Great job day-to-day, but where's the company going? - Software Engineer Access Company Employee Review

4.0
8 Jan 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The ACCESS folks in Sunnyvale are the best team I've ever worked with - they're smart, hard working, and friendly. The programming is really interesting, and U.S. management lets us do our jobs without getting in the way. ACCESS has offices and customers all over the world. It's great if you like to travel or work with people from other countries. And the folks at the non-U.S. offices are mostly pretty cool. They're open to telecommuting, the health plan and bonus plan and other benefits are good, there's lots of free food, and free lattes in the break room. Turnover is pretty low, and the hiring process is very selective, so you work with top-notch people. I feel lucky to work here. Headhunters call and I just laugh.

Cons

The code/build/test cycle is very, very slow - but that's the same with any embedded system programming. The QA team needs some training: "doesn't work" is not a bug report. Top management is Japanese and hates to lose face or deliver bad news. If you want to know how the company is really doing, ignore what they say in company meetings and read the investor reports from the web site.

Explore other reviews about Access Company

5.0
25 May 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People, Work atmosphere, Benefits were great

Cons

Small company, competitive market, lack of brand strength, competitors have a better solution

2.0
21 Dec 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are a lot of good people who try really hard at the individual contributor and mid-management levels. The pay is solid and the benefits are pretty good.

Cons

The most senior management (in Japan) are nothing but an obstacle. They have no business in Silicon Valley. They are unimaginative, cost-obsessed, and incredibly reactionary. They respond to major senior management failures by laying off low level workers and keeping the people who made the dumb decisions. I think if the shareholders knew how terribly the place is run, and how low morale is, they would be angry.

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