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Erich Sartori, one of the first programmers

”Simplify“ – a central element of development
”It is always good to simplify complex problems or program solutions. To repeatedly ask oneself – how can I break this down. This is important for a software which has existed for almost 30 years and whose source codes should remain clear. I am happy about each line that I can delete from the code. This is as important for me as entering new lines“, explains Sartori.

Creator of the abas database
As a young developer, he and Reinhard Harms had a very important task in the first years: the development of ABAS‘ own database. They started working vigorously. At the beginning of the eighties many databases weren‘t highly developed, external databases were expensive and were designed for implementation on mainframe computers. The decision for or against a specific database was made carefully. If the wrong database had been chosen at that time, this also could have led to the financial ruin of the young company. Some industry competitors suffered exactly this fate. Both oriented themselves toward the requirements of their customers when selecting a database, these customers were midsize businesses. This meant: the required solution was not supposed to increase the price of the actual product, the database should be tailored for use in midsize businesses and not require too many resources. Multi-user computers, i.e. MPM systems were the target platform back then. Based on this background the decision to use an own database was made.

The importance of looking forward and looking back
The upgradeability of the abas Business Software creates special challenges for the development department: ”If we develop something these days, we do not only look forward, we also look back to ensure that a new solution is compatible with older versions“, says Sartori. His task in the next five years until he retires will be to pass on his enthusiasm and knowledge. ”Things are developed here which no university teaches. New employees and students will be trained until they have an understanding and say: that‘s interesting, I‘d also like to do that, that will be my task in the next few years.“

Cracking user problems until 2015
When you see how his eyes light up when he talks about software programming you ask yourself if he will be able to retire. Sartori seems confident: ”We will see, but the plan is that I take the step in 2015 and stop working or thinking about software.“ His family and his enthusiasm for music (trombone and transverse) will help him in taking this step. Until then he still has time to crack an user problem or two.