Berkhamsted-based Synapse Computer Services Plc, which offers third party support and maintenance of systems software to IBM 370-type installations has seen profits falter because of a dwindling lack of interest in the UK in converting from DOS/VSE to MVS. Synapse banked on a growing market for this service by investing in management structure and has been wrongfooted leading to a 5% drop in pre-tax profit to UKP1.1. However, turnover grew healthily, up 33% to just over UKP9m. One successful conversion service that was carried out was moving Save & Prosper Ltd’s thousands of assembler programs to MVS from DOS using Synapse’s tool Exodus. In the US Synapse Inc has seen turnover grow by 23% to UKP880,000 largely due to the winning of orders for DOS/VSE to MVS conversions, as well as for the translation of OS/VS Cobol to the new VS Cobol II standard. Activities in Europe were slightly disappointing because resellers did not produce the royalties expected. Nevertheless European revenue grew by UKP629,000, and the resellers are doing better now. A further reason for optimism, according to chairman Bill Williams is the growth that Synapse hopes for from its Westwood Information Technology buy in December for UKP373,000. Westwood offers consultancy services to help companies maximise the effectiveness of their investment in information technology, and counts British Telecom among its clients. Williams suggests Synapse may use Westwood to raise its profile beyond IBM users, helping it to reduce its reliance on the IBM world.
