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DOCUMENT RESUME
03389 - (A2593734]
Millions in Savings Possible in Converting Programs from One
Computer to Another. FGMSD-77-34; B-115369. September 15, 1977.
14 pp. + 3 appendices (45 pp.).
Report to the CongreLz; by Elwer E. Staats, Comptroller General.
Issue Area: Au.tomatic Data Processing: Changeover to Other ADP
Sytems (107)-
Contact: Financial and c.-nerdl Mrnagemint Stulies Div.
Budget Function: Mi3cellaneoi,. Autcati,- Data Processing
(1001).
Organizaticn Concerned: Department of COLmerce; Department of
tefense; General Service.s Admirlstratin; Office of
Management and Budget.
Congressional Relevance: Coagress.
Authority: Bxooks Act (P.L. 39-306).
Frequently, computer ptoqrams must be converted to make
them run on a computer different fzr-. +he one for which they
were originally devised. The annual Fedeial cost of such
conversions is estimated at moze than $450 million; over $100
million of this coulu be saved. Findings/Conclusionst The
following factors tend to increase conversion costs: lack of
readily available software conversion expertise in the
Government; poor quality of software to be converted; inadequate
flowcharts and other explanatory data; selection of
nonstandardized equipment; and lack of programmer productivity
aids. The Navy and the General Services Administration (GSA) are
planning a Federal center for software conversion. This center
could provide the know-how that is needed in software conversion
and make it readily available to all agencies. Recommendations:
The Office of Management and Budget should assist in
establishing a Federal center for software conversion. When such
a center is established, GSA should be able to require
independent conversion estimates by the center for expensive
agency procurements which have significant conversion costs. The
center could also assist agencies in converting programs
collected by GSA's recently established Federal Software
Exchange Center. Heads of Federal agencies should emphas Lze
quality and standards in new software developmet, including
both the prcgrams themselves and their docume-ntation. The
National Bureau of Standards should select and publish a set of
programmer productivity aids for Government-wide use to improve
the productivity of computer programmers on both original
development of software and software conversion. (Author/SC)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaavxk0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)