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Take the Jargon quiz

Match the boilerplate to the company

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 18, 2005

Answers: 1:C; 2:D; 3:A; 4:B.

Boilerplates - the one-paragraph self-descriptions found at the end of corporate news releases - offer companies a chance to tell the world exactly what they do for a living.

But some boilerplates are anything but clear, as the following local examples will show:

Company No. 1 "provides best-in-class, single-source risk mitigation and business process solutions for enterprise clients. Incorporating state-of-the-art technology, proprietary systems and data resources, (Company No. 1) is a leading provider of employment background screening, drug-free workplace programs and other occupational health testing, corporate tax consulting services, resident screening, motor vehicle records, transportation credit reporting, insurance fraud investigations, computer forensics, data recovery, electronic discovery and supply chain security consulting. (Company No. 1) ranks among the top three companies in all of its major business lines."

Company No. 2 "provides a broad family of IP-based Broadband Access solutions, including BLCs, MSANs, DSLAMs, Ethernet in the First Mile bonded solutions, IADs, and CPE. (Company No. 2's) products support both residential triple play solutions and business class bonded G.shdsl, ADSL2+, and T1/E1 solutions for LAN extension and cell site data backhaul applications. (Company No. 2's) solutions are designed to enhance carrier revenue streams with full support for Multimedia Traffic Management (MTM) and to lower carrier operational expenses through Operational Intelligence (OpIQ)."

Company No. 3 "was founded 20 years ago based on the premise that targeting communications based on actual purchase behavior would generate more effective consumer response. Today, (Company No. 3) combines unparalleled insight into consumer behavior with dynamic consumer access. This combination of insight and access provides marketers with the ability to execute behavior-based marketing programs, ensuring that the right consumer receives the right message at exactly the right time. (Company No. 3) offers an array of behavior-based promotional messaging, loyalty programs and direct-to-patient information."

Company No. 4 "is a leading provider of mission-critical technology services to wireless telecommunications companies worldwide. (Company No. 4) solutions simplify technology complexities by integrating disparate carriers' systems and networks in order to provide seamless global voice and data communications to wireless subscribers. Carriers depend on (Company No. 4's) integrated suite of services to solve their most complex technology challenges and to facilitate the rapid deployment of next generation wireless services. (Company No. 4) provides services to over 300 telecommunications carriers in approximately 40 countries . . ."

A. Catalina Marketing Corp., St. Petersburg. (Thumbnail: offers retailers the ability to issue in-store coupons geared toward a consumer's individual tastes.)

B. Syniverse Holdings Inc., Tampa. (Thumbnail: makes equipment wireless companies use to provide "roaming" service to cell phone users.)

C. First Advantage Corp., St. Petersburg. (Thumbnail: helps businesses screen job applicants and employees by doing background checks.)

D. Paradyne Networks Inc.*, Largo. (Thumbnail: makes equipment for providers of high-speed Internet service.)

[Last modified July 16, 2005, 18:17:02]