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BCD Sees Rise in Demand for Professional Services

Business Computer Design, Int’l. says activity for its professional services group has grown and is expected to expand in 2009. The group specializes in developing new custom IBM i Web applications and modernizing existing green-screen applications. Factors influencing greater demand for BCD services include the addition of IBM i PHP Web application development services using WebSmart PHP, and services to modernize existing IBM i green-screen applications using Presto, BCD’s IBM i Web enablement tool.

WebSmart PHP is a rapid Web application development tool for creating System i and multiplatform PHP Web applications and is used by the services team to deliver PHP apps quickly and efficiently.

Presto, BCD’s rapid green-screen modernization tool was unveiled in June 2008. Presto has generated a huge response. Based on the number of downloads, high enrollment in Webinars and new sales, BCD expects 2009 to be a very active year, the company says. Along with new Web application development, customers looking for a complete solution that includes modernizing existing green-screen applications have also hired BCD professional services.

Current economic conditions have forced many organizations to curtail hiring initiatives, and in many cases cut back on staffing. This has put pressure on IT departments to deliver new projects and accurately estimate costs. BCD says its professional services team can help alleviate these challenges by developing and deploying applications without clients having to hire full-time staff members or incur overhead for the developer.