| NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - March 2, 2010) - | | | | CAST. "Function points measure functionality from |
| CAST, the leader in software analysis and | | | | the end-user's perspective. This is not a matter of |
| measurement, unveils cutting-edge capabilities in | | | | simply analyzing code -- an automated solution |
| automated function point counting. | | | | must analyze calls from the UI to recreate the |
| REMOVING THE OBSTACLES TO ACCURATE | | | | user experience all the way to the data layer |
| SIZINGWhile function points are the de facto | | | | from the source code. Doing so depends on |
| industry standard for measuring the amount of | | | | CAST's unique ability to take the entire application |
| functionality contained in a software application, | | | | into account -- from the user interface all the |
| they are time-consuming to measure, rely on | | | | way down to the structure of the database." |
| detailed and up-to-date documentation and require | | | | Indeed, CAST's capabilities are unique in this |
| function point specialists. CAST's automated | | | | regard. As Michael Azoff, principal analyst at |
| function point counting capabilities enable | | | | Ovum says, "CAST is one of a few companies |
| companies to avoid these problems. CAST's | | | | operating in the space of software analysis and |
| function point counts are fast, objective, | | | | measurement, an emergent practice that goes |
| repeatable, tamper-proof, cost effective and | | | | beyond static complexity analysis into architectural |
| benchmarkable. | | | | context and understanding." |
| As software measurement expert Capers Jones | | | | "In the last year, we've added three new function |
| puts it, "Function points match standard economic | | | | point capabilities to the CAST Application |
| definitions for productivity analysis, 'Goods or | | | | Intelligence Platform," said Vincent Delaroche, |
| services produced per unit of labor or expense.'" | | | | chairman and CEO of CAST. "First, we've |
| CAST makes this venerable industry standard for | | | | substantially increased the sophistication of our |
| software output readily accessible. IT | | | | counting algorithm to count micro-function points |
| organizations can now accurately measure their | | | | -- function point changes that are too small to be |
| productivity and benchmark their software | | | | counted manually but represent a big proportion |
| factories with minimal fuss. CIOs will now have | | | | of IT effort. Second, we are able to count |
| the data they need to make more informed | | | | enhancement function points -- changes in the size |
| critical resource allocation decisions and be able to | | | | of a project as it goes through a series of |
| speak much more credibly about IT to their CFO, | | | | enhancements to meet business needs. And most |
| CEO and Board. | | | | importantly, we've field tested our counting |
| INTENSE R&D EFFORT, UNIQUE SIZING | | | | accuracy in real-world engagements working |
| CAPABILITIESThe result of three years of | | | | alongside world-renowned function point experts. |
| intensive R&D and field testing, CAST's | | | | As a result, we have some very impressed |
| sophisticated algorithms for counting function | | | | customers." |
| points closely replicate the IFPUG 4.2 manual | | | | FIELD-TESTED ACCURACY"Our function point |
| standard. Automation makes CAST-Computed | | | | experts have worked closely with CAST |
| Function Point counts objective, repeatable, | | | | developers to calibrate CAST's automated |
| tamper-proof, cost effective and benchmarkable. | | | | function point counts to the manual counts during |
| "Our existing customers can't wait to start using | | | | several large engagements in the field," said David |
| these new capabilities," said Rémi Jacquet, VP | | | | Herron, author of two seminal books on function |
| of CAST operations in France. Our telecom, | | | | points and VP of Knowledge Solution Services at |
| insurance and investment banking customers can | | | | David Consulting Group. "Once calibrated, CAST |
| immediately begin to measure productivity and | | | | counts were within a professionally accepted |
| manage their applications even more effectively. | | | | range of accuracy." |
| Our partners, TieFree, Semantys and Compass | | | | CAST's enhanced function points keep track of |
| Management Consulting are also eager to tap into | | | | function points that have been added, modified |
| the increased power of CAST. Our new sizing | | | | and deleted as a project changes as a result of |
| capabilities are shaping up to be a great success." | | | | end-user requests. With this new capability, IT |
| "Automating function point counts, especially | | | | organizations can use CAST-Computed Function |
| across the variety of technologies employed by | | | | Points to accurately measure software |
| typical IT departments, is no easy task," said | | | | productivity and benchmark their IT organizations |
| Olivier Bonsignour, VP of product development at | | | | with peers. |