When the former Computer Associates changed its licensing model from an enterprise licence model to deferred subscription about five years ago, its revenue took a big knock. At the time, the company`s revenue fell from $4.6 billion to less than $3 billion within a year.

True to the promises of the then chairman and CEO Sanjay Kumar – whose promises no longer carry the weight they used to – the 2005 financial year figures show that CA is on its way back to a healthy income statement. Much of the credit for this improved state of affairs goes to John Swainson, who stepped in as the new president and CEO in 2004, after Kumar was indicted on fraud and obstruction charges.