As much as we would like the business sponsors to align their thinking of legacy code with business assurance, it is equally important that the IT stakeholders continually seek ways to drive and deliver better value out of their IT assets.

FORBES: When the past should be seamlessly woven into the future

Remember, however, that they all have a vested interest in getting your business, so the price you are quoted is your best assurance of a good deal.

FORBES: The Delta Air Lines Hotels.com Deal Is No Deal

With the acquisition of Fortify Software, HP will offer a complete, market-leading solution that helps organizations reduce business risk, meet compliance regulations and protect against malicious application attacks by integrating security assurance seamlessly across the application life cycle.

FORBES: HP Buys Bug-Hunting Business Fortify

Kmart chief executive Charles Conaway said he looked forward to "resuming our critical business relationship with Fleming once we work through these financial issues and are able to provide Fleming with adequate assurance of payment".

BBC: Suppliers desert Kmart