Golden Code Development
Golden Code Development is a small US-based software consultancy that builds FWD, an open-source technology providing fully automated conversion of Progress ABL applications into drop-in replacement Java applications for enterprise modernization, monetized via dual licensing and professional services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersAlpharetta, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Golden Code Development does
Golden Code Development Corporation is a privately held software consultancy founded in 1995 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, operating with 1-10 employees. The company is the creator of FWD (Forward), an open-source technology that provides fully automated conversion of Progress ABL applications into drop-in replacement Java applications, eliminating dependence on Progress Software Corporation's OpenEdge platform. The conversion process uses hyper-pipelined automated analysis and transformation across thousands of sequential steps, producing converted code that requires no manual post-conversion edits and replicates original application behavior with 100% fidelity. Golden Code also maintains a legacy portfolio of OS/2 tools — J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2 (the first and only Java Compatible certified port), Network Trace, Kernel Trace, and Trace Analyzer — built around the company's early systems integration expertise.
The company monetizes through a dual revenue model: software licensing (including dual licensing of FWD technology for customers requiring closed-source distribution rights) and professional services encompassing consulting, assessment, proof of concept, refactoring/modernization, automated migration, technology enhancement, testing, training, defect support, custom build lines, integrated regression testing, and DevOps services. Customer engagement is sales-led, targeting enterprises with Progress 4GL modernization needs and delivered through direct outreach plus an IBM Global Services support channel and a partner program for third-party services organizations. Notable customers have included Bank of America (a 6+ year engagement covering 4,200+ branch sites), IBM, Intel, Comcast, SunTrust, and Scientific Atlanta, alongside confidential enterprise ERP and Symix pilot engagements. Founder-led since inception by Gregory Shah (CEO) and Eric Faulhaber (CFO), the company has operated as a bootstrapped consultancy with no disclosed institutional investment.
Golden Code Development firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Golden Code Development
- Legal name
- Golden Code Development Corporation
- Website
- https://goldencode.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Golden Code Development is a small US-based software consultancy that builds FWD, an open-source technology providing fully automated conversion of Progress ABL applications into drop-in replacement Java applications for enterprise modernization, monetized via dual licensing and professional services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Golden Code Development industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Application Modernization Software
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Application Modernization & Upgrades (incl. S/4HANA, cloud migrations) (BPAEAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Developer Experience (DevEx) Tooling & Productivity Engineering (BPAEAKAM), Release Engineering & Environment Management (BPAEAKAH)
Keywords
Where Golden Code Development is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alpharetta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Golden Code Development business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Licensing revenue from software products including J2SE for OS/2 and trace analysis tools. The company offers dual licensing for FWD technology allowing distribution and hosting of closed source applications.
- Professional Services: Consulting, assessment, proof of concept, refactoring/modernization, automated migration, technology enhancement, testing, training, defect support, custom build lines, and DevOps services provided on hourly or fixed price basis.
- Dual Licensing: Source and distribution license available for FWD technology enabling customers to keep converted application code proprietary while having full rights to modify and distribute FWD source code and binaries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2 - Free License |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | FWD Dual License |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Assessment Services |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Proof of Concept Services |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Refactoring/Modernization Services |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Automated Migration Services |
| Subscription | Annual | Fee-based Support Contracts |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Support |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Golden Code Development product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Golden Code Development provides the FWD (Forward) open source platform that fully automates conversion of Progress ABL applications into pure Java applications that run as drop-in replacements, requiring no manual post-conversion edits. The company also sells a portfolio of OS/2-native software (J2SE 1.4.1, Network Trace, Kernel Trace, Trace Analyzer) and delivers a full range of professional services — assessment, proof of concept, refactoring/modernization, automated migration, consulting, training, and enterprise support — around its conversion technology.
Product overview
Golden Code Development offers a portfolio of products and services centered on the FWD (Forward) open-source project - the world's leading Progress ABL to Java automated conversion technology. FWD provides 100% automated conversion of Progress applications into drop-in replacement Java applications with no manual post-conversion edits required. The company also provides a suite of legacy OS/2 development tools (J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2, Network Trace, Kernel Trace, and Trace Analyzer) that are no longer generally available. A comprehensive range of consulting services supports FWD adoption including reporting/analysis, assessment, proof of concept, refactoring/modernization, automated migration, technology enhancement, consulting, test automation, training, defect support, custom build lines, integrated regression testing, and DevOps services. The company also offers dual licensing for organizations wishing to keep converted applications closed source.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FWD (Forward): An open source Progress ABL to Java conversion and runtime technology that enables automated conversion of Progress applications to Java with drop-in replacement capability.
- Network Trace for OS/2
- Kernel Trace for OS/2
- Trace Analyzer for Java
- J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2
- P2J (Progress to Java)
Products and services
- FWD (Forward) Open source Progress ABL to Java conversion and runtime technology that provides fully automated conversion of Progress applications into drop-in replacement Java applications. Supports ChUI, GUI, batch mode, and Appserver deployments with 100% automated conversion requiring no manual post-conversion source code edits.
- J2SE 1.4.1 for OS/2 Native port of Sun Microsystems' Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 1.4.1 to OS/2, including Java Web Start and Java Plug-in for Mozilla. Certified Java Compatible and includes HotSpot technology for both client and server compilers.
- Network Trace for OS/2 Software-only network packet capture solution for OS/2 platforms. Enables any OS/2 machine to capture and analyze network traffic to a file using NDIS 2.01 compliant MAC drivers, supporting Token Ring, Ethernet, and other network types.
