A massive buy contract for a brand new computer gadget linking its a ways-flung global operations could be provided nowadays in Peoria, Illinois by way of Caterpillar, Inc., the development equipment manufacturer.

Bidding competition among integrated computer software and hardware companies is fierce, and ongoing... And for top reason. A record-breaking  million are up for grabs. Million in associated service contracts are also at the table, just waiting to be snapped up for Digital Smile Design in Dubai.

The following is what passed off the day gone by, as pronounced inside the Wall Street Journal...

"...The pinnacle-producing sales rep for Hewlett-Packard, the final in a protracted line of laptop machine sales reps to visit CAT headquarters, strides with a short and confident step into the high-ceilinged, wooden-paneled office of CAT's Chief Financial Officer.

Seated around an oval, darkish-wooden, extraordinarily-polished conference desk are the CFO, his two assistants, the IT branch head, his  assistants and a bevy of lesser known branch heads.

Each one rises with a wane and worn-out smile, and extends a perfunctory handshake to the HP rep.

The CAT execs are pressed for time, and they'd like this assembly to stop even before it begins.

For these harried MBA's and engineers the complete 3 month long purchase system has been a painful workout in perseverance, staying power and patience.

They've listened to income rep after income rep spew limitless superlatives, ensures and performance records that genuinely check the boundaries of credibility.

Nonetheless, they may be eager to choose a machine - if for no different reason than to subsequently move directly to different a long way more urgent subjects.

The HP rep is familiar with this, he is finished his research. He's examine the bio's of all the branch heads, and he is in detail familiar with CAT's purchasing protocols and decision-making tradition.

He also is aware of that if he can ink the deal - he will earn a princely six-figure fee.