Dear Reader,
Full of energy, we are starting this new year! Finally, we can meet you again in person: at events and at your company. We very much hope to see you at SVA Mainframe Dayz and at the GSE Technical University. Look forward to the presentation of our washing machine for software.
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in dealing with legacy applications. Read in the current episode how the modernisation of legacy applications helps to reduce costs and risks.
We also have some product updates, new training dates and, of course, the highlights from 2022 for you.
We hope you enjoy reading and we are looking forward to a lively exchange.
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Support Information: New Product Versions available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- ADS 6 for COBOL (6.6.0)
- PostgreSQL - New Target for ADS 6 for COBOL
- ADS on Eclipse (8.1.1)
- ADS on Micro Focus (8.1.1)
For more information about the new features and improvements, please see the respective release notes and reference books in the support area of our website:
Support Information: New Product Versions available
Support Information: New Product Versions available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.1)
- PostgreSQL - New Target for ADS 6 for COBOL
- ADS on Eclipse (8.1.1)
- ADS on Micro Focus (8.1.1)
Delta ADS 6 for COBOL (6.6.1)
In this new release, we have implemented new functions and some changes. The generation has been further optimised.
PostgreSQL - New Target for ADS 6 for COBOL
Do you rely on PostgreSQL?
With Delta ADS release 6.6.0 we now offer you for this database system a new target for the generation of data services.
ADS on Eclipse (8.1.1)
With this new release you can now also define your own targets. The storage of the generation artefacts becomes more flexible. More information can be displayed in the console window and the navigation to the generator messages has been simplified. Furthermore, analysis data can now be created in MALIST format in addition to HTML format.
ADS on Micro Focus Enterprise Developer / Connect (8.1.1)
With this new release we support Micro Focus Enterprise Developer for Eclipse version 8. The installation of the basic components has been completely revised and simplified.
With this release you can now also define your own targets. The storage of the generation artefacts becomes more flexible. More information can be displayed in the console window and the navigation to the generator messages has been simplified. Furthermore, analysis data can now be created in MALIST format in addition to HTML format.
For more information about the new features and improvements, please see the respective release notes and reference books in the support area of our website.
Get information and updates right now. You’ll find the list of our current product versions here.
Let's meet Delta
COBOL and PL/I applications perform their service reliably every day. But the longer the applications live, the more dirt and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. Also, in the run-up to modernisation projects, it is advisable to clean-up applications in order to avoid errors and to reduce costs.
At the following events, we will report on how you can clean-up your applications in an agile way using a software washing machine:
- SVA Mainframe Dayz 2023 | 07.-08.03.2023, Wiesbaden (Germany)
- GSE Technical University - Mainframe Modernization | 20.-21.03.2023, Kassel (Germany)
By the way, the presented approach and technology is also perfectly suited for a safe, step-by-step modernisation of applications.
You cannot attend the events? We would be happy to present the AMELIO Software Washing Machine to you in a personal meeting. Simply get in touch with us.
Let's meet Delta
Let's meet Delta
COBOL and PL/I applications perform their service reliably every day. But the longer the applications live, the more dirt and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. Also, in the run-up to modernisation projects, it is advisable to clean-up applications in order to avoid errors and to reduce costs.
At the following events, we will report on how you can clean-up your applications in an agile way using a software washing machine:
- SVA Mainframe Dayz 2023 | 07.-08.03.2023, Wiesbaden (Germany)
- GSE Technical University - Mainframe Modernization | 20.-21.03.2023, Kassel (Germany)
By the way, the presented approach and technology is also perfectly suited for a safe, step-by-step modernisation of applications.
You cannot attend the events?
We would be happy to present the AMELIO Software Washing Machine to you in a personal meeting. Simply get in touch with us.
Iceberg Ahead: Hard to Port or Risk Minimization
Changing large, productive IT applications is associated with high costs, risks and an enormous amount of time. The race in the areas of agility, adaptability, and the adoption of new requirements is becoming increasingly difficult. The costs for the maintenance and further development of the application are increasing. The productive lifetime of business functions is often measured in decades. Technologies, on the other hand, have a much shorter lifespan. For such transformation projects, you therefore need flexible tools that change your applications in a targeted manner - without endangering functionality and thus the important day-to-day business.
Our colleague Hans Nickessen reports in his text "Hard to Port or Risk Minimization" about how modernization contributes to cost reduction.
Iceberg Ahead: Hard to Port or Risk Minimization
Iceberg Ahead: Hard to Port or Risk Minimization
Modernization of COBOL or PL/I applications
Changing large, productive IT applications is associated with high costs, risks and an enormous amount of time. The race in the areas of agility, adaptability, and the adoption of new requirements is becoming increasingly difficult. The costs for the maintenance and further development of the application are increasing. The productive lifetime of business functions is often measured in decades. Technologies, on the other hand, have a much shorter lifespan. For such transformation projects, you therefore need flexible tools that change your applications in a targeted manner - without endangering functionality and thus the important day-to-day business.
Our colleague Hans Nickessen reports in his text "Hard to Port or Risk Minimization" about how modernization contributes to cost reduction.
"Iceberg Ahead!" Here is the 4th part of the series:
Hard to Port or Risk Minimization - Reducing costs through modernization
Download Iceberg Ahead: Hard to Port or Risk Minimization - Reducing costs through modernization
Here you will find the first parts of the text series "Iceberg Ahead!":
- "Iceberg ahead: Assessment or how to assess and minimize the Risk of a Change" - (part 3):
https://delta-software.com/link.php?de=6339 - "How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg" - (part 1) &
"Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation" - (part 2):
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6335
New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
Anyone using tools to automate software development needs in-depth knowledge of the methods, modes of operation, and capabilities of the tools. And not just "in principle", but in relation to the concrete environment and task.
