Software Magazine ranks Independent SW Vendors

[emery@mitre-bedford.arpa (David Emery)]

Software Magazine presented a listing of the top 100 Independent
Software Developers.  I saw three Ada companies, Rational at #58,
Alsys at #73 and Verdix at #87.  Rational reported revenues of $48.0
Million, Alsys of $43.0 Million, and Verdix of $24.8 Million.  Of
particular interest is that Rational is ranked #4 and Alsys is ranked
#8 in percentage spent on R&D (31% and 27%, respectively.  Verdix
reportedly spent 18% on R&D).  

On the other hand, In the chart showing "Languages Used", Ada didn't
make the chart.  C was mentioned 92 times, C++ 61 times, Assembler 49
times, and COBOL 31 times.  (I'm very surprised at the high percentage
of Assembler, and low percentage of COBOL.)  On the other hand,
there's no chart that correlates language with sales ranking, etc.  

I'd say that overall, the Ada industry comes out as small, but alive.
I'm particularly impressed with Ada's excellent showing in the R&D ranking.

				dave