ComponentSource was founded in October 1995 by a core team of professionals with over one hundred man yearsÆ combined experience in vertical market software application development. The business aim is to become the ædefinitiveÆ source of software components for corporate IT developers, software houses and contract software professionals.

With the future of client/server development set to become revolutionised by the rapid growth of distributed object and component technology, ComponentSource has established a unique method for delivering these building blocks using CD technology.

It is estimated that by 1997 most new software will be developed using components. (Source Strategic Focus). Primarily, the driving force behind this movement is the benefit that component technology brings. Namely, the ability to put together complex client server information systems by quickly and simply assembling and extending components. In other words, re-using proven software and not re-inventing the wheel when developing new applications.

In short, the whole revolution is set to make us change the way we develop, build and sell software, and will affect the entire software business: developers, integrators and customers alike.

This technology is not new, but now for the first time the necessary infrastructures and standards such as OLE exist for components to become true building blocks, and are increasingly independent of hardware platform or operating system.

Commercially, the problems for the component market up until now have revolved round cost, distribution and support. ComponentSource believes it is the first in the market to properly address these issues, and its products will be a major force in stimulating the inevitable boom in demand for components.

For small and medium size developers the use of components means reduced development costs and the ability to integrate seamlessly with applications developed by other suppliers. For large developers using components complex applications can be delivered in record time, with a huge proportion of software coming from æoff the shelfÆ, already tested and proven components. Components will also allow developers to provide market specific applications, (e.g. Microsoft Word for legal companies), offering only the functionality needed with useful and relevant add-ons provided.

With this market opportunity in mind, and with first hand experience of the frustrations involved in obtaining software components, ComponentSource was born. Initially the business will focus on establishing itself as æTheÆ supplier of software components to the software industry, offering a superior level of product choice, information, education, accessibility and support, all being made available on currently the most convenient and robust media, CD-ROM.

The companyÆs first CDÆs will concentrate on supplying components to Visual Basic application developers. At present, this market represents the largest in component usage terms, a situation further strengthened by the recent arrival of Visual Basic 4.0. Further CD editions for other Windows development languages are planned for 1996.

For more information contact Chris Sayer on +44 (0) 118 958 1111