Our training courses and workshops help you to use Delta tools efficiently and to optimise the development of your applications: Practice-oriented and taking into account your main areas of interest.
ADS Basics - ADS for Administrators - ADS Refresher - ADS on Eclipse - ADS What's new
Contact us to discuss your requirements for a customised training.
Further information on training courses and workshops you will find here:
New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
Anyone using tools to automate software development needs in-depth knowledge of the methods, modes of operation, and capabilities of the tools. And not just "in principle", but in relation to the concrete environment and task.
Our training courses and workshops help you to use Delta tools efficiently and to optimise the development of your applications: Practice-oriented and taking into account your main areas of interest.
ADS Basics - ADS for Administrators - ADS Refresher - ADS on Eclipse - ADS What's new
Here you will find the new dates:
- 06.03.-08.03.2023 und 18.09.-20.09.2023 - ADS Basics
- 13.03.-15.03.2023 und 26.09.-27.09.2023 - ADS for Administrators
- 21.03.-22.03.2023 und 17.10.-18.10.2023 - ADS Refresher
- 04.04.-05.04.2023 und 24.10.-25.10.2023 - ADS on Eclipse
- 18.04.2023 und 07.11.2023 - ADS What’s new
- 25.04.2023 und 14.11.2023 - Delta DETAB
Learn more about our trainings and workshops ...
Contact us to discuss your requirements for a customised training.
Our Highlights in 2022
The pressure to reduce costs and at the same time increase flexibility is a permanent companion of IT departments. For our customers, especially for banks and insurance companies, this has brought the consolidation of database systems into focus. Our reports on the successful replacement of old database systems such as IBM IMS therefore met great interest.
Click here to get directly to the project reports:
- IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
- Provinzial achieves complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
Our Highlights in 2022
Our Highlights in 2022
The pressure to reduce costs and at the same time increase flexibility is a permanent companion of IT departments. For our customers, especially for banks and insurance companies, this has brought the consolidation of database systems into focus. Our reports on the successful replacement of old database systems such as IBM IMS therefore met great interest:
IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
Automatically migrating from IBM IMS DB to IBM Db2 was Gothaer Systems' task. Delta offered a solution consisting of know-how, suitable tools and services for this task. The entire migration project (45,000 sources, 447 IMS databases) ran smoothly and without downtime. Above all, Gothaer was able to further develop the applications in parallel.
At Gothaer, the replacement of old technologies is another step in its 'Smarter Mainframe' strategy to modernise its IT landscape. The full integration of today's operational systems on the host - in the context of new projects - is immensely facilitated and contributes decisively to the digitalisation and the accelerated implementation of new functional requirements.
Click here to read the complete project report.
Provinzial achieves complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland managed the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS DB to IBM Db2 for more than 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts in an automated and secure manner.
The migration from the extremely fast IMS databases, whose application programs are often precisely aligned with the storage structures, to the more flexible Db2 databases, which are suitable for ad-hoc queries, often leads to a loss of performance. Provinzial also feared this. However, due to the automated migration and the possibility to individually adapt the transformation rules, there were no performance losses. The specifications for the performance of the migrated applications were met to Provinzial's complete satisfaction.
Click here to read the complete project report.
Further Information
Old database technology causes high costs and makes it difficult to use new technologies for central and critical IT applications. Moreover, there are fewer and fewer developers and system engineers for the old technology. This is true for hierarchical databases like IBM IMS DB as well as for other non-relational databases.
We present ways to preserve the functionality of your applications and migrate to SQL databases without risk.
- Automatically replacing IBM IMS/DB
- Successfully Replace IMS Databases
- IBM IMS/DB? Modernization Now!
- Modernization Project at BSQ Bauspar AG
Let's talk about how to safely replace old database technology in your organisation.
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: NL21023.01
Content
- Support Information: New Product Versions available
- Let's meet Delta
- Iceberg Ahead: Hard to Port or Risk Minimization
- New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
- Our Highlights in 2022
The pressure to reduce costs and at the same time increase flexibility is a permanent companion of IT departments. For our customers, especially for banks and insurance companies, this has brought the consolidation of database systems into focus. Our reports on the successful replacement of old database systems such as IBM IMS therefore met great interest:
IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
Automatically migrating from IBM IMS DB to IBM Db2 was Gothaer Systems' task. Delta offered a solution consisting of know-how, suitable tools and services for this task. The entire migration project (45,000 sources, 447 IMS databases) ran smoothly and without downtime. Above all, Gothaer was able to further develop the applications in parallel.
At Gothaer, the replacement of old technologies is another step in its 'Smarter Mainframe' strategy to modernise its IT landscape. The full integration of today's operational systems on the host - in the context of new projects - is immensely facilitated and contributes decisively to the digitalisation and the accelerated implementation of new functional requirements.
Click here to read the complete project report.
Provinzial achieves complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland managed the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS DB to IBM Db2 for more than 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts in an automated and secure manner.
The migration from the extremely fast IMS databases, whose application programs are often precisely aligned with the storage structures, to the more flexible Db2 databases, which are suitable for ad-hoc queries, often leads to a loss of performance. Provinzial also feared this. However, due to the automated migration and the possibility to individually adapt the transformation rules, there were no performance losses. The specifications for the performance of the migrated applications were met to Provinzial's complete satisfaction.
Click here to read the complete project report.
