Sterling Software's Applications Development Division announced today that DST Systems, Inc. (DST) has selected COOL:Biz( to gather and model its customers` data requirements and structures. DST designs and develops systems, software products and services that enable companies in the mutual fund, banking, insurance and healthcare industries to increase productivity, improve quality and enhance customer service. COOL:Biz will be used for process and data modeling in the systems that serve the mutual fund and investment management market.
DST`s products run at its data center and execute millions of transactions a day on mainframes that have capacity in excess of 3000 MIPS (millions of instructions per second). Data modeling is highly complex and dynamic at DST because modifications to the products may be made for each customer, and those changes must be incorporated into existing data structures. COOL:Biz will enable DST to automate this process, creating visual logical models that can be shared, revised and re-used in a multi-user environment on future projects and products.
"We use COOL:Biz when we work with new customers, who are most likely processing with their own systems or another outside vendor," said Steve Sherman, systems manager of the data management group at DST. "The data management group produces models to understand the customer`s existing data structures and environment and compare them to our data structures. This mapping allows us to determine how to tailor or extend our product to meet their needs. COOL:Biz helps us understand and visualize the customer`s current environment."
DST provides comprehensive business solutions, including operational and maintenance services. Although not positioned as a traditional package software vendor or an Application Service Provider (ASP), DST designs and provides pre-built application software and services. One of its products operates on more than 37,000 workstations worldwide.
IDC predicts an emerging market trend for Application Service Providers (ASPs), which will provide a new channel opportunity, complementing direct sales and value-added reseller (VAR) models. The ASP will be different from a VAR, however, in that it will operate as a one-to-many model, servicing many companies through a single, centralized IT operation, rather than implementing its solutions at each customer site.
Anna Clepper, vice president of marketing, Applications Development Division said: "Sterling Software is committed to providing the most comprehensive environment in the industry for enterprise component and application development. Understanding and leveraging data structure is critical to organizations like DST. COOL:Biz will allow them to quickly adapt and respond to meet new customers` needs and changes in the industry."
Editors Note
About DST Systems, Inc.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE-DST) provides sophisticated information processing and computer software services and products to mutual funds, insurance providers, banks, and other financial organizations. DST`s advanced business solutions provide companies the information and tools they need to operate more efficiently and productively and deliver higher levels of customer service. In addition, DST is the leading provider of recordkeeping services to the mutual fund industry, servicing more than 48 million shareholder accounts.
About COOL Products
Sterling Software`s COOL product portfolio provides an integrated environment for delivering and maintaining enterprise-scale applications. The model-based tools support component-based development (CBD) and pattern technology as well as more classical development approaches, enabling hybrid approaches that combine both speed and quality. COOL:Biz is a tool for visualizing, understanding and communicating complex business processes and workflows. COOL:Spex( is a tool focusing on interface-based design for component specifications and architecture design. COOL:Jex( is a visual modeling tool for implementing components using object technology. COOL:Gen( is an application development tool, leveraging components to build multi-tier client/server and Web-based applications. COOL:Plex( is a pattern-driven application development tool optimized for Windows NT and AS/400 environments, and COOL:2E is the leading model-based application development tool for the AS/400.
About Sterling Software, Inc.
Sterling Software is a leading provider of software products and services for the applications management, systems management and federal systems markets. Sterling Software, with its headquarters in Dallas, has a worldwide installed base of more than 20,000 customer sites and has 3,500 employees in 95 offices worldwide. For more information on Sterling Software, visit the company`s Web site at http://www.sterling.com.
Share
Editorial contacts