RainCode modernizes ALD automotive's core business application

Rather than running the huge cost and risk involved in rewriting such a business critical piece of software, ALD contracted with RainCode to modernize this application’s technology base. Raincode is expert at strictly preserving the existing business functionality of aging software assets while replacing the technical foundations with modern tools. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 22, 2009 - DEC Lease is ALD's core application. Its development can be traced back to 1985. Thanks to its rock solid technical foundations and rigorous design, it has evolved proficiently to support changes in the business requirements. In 2007, it was used in production in over 30 subsidiaries over the world, taking all local legal or customary differences into account and providing a significant competitive advantage to its business.

Over twenty years down the road, despite its continuous functional excellence, DEC Lease’s technical foundations have turned to a liability while the design remains a significant business asset. Those foundations were based on an aging proprietary toolkit to provide its user interface – which produced an old “green screen” presentation – and on flat files to store its data.

In 9 months and for a small fraction of the cost of a rewrite, RainCode delivered a complete modernization solution for the core application:

• Re-hosting from a proprietary environment to open systems
• Replacing flat files with a more secure and flexible relational database
• Replacing the character-based green screens with raw converted graphical user-interface (GUI)

RainCode’s solution is delivered as a migration machinery as opposed to a plain service, to allow ALD to continue maintaining the application during the project.

ALD then used the converted code to enhance all screens with a redesigned layout and introduction of new objects such as; calendars, tick boxes and drop down lists. All batches, reports, SLQ requests were also revamped by ALD.

In June 2009, Serbia was the first country to go live with this migrated application, named Aldavar, which will be rolled out over the other countries where ALD is present over the coming months.

Fabrice Bédier, project manager at ALD International : “Raincode has shown a remarkable ability to understand our original coding techniques and all the underlying functional impacts. This lead to the translation and modernisation of our current application into an up to date technology. We appreciate the competence and expert advice given by Raincode during the course of the project. From the early stages of designing a new infrastructure from scratch, to the latter stage of guiding us through our first migration, the team has shown reactivity and efficiency to help us breaking difficulties. We also greatly appreciate the cost effectiveness of Raincode’s solution, and the fact that the project reached all targets in terms of deadlines and quality.”

RainCode S.P.R.L., based in Brussels, Belgium, has been founded in 1999 and provides tools and services for software transformation, rehosting, translation and migration (http://www.raincode.com)

ALD International is the holding company of ALD Automotive (http:www.aldautomotive.com), 100% subsidiary of Société Générale. Embedded within SG’s specialized financial services, ALD Automotive’s core business is long term vehicle rental, in 40 countries in Europe, North Africa, Asia and America. This geographical coverage allows global fleet management for large international accounts, as well as local businesses from medium to large size. With a total fleet of 787000 vehicles in December 2008, ALD Automotive is the 2nd largest European car leasing company, and employs 3800 people worldwide.

http://www.raincode.com

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