- Kernel Trace for OS/2
Quantifiable outcome
- Tens of millions of dollars in annual cost savings for Bank of America from WorkSpace On-Demand implementation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Golden Code Development
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Golden Code Development technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Golden Code Development partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- InnoTek Systemberatung GmbHcorePartnership with InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH of Eriskirch, Germany to cooperatively develop the OS/2 port of the J2SE platform and market the overall service solution. InnoTek worked with Golden Code on the J2SE/Mozilla service offering for OS/2.
- Sun MicrosystemscoreGolden Code Development entered into agreements with Sun Microsystems to license the Java Compatibility Kit (JCK) and to commercially distribute the OS/2 port of the J2SE environment. The J2SE 1.4.1 port passed all 30,000+ JCK tests to achieve official Java Compatible branding.
- IBM Global ServicescoreIBM Global Services provides Level 1 and 2 support for Golden Code J2SE products in many countries, backed by Level 3 defect support from Golden Code Development. This partnership enables enterprise customers to access local support in multiple regions.
- IBM Business PartnermajorGolden Code is an IBM Business Partner, heavily involved with implementation of OS/2 and Workspace On-Demand at IBM's largest customers.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Golden Code Development competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- IBM: IBM is a long-standing partner (Business Partner, Global Services reseller for Golden Code J2SE) and a broad incumbent in enterprise modernization with its own migration tooling, hybrid cloud, and consulting practices that overlap with Golden Code's addressable modernization spend.
- Cognizant: Cognizant acquired both Heirloom Computing and Modern Systems, building a large legacy modernization practice that competes for the same enterprise modernization budget as Golden Code, but at significantly greater scale and with a broader services portfolio.
- Micro Focus (now part of OpenText): Micro Focus/OpenText offers a broad portfolio of enterprise modernization, mainframe, and DevOps tools across multiple legacy languages (COBOL, RPG, etc.). Comparable in serving legacy modernization buyers, but as a broad incumbent across many platforms rather than a Progress ABL specialist.
- Progress Software Corporation: Progress is the creator and steward of the Progress ABL/OpenEdge platform that FWD migrates customers away from. Not a direct competitor in conversion but the incumbent whose customer base drives Golden Code's demand, with broader application platform and DevTools offerings.
Direct peers
- Astadia: Astadia specializes in mainframe and midrange modernization including automated migration to cloud and modern platforms, with tooling and consulting services. Comparable in targeting the same enterprise buyers facing legacy platform deprecation.
- Modern Systems (now part of Cognizant): Modern Systems provides automated transformation and modernization of legacy enterprise applications to modern platforms, including COBOL-to-Java conversions. Comparable product/positioning to FWD in the automated legacy modernization category.
- Asysco: Asysco delivers legacy application migration and modernization services for mainframe and midrange platforms (IBM i, VMS, Unix). Similar enterprise modernization consulting model with a comparable focus on drop-in modernization rather than rip-and-replace.
- TSRI (The Software Revolution, Inc.): TSRI provides fully automated code transformation and refactoring services for legacy languages (COBOL, PL/I, Natural, etc.) to modern platforms including Java and .NET. Highly comparable to FWD as both deliver near-100% automated conversion with minimal manual rewrite, targeting the same enterprise modernization buyer.
- Heirloom Computing (now part of Cognizant): Heirloom offers automated migration of legacy mainframe and midrange applications (COBOL, PL/I, CA-2) to Java with cloud-native deployment. Direct peer in automated legacy-to-Java conversion with a similar drop-in replacement value proposition and enterprise consulting overlay.
- mLogica: mLogica provides mainframe and enterprise application modernization services and tools, including automated transformation to Java and cloud-native platforms. Comparable boutique legacy modernization firm with services-plus-tools delivery model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Golden Code Development social profiles
Digital presenceGolden Code Development financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Golden Code Development leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Golden Code Development funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Golden Code Development M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Golden Code Development
What does Golden Code Development do?
Golden Code Development provides the FWD (Forward) open source platform that fully automates conversion of Progress ABL applications into pure Java applications that run as drop-in replacements, requiring no manual post-conversion edits. The company also sells a portfolio of OS/2-native software (J2SE 1.4.1, Network Trace, Kernel Trace, Trace Analyzer) and delivers a full range of professional services — assessment, proof of concept, refactoring/modernization, automated migration, consulting, training, and enterprise support — around its conversion technology.
Is Golden Code Development a public or private company?
Golden Code Development is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Golden Code Development founded?
Golden Code Development was founded in 1995. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Golden Code Development based?
Golden Code Development is headquartered in Alpharetta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Golden Code Development make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are professional Services and dual Licensing.
Who are Golden Code Development's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are IBM, Cognizant, Micro Focus (now part of OpenText) and Progress Software Corporation. Direct peers are Astadia, Modern Systems (now part of Cognizant), Asysco, TSRI (The Software Revolution, Inc.), Heirloom Computing (now part of Cognizant) and mLogica.
Does Golden Code Development have an API?
No public API is recorded for Golden Code Development.
What industry is Golden Code Development in?
Golden Code Development's product category is Application Modernization Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAGAG, Enterprise Application Modernization & Upgrades (incl. S/4HANA, cloud migrations), with a secondary code of BPAEAKAM, Developer Experience (DevEx) Tooling & Productivity Engineering. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.