Berkhamstead-based software and services company ECSoft Ltd has announced a new Downsizing and Rightsizing service package, as part of its ECServices portfolio, to help technical and non-technical managers assess the viability and costs of downsizing. The service follows through a number of planning stages and includes tools for understanding existing systems, code restructuring, code translation, design reclamation, system testing, data conversion, adaptation and emulating mainframe systems. It is aimed mainly at ECSoft’s core IBM Corp market and is based on a methodology co-developed with consultancy Butler Bloor and comprises five stages: Feasibility Study, Requirements, Re-engineering, System Building and System implementation. A so-called Opportunity Analysis service, which identifies those areas of an organisation likely to benefit from downsizing, is also available for those deciding whether to take the plunge. This takes about two weeks to complete and costs UKP10,000. The Feasibility Study provides the technical and financial routemap for downsizing. It takes up to two months to complete, after which the other stages can be run in parallel. The Requirements stage is for analysing existing applications, user roles and skills, and defining performance goals. It provides a business benefits analysis, helps design new hardware and software and select new and user tools. Re-engineering is for designing a development environment; utilising existing systems; building data and process models; mapping old systems to new; and planning the migration of data, code, user interfaces and communications. System generation is for performing pilot tests, establishing a development and test environments and constructing new systems. Implementation is for planning and installing hardware and software, producing documentation and training, a handover to new systems and winding down of old systems. The service is available across Europe with the cost dependent on the size and complexity of the client.
