As a result, the programs have become more complex and the rush to Web-enable operations has placed a great burden on programmers to develop applications fast. If a company were unable to operate its customer-based applications, for example, sales would be adversely affected.
Businesses are unwilling to leave something like that to chance.
No doubt about it, yesterday's results and the increased guidance signal that the demand for Rational's products remains strong. A slowing economy has diminished information technology budgets, but Rational maintains its products and services remain a priority, providing companies with solutions that help efficiently build, test, and manage the entire software development process. That beat the Street's consensus by two cents. That represents a large sequential increase from the previous quarter's DSO of 68 days. According to Chairman Paul Levy, the jump occurred because December quarter contract renewals are exceptionally strong.