SoftwareMining - Legacy Modernization News

With 138-year history, Unisys is one of the oldest US / Global computer companies. In 2011 Unisys decided to migrate the COBOL part of their URBIS banking application to C#. Having already performed a thorough review of COBOL Migration tools, Unisys approached SoftwareMining to migrate the COBOL code to C#. Unisys's Urbis application is a fully integrated, windows-based international banking system designed to support all of a bank's international business including treasury, customer accounts, lending, derivatives and securities. Part of the system was originally implemented in COBOL.

• No additional Runtime licenses for distribution to clients
• The number of COBOL resources in URBIS department had significantly diminished. Now the department can benefit from larger pool of C#/.NET developers existing within the department
• Standardization on Microsoft .NET platform

Translation of parts COBOL code for 'Régime Special des Independants' (RSI) - part of French Social Security. In this project the System Integrator part of BULL will integrate the translated code in its SIPRESS application for RSI The original application is written for BULL COBOL. The migration to java allows integration of the application with other Java components already provided by BULL.

TransUnion is a global leader in credit information and information management services. Transunion's dedicated associates provide solutions to approximately 45,000 businesses and approximately 500 million consumers worldwide. Part of Transunion's Credit Card processing application was written on Tandem COBOL and communicates with INFORMIX Database. After reviewing the COBOL to Java tools vendors - Transunion decided to use SoftwareMining's migration tools provided the best means of moving away from this environment.

• Ability to run the application on a variety of platforms
• No additional Runtime licenses for distribution to clients
• The migration to Java platform was seen as a first step to the re-design/re-architecture of system - e.g. migration from Informix to PostgreSQL

With 138-year history, Unisys is one of the oldest US / Global computer companies. In 2011 Unisys decided to migrate the COBOL part of their URBIS banking application to C#. Having already performed a thorough review of COBOL Migration tools, Unisys approached SoftwareMining to migrate the COBOL code to C#. Unisys's Urbis application is a fully integrated, windows-based international banking system designed to support all of a bank's international business including treasury, customer accounts, lending, derivatives and securities. Part of the system was originally implemented in COBOL.

• No additional Runtime licenses for distribution to clients
• The number of COBOL resources in URBIS department had significantly diminished. Now the department can benefit from larger pool of C#/.NET developers existing within the department
• Standardization on Microsoft .NET platform

CGI is one of the large US System Integrators with 31,000 professionals in 125 offices worldwide. CGI has their own set of COBOL applications providing a variety of services to their Clients. Such clients are gradually migrating their other systems to Java, and anticipate closer integration of their Java systems with those provided by CGI. SoftwareMining translation system was selected after a vendcor review process lasting over 1 year.

• No additional Runtime licenses for distribution to clients (this was required by original MicroFocus COBOL)
• Easier integration with other systems
• Potential of migration from Indexed Files to Relational Databases
• Use of much larger pool of Java development resources to manage the application

This is an ILE COBOL Application with communicating with a DB400 database which is also run on i-Series. The target architecture is to replace all the COBOL applications with Object Oriented Java code, which continues to run on the same I-Series boxes and continues to access the same DB400 database. This strategy will allow retraining of the legacy resources in new languages, as well as the use of other Java resources in the organization to continue maintaining and enhancing the existing system.

Schober, a leading provider of direct-mail processing solutions, implemented modernization of their legacy system within weeks using SoftwareMining’s Translation Technology. Operational concerns regarding on-going mainframe support costs and maintainability of the current COBOL development environment, lead the management team to consider alterative solutions in SoftwareMining. Click here for read full article.

The article uses the success of Tax office Modernization at State of Maine to set out a modernization path UK government organizations, and assess the feasibility of migrating critical government applications to modern platforms. Click here for read article.

State of Maine Tax system completes testing and goes live. Maine Revenue Services estimated that the overall costs of this project were 70% less expensive than purchasing a replacement system. In addition, because the system was transformed as opposed to replaced, training and training costs were virtually eliminated, saving even more.

In 2002, the state of Maine started evaluating how it could provide better service to Maine taxpayers and reduce the overall cost of IT. The existing tax system, known as MATS (Maine Automated Tax System), was good and had many customizations, but it was showing its age.

Click here for read article.

2010 April COBOL to Java transformation now supported on IBM z/OS and System Z

SoftwareMining announces the availability of COBOL to Java Transformation for IBM z/OS and System z using JDK 1.4.2 to 1.6. Customers wishing to move from COBOL to Java now have the option of remaining on the mainframe platform.

Running Java on System z can significantly reduce the costs of running Java -oriented applications using the Application Assist Processor (zAAP). For Java workloads, zAAPs may enable customers to:

Click here for read article.

2009 November Softwaremining supports Pacific Tsunami Appeal

On the 29th of September an 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck at 17:48 GMT generating a 15ft tsunami wave. This disaster caused widespread destruction across the Pacific Islands of Samoa and Tonga.

On the 8th of November a rugby match is being played to raise both awareness and money for the victims of these islands. The money raised will be distributed direct to local communities. Michael Jones, ex Samoan and All Black International is coordinating a project to develop and rebuild schools in the region. For every £5,000 raised one new school can be built. As well as the rebuilding of the schools Michael will distribute money to the local communities to rebuild essential amenities and infrastructure.
If you would like to make a donation or attend the charity match on 8th November Click here .

London and Guildford, UK – October 2009 Software Mining announces new marketing agreements with TELEBIG in France and American Cybernetics Corporation (ACC) in North America. Both TELEBIG and ACC can boast strong penetration into government and other vertical markets with significant legacy infrastructures.
Click here to see the full press-release.

