Investing For Growth
Investing For Growth
by Robert Sheard (MF DowMan) LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14): The Investing For Growth model portfolio paused today after three straight days of 2% or better gains. But one hero for the group on the session was Computer Associates <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:CA)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:CA)") end if %>. The giant software company has been on the move recently and today the "road show" played the Capitol.
Marc Sokol, vice president of advanced technology, testified before the House of Representatives' Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Technology about the problem facing the computer industry when we reach the year 2000.
With just three years and 230 days left, Sokol believes that automated software is the only way to fix Year 2000 computer problems on time. "There's simply not enough time to convert everything manually," Sokol said. "There's too much software code to change and too few weekends to do it."
Automated software tools are the only way of ensuring that information systems continue performing successfully when the calendar rolls over into 2000. They eliminate human errors, problem delays and missed deadlines. Without these tools, Sokol said the date change could cripple an organization's ability to execute critical business functions by affecting everything from insurance calculations to budgeting to electronic data transfers.
"Most organizations don't have the time, money and other resources to bring their applications into Year 2000 compliance," said Sokol. "You need to find every date field and test it correctly. That's why automated tools are so essential."
Every line of code must be scrutinized to ensure Year 2000 compliance. For many enterprises, that means inspecting hundreds of millions of lines of code and correcting errant code at a minimum estimated cost of $.30 to $.50 per line, according to Sokol. A company with 10 million lines of code or 5,000-10,000 programs to be modified, for example, is facing minimum costs of $3 million to $5 million for a manual conversion.
Sokol said the Year 2000 date problem exists in any business, in both public and private sectors, where date calculations are crucial. "That's why business and government have to get their arms around the problem before it's too late," he told lawmakers during a hearing entitled "Solving the Year 2000 Software Problem: Creating A Blueprint for Success."
According to Sokol, Computer Associates has already successfully analyzed and updated hundreds of millions of lines of its own code, both in its software solutions and internal applications. The CA Discovery 2000 Solution provides a complete suite of software and services to help reduce the costs and resources associated with Year 2000 processing. Included are tools to help estimate and plan the Year 2000 initiative and services, including impact assessment, project planning, education and conversion techniques.
If this sounds more like a Tom Clancy plot than a real problem, just step back and consider everything automated that touches your personal life. A nightmare looms if the industry doesn't make the transition smoothly.
If you'd like a copy of Sokol's complete testimony, it's available on CA's home page (http://www.cai.com). under the "What's New" section.
Transmitted: 5/14/96 | ||||||||
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