Success Story: BDS Based Application Modernisation BAB

BAB Data-Systems GmbH are willing to share their experience on working with Querix and modernizing their 4GL application using the 'Hydra4GL' and the Querix graphical client Phoenix with other 4GL users with this white paper.

A success story of BAB Data-Systems GmbH, Wuppertal, Germany

Wuppertal, 29^th October

In Autumn 2006, we decided to modernize our comprehensive tax application consisting of one million lines of 4GL/BDS and C code. We had to make a decision on rewriting the entire application with a different tool set or using one of the available tool sets to achieve this task. Because we were not willing to reinvent the wheel and wanted, at the same time, to provide our large customer base with a dedicated solution with which they were familiar, Querix seemed to offer a method of achieving our goal in a smooth and very cost effective manner.

In the first project evolution, all programs were advanced with a modern looking graphical user interface to replace the rather text based BDS user interface. During this evolution, we recognised very soon, that we also required additional functionality to give the application not just a modern look, but to make it also work and behave for the user like any other modern MS-Windows application.

Initially, this looked like a real disadvantage but evolved quickly to an advantage. Querix is a flexible 4GL compiler author which reacted promptly to our requirements and needs. Our ideas and wishes to product enhancements were taken seriously and made available promptly. Querix worked with us during the entire project phase not just like a tools provider, but more like a reliable business partner who helped us to make the project a success. Reaction time was excellent and decisions were not hampered by longwinded bureaucratic decision processes over multiple organisational instances. Querix was always prepared to listen and acted promptly which helped us hugely to achieve our modernisation goal.

It took us only 2 man years to give our aforementioned application with the one million lines of code a complete modernisation overhaul. Instead of wasting time on the process of ‘reinventing the wheel’, we now have the opportunity and man resources to concentrate on real application enhancements. On top of that, the price difference between our original used legacy BDS compiler compare to Querix`s development suite gives us an additional cash return of over 50%.

Wolfgang Zager,

Chief of Development,

BAB Data-Systems GmbH

Wuppertal

Germany