Having spent many years in the IBM mid-range environment it became more and more obvious that AS400 and iSeries users would demand up to date and business centric solutions that addressed the needs of the business user. Browser, Internet and web service needs were becoming the 'norm' rather than the exception.
SAS discovered one such company that proved to be 'leading the way' in providing tools to service those needs - looksoftware. SAS continue to expand their iSeries/browser delivery capabilites through their tools; lookserver; soarchitect etc.
SAS staff have gained experience over the years in the formal management of 'change' in the development environment. But what was needed was something more than just traditional 'change management' as iSeries users were employing a myriad of development platforms. Arcad with a true 'Open Source Code Repository' lead the market for Application Life Cycle Management – encompassing software configuration management that includes change management, systems documentation in all it's usable forms, application testing and iSeries help desk and this is what SAS clients were asking for.
The SAS partnership with Linoma was formed after a recommendation from a major customer! Linoma were providing modern technology for what appears to be 'archaic' environments and had quickly proved that automating drawn out processes and operations could be improved. Linoma now lead the world in providing security via encryption technology for both transmitted and stored data; something that SAS clients now benefit from
Although not involved in the hardware requirements of iSeries, Server and PC customers, SAS recognised the capabilities of companies who were being recognised by ‘word of mouth’. CVSI was a prime example of a company who put the support and maintenance of their customers at the forefront of their business ethics and SAS have been proud to be involved on many occasions where CVSI have provided benefits to even those AS400 and iSeries users who do not run 'current' hardware.