PIR Group specializes in custom development of automated migration tools on various midrange platforms. One of the early assignments undertaken by the start-up organization was the development of a product for converting Wang VS shops to IBM's S/38. The value of automation for eliminating repetitious, error-prone, manual conversion coding was the impetus for developing PIR's first product. WANG400 is an automatic utility for converting Wang VS COBOL to native AS/400 COBOL with a first run conversion rate of 99.6%. PIR's intent was to redirect human effort during conversions to those areas truly requiring hands-on intervention, e.g. debugging, code enhancements, and unit testing. Coincidental with the development of the initial conversion product, IBM announced the AS/400. Because of PIR's familiarity with the AS/400 predecessor, IBM looked upon PIR as a partner who could bring Wang software houses into the AS/400 arena. The announcement of PIR as an IBM Business Partner, specializing in conversions, confirmed this recognition. More than 200 Wang software companies used PIR's products and services to become AS/400 Application Specialists themselves. More Wang customers followed has PIR's reputation grew. A second conversion product, a S/370-to-AS/400 tool set named COBOL KeePIR for the AS/400, was developed in 1990 and later brought to market in 1991...

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