London and Guildford, UK – June 8th 2009 Software Mining Ltd and IPROS Software Ltd today announced that they have signed a global licensing agreement establishing IPROS as the exclusive distribution entity for the legacy modernization technologies developed by Software Mining. The new venture will use the softwareminingTM brand under exclusive license and continue to develop the technology.
Click here to see the full press-release.

The Diminishing Cobol skills – there is an alternative . It was recently reported that the government of California was having trouble implementing spending cuts because of a lack of skilled Cobol programmers. The state wanted to cut wages, but its payroll system is written in Cobol and the lack of Cobol resources made it difficult to effect the programming changes required ...

The article goes on to discuss benefits of modernization thru SoftwareMining's Automatic Migration Tools.

A US Tax office COBOL application has been translated to Java, tested and gone live. SoftwareMining technology was used for the translation of the Tax office's COBOL application to Java. The work was undertaken by Revenue Solutions Inc, a Systems Integrator specializing in Tax systems.

The Project Manager at Revenue Solutions said:

In 16 years of implementing complex tax systems, the MERITS project has been by far the most successful implementation to date. The translation of the COBOL code to JAVA using SoftwareMining's translation software was a tremendous success. RSI is an advocate of reengineering legacy systems that meet the majority of the user community's business needs, rather than recommending the wholesale replacement of a working system. Our experience of working with SoftwareMining reconfirmed our view that reengineering enables a business or government agency to reap the benefits of modern technology without the significant risk and cost associated with wholesale replacement

The article showcases SoftwareMining as the only company offering viable COBOL to Java / C# translation tools, and a true path to migration away from COBOL.

The full article and and introduction by Microsoft's Spyros Sakellariadis can be found at www.windowsfs.com .

Today's Financial Times published a Special Report on "Business Problems with Old Code" (page 6 - FT Digital Business Section). This lengthy article focuses on the imminent reduction in Legacy resources, reporting that, according to Gartner Group, by 2007 approx 50% of those with mainframe skills will be eligible for retirement.
The article is available on-line from: Programs written in old code pose business problems

The Financial Times also dedicates a section to SoftwareMining on the same page, and conducts interviews with Tim Hill - Sales & Marketing Director and Dr Cyrus Montakab , founder and Technical Director.
The article is available on-line at: Case study: Cobol to Java 'transformer' comes into its own

May 2005: IT In Depth Interview with SoftwareMining CTO

IT In-Depth with the byline of “where IBM big iron fans get their CICS”, is Website that specializes in technical analysis and news related to IBM sector data center issues. It is spearheaded by the well known, independent IBM watcher, Mr. Anura Guruge (who was Mr. SNA for over two decades) and regularly covers a wide spectrum of issues ranging from IBM's zAAP Java accelerator for mainframes to Grid computing initiatives by Globus – many of them in the form of exclusive, in-depth interviews.
As a part of an ongoing series on innovative SOA-based solutions, Dr. Cyrus Montakab, the founder and CEO of SoftWareMining was recently interviewed by “IT In-Depth” as to the role that its automated COBOL conversion technology can play when it comes to SOA and legacy modernization.

Feb 2005: SoftwareMining to Offer RPG To Java Translation Services

A forthcoming strategic partnership between SoftwareMining and eCube Systems (US) opens the doors to Migration of RPG applications to Java. The partnership is designed to help achieve a stepwise transformation of legacy applications into C# and Java platforms. This approach allows quick time to market of the front-end applications, whilst the back end systems are in midst of migration.

Jan 2005: SoftwareMining successfuly completes STRATUS COBOL to Java Translation Project for Financial Industry client.

Softwaremining starts translation STRATUS COBOL to Java.

Nov 2004: Major Indian Outsourcing Company standardises on use of SoftwareMining Tools for COBOL Migration Projects.

ZENSAR Technologies (INDA) - one of the top 25 indian companies signs agreements for use of SoftwareMining Tools and Services.

Oct 2004: SoftwareMining successfuly completes IBM COBOL/SHADOW TP to Java Translation project.

Translation IBM COBOL, SHADOW TP, 3270 Terminal Screens to Java.

June 2004: SoftwareMining successfuly completes IBM CICS TP to Java Translation for Media Client.

Translation IBM COBOL, CICS TP, BMS Screens to Java.

August 2004: Main Saudi HP Distributors and SoftwareMining agree to provide HP COBOL/MPE to Java translation to Saudi HP 3000 user base.

SoftwareMining starts translation of HP mpe 3000 COBOL with TurboImage and VPLUS Screens.

2003 News

SoftwareMining helps steer OMG Legacy Transformation Standards.

OMG, the technology standards body, has set up a new workgroup to address Legacy Transformation Standards issues. This is a reflection of OMGs view that Legacy Transformation issues are becoming significant and important, thus requiring the attention of a standards body.

SoftwareMining is a key member of this workgroup and is in a lead position to contribute and define such standards and provide solutions meeting industry standards specifications. The first RFP's will be convering standards on definitions, processes and exchange formats.

One of the vision of the Work Group is stated as:

"Legacy Transformation Standards will allow users to begin legacy transformation projects knowing that they do not depend exclusively on any one vendor, while ensuring that applications thus migrated will be again migrateable in the future (future proofing)."

SoftwareMining already practices/adheres to such vision by providing Platform Independent Models (PIM) for representation of structures discovered from the original application. Thus providing vendor independence, as well as future proofing the generated application.

SoftwareMining gain very favourable review in new Butler Group report.

Butler Group, the leading IT analyst company, is launching a new report on Application Consolidation. The report, due to be released in June 2003, features SoftwareMining in detail, with a very favourable analysis of the strengths of the company, its market and competitive position, technical product capability and potential for further growth. Direct quotes form the report will be featured here as soon as the report is published.

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