Further Information
Old database technology causes high costs and makes it difficult to use new technologies for central and critical IT applications. Moreover, there are fewer and fewer developers and system engineers for the old technology. This is true for hierarchical databases like IBM IMS DB as well as for other non-relational databases.
We present ways to preserve the functionality of your applications and migrate to SQL databases without risk.
- Automatically replacing IBM IMS/DB
- Successfully Replace IMS Databases
- IBM IMS/DB? Modernization Now!
- Modernization Project at BSQ Bauspar AG
Let's talk about how to safely replace old database technology in your organisation.
Dear Reader,
Do you have proven applications that you have nurtured for decades and are planning to modernize? With AMELIO you can prepare your modernization project and implement it successfully and automatically.
Learn today how
- AMELIO Logic Discovery helps you to understand your applications again and prepare them for refactoring.
- you can reduce costs and risks of your modernization and migration project with the AMELIO Modernization Platform.
- we used the AMELIO Modernization Platform at Provinzial to successfully migrate the application from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2.
In the text series “Iceberg ahead”, our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in handling legacy applications. Read in the current episode how a tailormade assessement will contribute to the success of your modernisation project.
We hope you enjoy reading,
Your Delta Software Technology Team
IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration
"Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta"
Migration from IMS/DB to Db2? Completely? Automated?
Provinzial has mastered this step together with Delta.
How? We presented this in our lecture at the IMS Guide on 20th September, which finally was a live meeting again.
Would you like to know how Provinzial made this step together with Delta, but you couldn't be there? Then get in touch with us. We would be happy to present the proposed approach to you in a personal meeting.
The slides presented and the accompanying SuccessStory can be found here:
IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration
IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration
97th IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration (Autumn Conference)
- Date: September 20-21, 2022
- Location: Munster, Germany
Daniela Schilling (CEO, Delta Software Technology) presented:
"DINO: From IBM IMS/DB to Db2 - Provinzial realizes complete Migration"
IBM IMS/DB to Db2 Migration? Completely? Automated?
Provinzial made the move along with Delta.
In our lecture we have shown you how "DINO: From IBM IMS/DB to Db2 - Provinzial realizes complete Migration" on September 20th on the IMS Guide in Munster.
More about the GSE working group: BSMSD - IMS System Administration
You can find more information about the success story here.
Update: You couldn't attend? Here are the presented slides:
Download Language: Englisch - Version: 01
Set of slides for '97th IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration':
IBM IMS/DB to Db2 Migration? Completely? Automated?
Provinzial made the move along with Delta.
AMELIO Logic Discovery - Procedures and Functions in COBOL
COBOL does not have procedures and functions.
Nevertheless, AMELIO Logic Discovery identifies logical procedures and functions in COBOL applications and thus helps to re-understand the application and to prepare a refactoring.
You can find more information here:
AMELIO Logic Discovery - Procedures and Functions in COBOL
AMELIO Logic Discovery - Procedures and Functions in COBOL
COBOL does not have procedures and functions.
Nevertheless, AMELIO Logic Discovery identifies logical procedures and functions in COBOL applications and thus helps to re-understand the application and to prepare a refactoring.
You can find more information here:
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21080.02
The various analysis of AMELIO Logic Discovery detect implicit information and relationships and present the results in a clear and understandable way.
Read more
AMELIO Modernization Platform slashes Risks and Costs for Modernization and Migration
Changes across all existing applications belong to the permanent tasks of the IT departments in large enterprises. If thousands of modules of the productive application systems have to be changed, the answers to the following questions are essential:
- How can you ensure the consistency and quality of the changes?
- How do you avoid blocking other projects by the changes?
- How do you integrate the changes from other projects into the mass changes?
- How do you guarantee the security and stability of the productive systems?
- How do you get the expenditure under control as well as the costs and the temporal organisation for testing?
For the modernization of your legacy applications you should know the possibilities of AMELIO:
AMELIO Modernization Platform slashes Risks and Costs for Modernization and Migration
AMELIO Modernization Platform slashes Risks and Costs for Modernization and Migration
Changes across all existing applications belong to the permanent tasks of the IT departments in large enterprises. They are initiated by new IT strategies, changed business processes, legal regulations which must be met by given deadlines, and the like. If thousands of modules of the productive application systems have to be changed, the answers to the following questions are essential:
- How can you ensure the consistency and quality of the changes?
- How do you avoid blocking other projects by the changes?
- How do you integrate the changes from other projects into the mass changes?
- How do you guarantee the security and stability of the productive systems?
- How do you get the expenditure under control as well as the costs and the temporal organisation for testing?
AMELIO Modernization Platform drastically reduces the risks and costs of platform changes, application modernisations and database migrations because AMELIO completely automates the changes.
100% Automation with AMELIO Modernization Platform
AMELIO Modernization Platform is a perfectly tailored factory that completely automates extensive and complex changes of large applications – 100%.
- AMELIO changes the code consistently, reproducibly and absolutely error-free.
- AMELIO documents all decisions and changes audit proven.
- AMELIO supplies easily maintainable code for the further development.
- AMELIO enormously reduces the test expenditure.
The capabilities and the efficiency of AMELIO open up absolutely new possibilities for planning and conducting large projects.
- Project strategies can be verified with the entire volume.
- Other projects are not blocked.
- Transformation schedules can be selected at will, freeze periods are extremely short.
These are only a few of the advantages that AMELIO offers.
You can learn more about the AMELIO Modernization Platform on our Web site.
Latest Projects with AMELIO
IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
Gothaer Systems migrates its IBM IMS Databases to IBM Db2 together with Delta Software Technology.
