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Legacy Reserves

"Legacy Reserves" is a large and growing corps of veteran (over 35) Information Technology professionals with high skills in Legacy Systems who are available for independent contract consulting assignments in connection with the Web Enabling of Legacy data.

Legacy Systems are defined as proven database management systems running on mainframes or minicomputers. This includes systems written in "transitional" languages such as Java, C++, Visual Basic, etc., as well as "foundation" languages such as COBOL, BASIC and RPG. Because of the preponderance of COBOL (there are more lines of COBOL code in use today than all other languages combined), COBOL is considered synonymous with Legacy Systems.

Because Legacy Systems are so dependent on COBOL, there is a constant and growing need for Web Enablers familiar with COBOL technology. Sheer volume demands programmers with high COBOL skills. Because younger programmers, by-and-large, don't know COBOL and don't want to learn COBOL, older experienced hands are in extraordinary demand. Few colleges and universities are teaching COBOL today, so a need has arisen to "Call up the Reserves," hence the name Legacy Reserves, as a vehicle for bringing "Old Pros to the Rescue."

Experienced Professionals are not enough

Common sense tells us that it is easier to train a COBOL veteran in matters of the Internet than it is to train a dot-commer in the complex business rules and procedures of COBOL. What is needed, therefore, in the way of upgraded skills, is a crash course in Web Enabling taught to professionals who already know Legacy Management Systems. We believe that anyone with strong COBOL skills can learn the basics of Web Enabling in two days, three days, tops. We are also told that experienced programmers can pick up the necessary skills - - or at least basic training in the proprietary tools - - via the Internet, textbooks and CD. This training is already in place at one leading COBOL vendor, namely Micro Focus.

Micro Focus takes leadership in Basic Training for Internet Application Development

Each vendor of COBOL web enabling technology has materials, tools and training of a proprietary nature. Many employers, therefore, facing manpower challenges of converting COBOL-based data to the Internet seek not only COBOL- trained programmers but COBOL professionals trained in the proprietary technology of web enabling systems they are using or plan to use.

Programmers seeking full information on contract employment opportunities, including basic training in Micro Focus Legacy-based Internet Application Development, should register with the Legacy Reserves at www.COBOLWebler.com.