Software Futures has entered into a business alliance with Alydaar International, a US-based code rectification factory focusing on a broad range of languages, including Adabas/Natural, PL/1, COBOL and RPG. In addition, Software Futures offers code testing software through New Dimension Software. "We are delighted to combine Alydaar`s world-class technology for Year 2000 code fixing with Software Futures` customer base," said Andrew Carr, Director, International Business for Alydaar. "We believe with our multi-language capabilities and the proliferation of different computer languages in South Africa present a real opportunity to assist local companies to meet their Y2K deadlines," says Carr. Software Futures director Andrew Procter reports that millions of lines of code are being shipped overseas, and that the automated rectification process is making a positive impact on Year 2000 conversions. Procter says companies are looking for a high level of accuracy and the ability to accommodate a broad range of code. "With time running out for Year 2000 conversions, companies want a factory which is fully automated and can therefore deliver accurate remediated code quickly. Companies also want to send all their programs to a single factory, irrespective of the language in which it is written." The Alydaar alliance is particularly valid in South Africa, which has one of the highest ratios of Adabas/Natural installations in the world. The Software Futures/Alydaar business alliance addresses the top 100 companies in South Africa, providing complete automated code remediation services. In addition, Alydaar has an alliance with CompuWare for code testing. "By sending code out for automated conversion, many immediate problems are resolved," says Procter. "The workload on existing human resources is lightened considerably, as is the burden on hardware, which would have to accommodate normal production runs as well as testing. The overall project life cycle is reduced, and so reducing the need for bridges and shortening freeze times." Industry-watcher Capers Jones warns that even low error margins can mean huge expense, and recommends that for every percentage point below 100% accuracy in the conversion process, companies budget for additional testing costs of R240 000 per million lines of code. Alydaar`s track record shows an accuracy level of 99,98%. Procter concedes that the cost of automated factory conversion seems high, but adds that in the long run it does pay. "The most significant advantage of automated conversions is the reduction in testing time and cost, simply because automated rectification has a smaller margin for error," he said.
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