Automatically migrating from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 was Gothaer Systems' task. The goal of operating only one database system on the mainframe brought Gothaer Systems and Delta Software Technology together. Delta offered the solution of know-how, suitable tools and services for this task. By building a tailor-made factory with the AMELIO Modernization Platform, the necessary steps for the transformation could be implemented automated, well calculated and at low risk.
“By migrating from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 together with Delta, we have successfully mastered the next big step in the ‘Smarter Mainframe’ project.”
Burkhard Oppenberg, CIO, Gothaer Systems
Read here the Success-Story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6314
Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland finished the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2, automated and securely, of over 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts.
Due to the volume of the Provinzial application systems, the amount and complexity of the required changes, the tight schedule as well as their experiences with the manual conversion of some programs and databases, Provinzial decided on a tailor-made and fully automated solution with the tools from Delta Software Technology.
Read here the Success-Story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6329
RDW Removes Technical Debts using Delta’s Automated Solution
Existing applications have accumulated a lot of technical debt over the years. Removing it could speed up maintenance significantly. In reality the task of improve the software by removing the obsolete parts is seldom performed. The risk of introducing errors and the cost of testing is the biggest reason for not doing anything.
RDW has been able to take up the task of removing technical debt in a secure manner. Delta’s AMELIO Modernization Platform plays a key role in this endeavour.
You can find out more about the project here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6319
Large Financial Service Provider Succeeds in Secure Platform Change with AMELIO
Away from the Mainframe at the Push of a Button: Delta’s AMELIO Modernization Platform Enables Large Building Society to Replace Platforms Securely
A leading building society consolidates its platforms and has therefore replaced their IBM mainframe with Red Hat Linux. The migration of the central, strongly interconnected applications, however, involved particular risks, e.g., due to parallel changes and further development. Also, the performance in the new environment was a major concern. With the AMELIO tools from Delta Software Technology, this company successfully migrated its highly critical core application.
The project management particularly praised the good cooperation with the manufacturer. Delta offered the project at a fixed price and was nevertheless very flexible in responding to special requests. Due to the good cooperation with Delta, the transformed application exactly meets the company's requirements.
You can find out more about the project here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6320
You Would Like to Know More?
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about how the AMELIO Modernization Platform can help you to conduct changes to your applications securely, reliably, error-free and 100% automated. If you have large legacy applications in your organisation you certainly show know about the possibilities with AMELIO.
Iceberg Ahead ...
Your COBOL or PL/I applications contain enormous investments, a lot of company-specific know-how and decades of experience. If such an application must be cleaned-up, refactored, modernized or transformed, extensive knowledge of the application is absolutely mandatory. A tailor-made assessment helps you to reliably evaluate the measures, procedures and risks of your modernisation project.
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in handling legacy applications.
Read in the current episode how a tailor-made assessment contributes to the success of your modernisation project.
Iceberg Ahead ...
Iceberg Ahead ...
Your COBOL or PL/I applications contain enormous investments, a lot of company-specific know-how and decades of experience. Extensive knowledge about the application is necessary, if such an application should be be refurbished, refactored, modernized, transformed. A tailor-made assessment helps you to reliably evaluate the measures, procedures and risks of your modernisation project.
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in handling legacy applications.
Read in the current episode how a tailor-made assessment contributes to the success of your modernisation project.
"Iceberg Ahead!" Here is the 3rd part of the series:
Iceberg ahead: Assessment or how to assess and minimize the Risk of a Change
A tailor-made assessment of your application offers the possibility of reliably determining the critical points and evaluating them precisely. This avoids the risk of your modernization projects getting out of hand in terms of budget and target date.
Download Iceberg Ahead: Assessment or how to assess and minimize the Risk of a Change
"Iceberg ahead!" here is part 1 & 2 of the series:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6335
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: NL21022.04
Content
- IMS Guide - GSE AK IMS System Administration
- AMELIO Logic Discovery - Procedures and Functions in COBOL
- AMELIO Modernization Platform slashes Risks and Costs for Modernization and Migration
- Iceberg Ahead ...
Changes across all existing applications belong to the permanent tasks of the IT departments in large enterprises. They are initiated by new IT strategies, changed business processes, legal regulations which must be met by given deadlines, and the like. If thousands of modules of the productive application systems have to be changed, the answers to the following questions are essential:
- How can you ensure the consistency and quality of the changes?
- How do you avoid blocking other projects by the changes?
- How do you integrate the changes from other projects into the mass changes?
- How do you guarantee the security and stability of the productive systems?
- How do you get the expenditure under control as well as the costs and the temporal organisation for testing?
AMELIO Modernization Platform drastically reduces the risks and costs of platform changes, application modernisations and database migrations because AMELIO completely automates the changes.
100% Automation with AMELIO Modernization Platform
AMELIO Modernization Platform is a perfectly tailored factory that completely automates extensive and complex changes of large applications – 100%.
- AMELIO changes the code consistently, reproducibly and absolutely error-free.
- AMELIO documents all decisions and changes audit proven.
- AMELIO supplies easily maintainable code for the further development.
- AMELIO enormously reduces the test expenditure.
The capabilities and the efficiency of AMELIO open up absolutely new possibilities for planning and conducting large projects.
- Project strategies can be verified with the entire volume.
- Other projects are not blocked.
- Transformation schedules can be selected at will, freeze periods are extremely short.
These are only a few of the advantages that AMELIO offers.
You can learn more about the AMELIO Modernization Platform on our Web site.
Latest Projects with AMELIO
IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
Gothaer Systems migrates its IBM IMS Databases to IBM Db2 together with Delta Software Technology.
