 'profit' is the big buzz word in business these days. Profit this, profit that, La La La. But what am I supposed to do with all this extra taxable revenue? Anybody think of that? I don't know anymore. (long pause) Plus I never learned to dance. I see these guys on that TV Show 'Who Wants to Dance' or whatever it's called. It practically kills me I get so jealous."

Ken Apperson reporting