Automatically migrating from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 was Gothaer Systems' task. The goal of operating only one database system on the mainframe brought Gothaer Systems and Delta Software Technology together. Delta offered the solution of know-how, suitable tools and services for this task. By building a tailor-made factory with the AMELIO Modernization Platform, the necessary steps for the transformation could be implemented automated, well calculated and at low risk.
“By migrating from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 together with Delta, we have successfully mastered the next big step in the ‘Smarter Mainframe’ project.”
Burkhard Oppenberg, CIO, Gothaer Systems
Read here the Success-Story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6314
Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland finished the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2, automated and securely, of over 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts.
Due to the volume of the Provinzial application systems, the amount and complexity of the required changes, the tight schedule as well as their experiences with the manual conversion of some programs and databases, Provinzial decided on a tailor-made and fully automated solution with the tools from Delta Software Technology.
Read here the Success-Story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6329
RDW Removes Technical Debts using Delta’s Automated Solution
Existing applications have accumulated a lot of technical debt over the years. Removing it could speed up maintenance significantly. In reality the task of improve the software by removing the obsolete parts is seldom performed. The risk of introducing errors and the cost of testing is the biggest reason for not doing anything.
RDW has been able to take up the task of removing technical debt in a secure manner. Delta’s AMELIO Modernization Platform plays a key role in this endeavour.
You can find out more about the project here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6319
Large Financial Service Provider Succeeds in Secure Platform Change with AMELIO
Away from the Mainframe at the Push of a Button: Delta’s AMELIO Modernization Platform Enables Large Building Society to Replace Platforms Securely
A leading building society consolidates its platforms and has therefore replaced their IBM mainframe with Red Hat Linux. The migration of the central, strongly interconnected applications, however, involved particular risks, e.g., due to parallel changes and further development. Also, the performance in the new environment was a major concern. With the AMELIO tools from Delta Software Technology, this company successfully migrated its highly critical core application.
The project management particularly praised the good cooperation with the manufacturer. Delta offered the project at a fixed price and was nevertheless very flexible in responding to special requests. Due to the good cooperation with Delta, the transformed application exactly meets the company's requirements.
You can find out more about the project here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6320
You Would Like to Know More?
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about how the AMELIO Modernization Platform can help you to conduct changes to your applications securely, reliably, error-free and 100% automated. If you have large legacy applications in your organisation you certainly show know about the possibilities with AMELIO.
Dear Reader,
Are there dino's and crocofants hiding in your apllications? Let us team up to fight your technology zoo: replace outdated by modern technologies or consolidate different tecnologies in an automated way.
Experience how you can regain knowledge over your legacy applications, support a know-how transfer or prepare a modernization project, with AMELIO Logic Discovery's new release.
All these, and more ideas about how to treat legacy applications, are summarized in a text series 'Iceberg ahead' by our colleague Hans Nickessen.
We also have released ADS on Visual Studio 2022 for you.
We wish you happy reading,
Your Delta Software Technology Team
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Understanding COBOL and PL/I
Which developer doesn't want that:
A clear presentation for large and complex applications, so that one can understand the logic and implementation simply and directly?
Learn how AMELIO Logic Discovery helps you understand complex applications, document knowledge and support knowledge transfer.
On July 23rd, 2022 we released a new release and a new flyer of AMELIO Logic Discovery.
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Understanding COBOL and PL/I
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Understanding COBOL and PL/I
Which developer doesn't want that:
A clear presentation for large and complex applications, so that one can understand the logic and implementation simply and directly?
Learn how AMELIO Logic Discovery helps you understand complex applications, document knowledge and support knowledge transfer.
On July 23rd, 2022 we released a new release and a new flyer of AMELIO Logic Discovery.
More information here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6953
Hunting the Technology Zoo
Automated Technology Change with AMELIO Modernization Platform
Does your application also contain technology crocofants or dinosaurs?
So, does it contain different technologies for the same task or outdated technologies that make it difficult to maintain and further develop the application efficiently or even prevent modernization?
Then we will show you here how we can tidy up your technology zoo with AMELIO and consolidate and exchange technologies in an automated way - parallel to ongoing operations.
Read our article about this:
Hunting the Technology Zoo
Hunting the Technology Zoo
Automated Technology Change with AMELIO Modernization Platform
Does your application also contain technology crocofants or dinosaurs?
So, does it contain different technologies for the same task or outdated technologies that make it difficult to maintain and further develop the application efficiently or even prevent modernization?
Then we will show you here how we can tidy up your technology zoo with AMELIO and consolidate and exchange technologies in an automated way - parallel to ongoing operations.
Read our article about this:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6328
Delta ADS Plugin for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 available
With ADS on Visual Studio you can now standardize your working environments for the application development. ADS on Visual Studio smoothly integrates all ADS tools into your development environment.
This plugin is now also available for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022.
In addition to Visual Studio, plug-ins for Eclipse-based development environments are also available such as Micro Focus Enterprise Developer for z. The ADS plugins are Delta's modern integrated development environment (IDE) for the efficient development and maintenance of COBOL and PL/I applications with Delta ADS.
Further information can be found here:
Delta ADS Plugin for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 available
Delta ADS Plugin for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 available
With ADS on Visual Studio you can now standardize your working environments for the application development. ADS on Visual Studio smoothly integrates all ADS tools into your development environment.
This plugin is now also available for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022.
In addition to Visual Studio, plug-ins for Eclipse-based development environments are also available such as Micro Focus Enterprise Developer for z. The ADS plugins are Delta's modern integrated development environment (IDE) for the efficient development and maintenance of COBOL and PL/I applications with Delta ADS.
Further information can be found here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6306
Bedag: Same Development Environment for Different Programming Languages
A uniform process control and development environment for the different programming languages is the goal of many enterprises. The Bedag Informatik AG modernizes its development environment and combines the (Viacar) development in C# and Delta ADS for COBOL in a .NET framework under Microsoft Visual Studio.
Read more here:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=6291
Iceberg ahead ...
- Are your COBOL or PL/I specialists retiring?
- "Old" programs are no longer understandable?
- Do you want or need to leave the mainframe?
- JAVA is the new strategy?
In his series, our colleague Hans Nickessen explains his view on possible strategies for efficient, secure and cost-effective knowledge transfer, a platform change or application modernization.
"Iceberg Ahead!" here is the start of the series:
Iceberg ahead ...
Iceberg ahead ...
- Are your COBOL or PL/I specialists retiring?
- "Old" programs are no longer understandable?
- Do you want or need to leave the mainframe?
- JAVA is the new strategy?
In his series, our colleague Hans Nickessen explains his view on possible strategies for efficient, secure and cost-effective knowledge transfer, a platform change or application modernization.
"Iceberg Ahead!" Here is the start of the series:
Iceberg ahead: How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg
What to do if your specialists retire? If app developers show a presentable App on a tablet within a very short time or the accounting department shakes its head about the maintenance invoice for the mainframe again? If the management also questions everything strategically, it is time for you to act. Your job is to avoid the iceberg ahead. In this five-part series you can read how you can futureproof your “old” applications without hitting the iceberg.
Download Iceberg ahead: How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg
Iceberg ahead: Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation (Part 2)
These three procedures are the prerequisite for securing the investments you have made so far, maintaining your applications efficiently and using them optimally. And finally, to successfully modernize these applications and keep them future-proof.
Download Iceberg ahead: Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation (Part 2)
Download Newsletter
Download Newsletter - Thursday, 11th August 2022
Dear Reader,
When the existing doesn't really fit anymore and thwarts new development, the call for "We'll make everything new with ..." is quickly heard. But, it is worth taking a closer look: Why should everything be redone if the basic functionality of the applications has proven its worth and does not change? What exactly is bothering you? And can the desired goals perhaps be achieved much faster with a targeted modernisation?
Instead of making everything new, the insurance group Provinzial Rheinland decided to migrate their proven applications from IBM IMS/DB to Db2 in cooperation with Delta. They thus created future security and, above all, freedom for new development much faster than with a re-implementation of the existing functionality. Read more in our report.
And thinking even further: Can targeted modernisation become part of the normal development process? At the workshop "Software Reengineering & Evolution" of the German Informatics Society (Gesellschaft für Informatik - GI), we presented a sustainable solution and its practical utilisation by a customer. Read the detailed article about the "Washing Machine that Automatically Cleans up Technical Debts".
We have also provided a new version of our generative development system Delta ADS for you.
We wish you an insightful read and look forward to your enquiries and feedback.
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
"The Delta solution has its advantages in two points that are particularly important to us: Due to the complete automation of the transformation, the ongoing development of the system, as requested by the business, was uninterrupted during the entire project. Due to the in-place migration and a parallel operation concept, we achieved absolute security and quality during the migration. The guaranteed operational “smoothness” in the project, despite the complex modernization, is certainly a unique feature of the solution."
Stephan Kaiser, Program ‘sponsor’ Provinzial.
Furthermore, how did Provinzial and Delta overcome the hurdles of the paradigm change without changing the application logic or compromising performance?
Read here the Success-Story:
Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland finished the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2, automated and securely, of over 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts.
Provinzial: Its Modernization Strategy
On their website, the Provinzial Rheinland writes: “Insurances are not sexy – we know that. But it is wise to make provisions.” And further: “The goal of our employees in the office and in the field service: create freedom in the lives of our customers by ensuring a holistic security.” The Provinzial also acts in the same way when modernizing their IT: Create good provision, security and freedom.
Download Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
“The Delta solution has its advantages in two points that are particularly important to us: Due to the complete automation of the transformation, the ongoing development of the system, as requested by the business, was uninterrupted during the entire project. Due to the in-place migration and a parallel operation concept, we achieved absolute security and quality during the migration. The guaranteed operational “smoothness” in the project, despite the complex modernization, is certainly a unique feature of the solution.”
Stephan Kaiser, Program ‘sponsor’ Provinzial
The central IT systems of insurance company Provinzial Rheinland (Provinzial) are self-developed applications on an IBM mainframe. In the medium term, Provinzial wants to move to an open platform (UNIX/Linux). The first step in their modernization strategy is to migrate all applications and data from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2.
Due to the volume of the Provinzial application systems, the amount and complexity of the required changes, the tight schedule as well as their experiences with the manual conversion of some programs and databases, Provinzial decided on a tailor-made and fully automated solution with the tools from Delta Software Technology (Delta).
The Project DINO
The Project DINO
Migration of the central applications and data from IBM IMS/DB à IBM Db2
- Data model transformation
- Application transformation
- Data migration
Sources
- More than 16,500 COBOL programs
- More than 20,000 copybooks
- 25 million lines of primary code
- Expanded more than 70 million lines of code
- More than 16,000 data accesses
- More than 75 IMS databases
Hurdles
- Paradigm change from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2
- High complexity and high degree of networking of applications
- Application logic was not allowed to be changed
- Parallel further development and maintenance
- Performance
The DINO has been designed using resources from pixabay.com
Successful Migration with Delta
With Delta’s solution, Provinzial was able to successfully migrate all applications and data completely and absolutely secure from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 and … at a fixed price.
These advantages of the Delta solution were particularly important for Provinzial:
- Tailor-made solution: Provinzial was free to design the new data model and choose between alternative transformations. This allowed them to directly influence the performance of the applications and ensure that the new data model would be fit for the future.
- Complete replacement of IMS/DB: No emulation, but clean applications as if they had originally been developed with IBM Db2.
- No Freeze: The repeatability of the processes allows the undisturbed parallel further development and maintenance of the modules that will be transformed; blockade times were eliminated.
- Maximum security: This was ensured by the rule-based and automated implementation of all changes, meta-level tests (verification of the transformation rules and complete testing of the transformation results prior to the actual modification of the sources) as well as a continuous, completely closed process (“clean room”) from the analysis to the transformation - instead of implementation “by human hand”.
- Flexibility: Data and application transformation were decoupled and could be performed independently of each other.
- No “point of no-return”: In the case of new recognitions, extensions of the set of rules or new program versions, modules that had already been converted simply went through the transformation process again.
- Audit-proof: Every application and data transformation were automatically and completely documented.
- No follow-up costs, no “footprint”, no “vendor lock-in”: After project completion, there are no licensing or maintenance costs for tools or new runtime components.
- Implementation in-budget at a fixed price
“We were impressed by the efficiency and flexibility the AMELIO factory was set up and continuously optimised with. The very good and close cooperation with the Delta managers and employees also contributed significantly to the success of the project.”
Ralf Prediger, Provinzial Project manager
The Highlights of the Delta Solution
The change from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 is a paradigm change that affects not only the storage of data, but also the entire program logic for the data accesses in all applications. In addition to the data transformation, extensive changes to the programs were therefore necessary. However, the functionality, interfaces and data structures were not allowed to be changed.
The following highlights describe how Delta met Provinzial’s high requirements.
Clean Relational Data Model and Migration of the Data
Due to the technological differences of the database models, implicit definitions of the accesses, structural features and others, a 1:1 transformation of the hierarchical system IBM IMS/DB to the relational IBM Db2 is not possible.
Delta determined the IMS data model that was actually used in the sources and data structures as well as all dependencies and interrelationships. A proposal for the new IBM Db2 data model was automatically generated from this information. On this basis, the experts at Provinzial developed the new relational data model, that will also meet future requirements.
The data model and the mapping rules created by Delta provided the basis for the transformation of the data as well as for the generation of the IBM Db2 accesses, so that changes to the data model automatically and identically affected the application and data transformation.
Service programs generated with Delta ADS were used to migrate the data from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2.
Fully automated transformation with AMELIO Modernization Platform
In an iterative process, Delta built a customised transformation factory for Provinzial with the AMELIO Modernization Platform. This factory works rule-based and fully automated according to a clean room concept. All changes are implemented consistently and audit-proof in all sources without any manual interventions. The transformations were perfectly tailored to the requirements of the project. Operational features, standards or special implementation rules for the performance improvement were also considered.
The complete automation of the transformation guarantees maximum security on the one hand, and on the other hand it enables flexibility and short reaction times for new requirements. In addition, the testing effort is drastically reduced by the rule-based working method.
Implementation of Data Services
Data services were automatically generated for the accesses to IBM Db2. They deliver the data and status values exactly as required by the programs - despite the paradigm change.
The logic of the programs and the interfaces were not changed, naming conventions and programming guidelines were considered. The decoupling of application and data accesses has the additional advantage that changes to the data model must not have any effect on the programs.
Extra Security and Flexibility through Special In-Place Migration
The migration was performed step by step as a so-called in-place migration. For this purpose, all data accesses were performed simultaneously on both database systems, i.e. for IBM IMS/DB and also for IBM Db2. For control purposes, a switch system was implemented that would have allowed the re-activation of the old system in production at the push of a button at any time in the case of an error. In this way, all data could be compared automatically and all programs could be verified - and not only in the test environments, but also in the productive environments.
Subsequently, AMELIO CleanUp Factory was used to remove again all code components for accessing IBM IMS/DB and for the switch control of the in-place migration step. The result is clean sources, just as if they had originally been developed for IBM Db2.
“Thanks to Delta's transformation strategy, Provinzial succeeded in migrating absolutely securely from IBM IMS to IBM Db2. At the same time, this solution gave us absolute flexibility, as components that had already been transformed and those that had not yet been transformed could be used productively together without any problems.”
Ralf Prediger, Project Manager of Provinzial
Performance
The change from extremely fast IMS databases, whose application programs are often precisely aligned with the storage structures, to the more flexible Db2 databases, which are suitable for ad-hoc requests, often leads to losses in performance. Provinzial also feared this. However, due to the automated migration and the possibility to individually adapt the transformation rules, there were no performance losses. The specifications for the performance of the migrated applications were met to Provinzial’s complete satisfaction: A goal that was achieved in particular thanks to the good cooperation with the Provinzial project team.
Delta Tools for Tailor-made fully automated Migration
The following tools from Delta Software Technology were used for the fully automated transformation of the applications and migration of the data:
- AMELIO Logic Discovery
The comprehensive assessment of the applications with AMELIO Logic Discovery provided the information on all the project's sticking points, for the migration strategy, a precise planning and the reliable cost calculation. - AMELIO Modernization Platform
The tailor-made, fully automated transformation with AMELIO Modernisation Platform guaranteed the consistent and audit-proof migration of the applications.
In this project, AMELIO was also used to gain additional security and flexibility in the project through in-place migration. - AMELIO CleanUp Factory
Clean, fully automated removal of all superfluous code. - Delta ADS
Automatic generation of the data transformers for the migration of all data from IBM IMS to IBM Db2.
The Company Provinzial
The Provinzial Group is a public insurance group. With a gross premium volume of more than 6 billion Euros, it is one of the ten largest German insurers. The former Provinzial Rheinland Versicherung AG (Provinzial Versicherung AG since the end of 2021 following the merger with the westfälische Provinzial), which is headquartered in Düsseldorf, offers its private and corporate customers products and advice on all insurance topics, including home, liability, motor vehicle, accident, life, pension, occupational disability, health, long-term care, legal protection, and more.
Download Success-Story
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21096.01
With the tools and services from Delta Software Technology, Provinzial Rheinland finished the complete application and data migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2, automated and securely, of over 75 IBM IMS databases and over 36,000 artefacts.
Read more
Further Informations
Hier finden Sie weitere Artikel zum Thema:
- Gothaer Systems starts migrating its IBM IMS Databases
- Automatically replacing IBM IMS/DB
- Successfully Replace IMS Databases
- IBM IMS/DB? Modernization Now!
- Modernization Project at BSQ Bauspar AG
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21092.01
Together with Delta Software Technology GmbH, Gothaer Systems is consolidating its IMS databases into IBM DB2.
Read moreDownload Language: Englisch - Version: MT21082.01
Safe Replacement of IMS Databases: How to Succeed!
Read more
24th GI Workshop "Software-Reengineering & Evolution"
Dr. Daniela Schilling presented a concept and the solution as well as its utilisation by Delta's client RDW in order to make applications quickly and safely fit for the future at the 24th Software Reengineering & Evolution workshop of the German Informatics Society's (GI) special interest group on Software Reengineering (SRE):
"A Washing Machine for Software - Automated Clean-up of Technical Debts"
What does a sustainable strategy for eliminating technical debts look like?
RDW has been developing and maintaining its core backend applications for more than 30 years. The applications run reliably, but over time technical debts have accumulated, making maintenance and further development difficult. RDW and Delta have jointly developed a sustainable solution to this problem: A washing machine that automatically cleans the software from the technical debts.
Read here how to get your software cleaned up:
24th GI Workshop
24th GI Workshop "Software-Reengineering & Evolution"
The 24th Workshop "Software Reengineering & Evolution" of the GI specialist Group Software Reengineering (SRE) took place this year from May 2nd to 4th, 2022.
GI: 24th Workshop Software-Reengineering & Evolution
02.-04. May 2022, Bad Honnef, Germany
Dr. Daniela Schilling presented a concept and the solution as well as its utilisation by Delta's client RDW in order to make applications quickly and safely fit for the future at the 24th Software Reengineering & Evolution workshop of the German Informatics Society's (GI) special interest group on Software Reengineering (SRE):
"A Washing Machine for Software - Automated Clean-up of Technical Debts"
Abstract
RDW has been developing and maintaining vehicle management applications for more than 30 years. The applications work reliably, but over time technical debts have accumulated that make maintenance and further development difficult. The daily business as well as the size and criticality of the application do not allow a manual clean-up of the software. The solution of the problem: a washing machine that automatically cleans the software from the technical debts.
Download Text
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21100.01
RDW has been developing and maintaining its core business applications for over 30 years. The applications work reliably, but over time technical debts have accumulated that make maintenance and further development difficult. The daily business as well as the size and criticality of the application do not allow a manual clean-up of the software. The solution for the problem: a washing machine that performs an automated cleaning of the software from its technical debts.
Read moreOur Speaker
Dr. Daniela Schilling
Dr. Daniela Schilling is Managing Director of Delta Software Technology.
Further Information
“The Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI) is the largest and most important professional society for computer science in the German-speaking world. It represents the interests of computer scientists in science, business, public administration, society and politics. Become part of this lively network!”
Further information on the event can be found here:
https://fg-sre.gi.de/veranstaltung/24-workshop-software-reengineering-evolution
You couldn't attend? Then contact us, we would be happy to meet you for a personal discussion.
Suitable for this...
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21093.02
Existing applications have accumulated a lot of technical debt over the years. Removing it could speed up maintenance significantly. In reality the task of improve the software by removing the obsolete parts is seldom performed. The risk of introducing errors and the cost of testing is the biggest reason for not doing anything.
Read more
Support Information: New Product Version of Delta ADS available
We have released a new version of our generative development system Delta ADS for COBOL. With the release 6.5.1 a new optimisation option for the code generation has been implemented:
Using the option OPT-L, you can have the control code for iterations be optimised.
Do you already know the option OPT-O?
Using this option will optimise the generation of control statement and thus will minimises the generation of GOTOs.
You will find further information on new functions and corrections in the respective release notes in the support area of our website ...
Support Information: New Product Version of Delta ADS available
Support Information: New Product Version of Delta ADS available
We have released a new version of our generative development system Delta ADS for COBOL. With the release 6.5.1 a new optimisation option for the code generation has been implemented:
Using the option OPT-L, you can have the control code for iterations be optimised.
Do you already know the option OPT-O?
Using this option will optimise the generation of control statement and thus will minimises the generation of GOTOs.
In addition, we have released a new version of our plugin ADS on Micro Focus Enterprise Developer (7.2.4).
You can find more information about new features and fixes in the release notes at the support area of our website.
Get information and updates right now. You’ll find the list of our current product versions here.
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: NL21022.02
Content
- Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
- 24th GI Workshop "Software-Reengineering & Evolution"
- Support Information: New Product Version of Delta ADS available