Dear Reader,
Do you know exactly what your core applications do and how? Is the existing knowledge sufficient for a secure and efficient maintenance and further development? Do you feel well equipped for modernization or replacement? No? Then we have solutions for you.
AMELIO Logic Discovery helps you to (re)understand your applications, to pass on knowledge about the applications from one generation of developers to the next and to prepare and successfully implement clean-up, modernization or replacement projects. In the second part of our webinar series "Icebergs ahead!", we demonstrated knowledge recovery with AMELIO Logic Discovery. At the SVA Mainframe Dayz we will also introduce you to AMELIO Logic Discovery according to the motto "When the English dictionary is not enough - understanding COBOL applications".
You can refresh and expand your knowledge of our development technology with our Delta ADS training courses.
We also invite you to join us for the next part of our webinar series on automated application clean-up.
We hope you enjoy reading.
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and cleanup Applications!'
We would like to invite you to our next webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and cleanup Applications!' on March 26th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CET.
Please join us when we use the story of the mighty Titanic again to show you how to avoid todays challenges in application modernization and get around the tricky icebergs on it’s way.
Of course. It is always a good idea to avoid icebergs, as the Titanic taught us over 100 years ago. But did you know that there are icebergs in today’s application modernization? During the third episode of the webinar series “Icebergs ahead”, we will would like to show you how easy it can be to safely cleanup and tidy your applications with us.
Please join us on this journey on March 26th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CET.
Come along and book your free ticket directly here:
Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and cleanup Applications!'
Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and cleanup Applications!'
Webinar Part 4: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: Modernize - Make Applications future-proof!' on May 13th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CET.
Looking ahead to Part 4 of the Titanic Webinar Series Analyze - CleanUp - MODERNIZE. Due to the Easter holidays, the next part will happen on May 7th, 2025, at 11:00 AM. In this part, we will introduce you to the concept of the AMELIO Modernization Platform.
A customized factory for modernizing large IT applications. 100% automated and therefore secure, reliable, and error-free. Whether it's architectural transformation, migration, or mass change.
We look forward to your participation.
Come along and book your free ticket directly here:
If you prefer to participate the webinar in german (07.05.2025), register here.
P.S.: If you missed the first part, get the recording here...
Part 3 from March 26th, 2025
Review: Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!'
On March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., the time had come. Part 3 of our webinar series: "ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!" aired and the list of attendees was impressive.
Icebergs are best avoided, as the Titanic taught us over 100 years ago. There are icebergs in application modernization, too. In the third episode of the webinar "Icebergs Ahead," we showed you how you can safely clean up your applications with us.
Anyone who thinks that cleanup is just about finding dead code is thinking too narrowly. We'll go further ahead and provide you with a variety of practical options for cleaning up legacy applications and more in advance of the actual modernization and eliminating technical debt.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You were not able to attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the Recordings of part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
Part 2 from January 29th, 2025
Our second webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications' took place on January 29th, 2025.
To circumnavigate icebergs, you have to know where they are. The same goes for modernizing applications. For a safe modernization, knowledge about the application is a key factor. You must recognize the following situation: the programmers that originally wrote the COBOL and PL/I applications are not available anymore. The successors, new team or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or re-implementation. But questions about the legacy applications are often answered with just shrugs.
Icebergs are not depicted on maps and using a pair of binoculars only makes the 10% above the surface visible. Therefor radar and sonar are needed to safely bypass them. To understand application more than just the documentation is needed. In our webinar we have demonstrated, how AMELIO Logic Discovery regains such knowledge from the program sources in an automated process.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording of part 1 and part 2 here.
Part 1 from November 13th, 2024
Our first webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software Modernization Made Easily' took place on November 13th, 2024.
Using the story of the Titanic, we showed you how you can deal with today's challenges in application modernization in a relaxed manner and avoid every iceberg.
The first episode of our webinar series on automated software modernization met with great interest. Over 80 interested parties had registered. You couldn't attend? Then you can request the recording here. The second episode in this series will be available at the end of January. The focus will then be on (re-)understanding applications
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording here.
Also read our text series "Iceberg Ahead"
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21105.01
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in dealing with legacy applications.
Read which possibilities there are to realise the added value of a modernisation.
- Part 1: "How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg"
- Part 2: "Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation"
- Part 3: "Assessment or how to
Recording: Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER - (re)understand applications'
Our second webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER - (re)understand applications' took place on January 29th, 2025.
To circumnavigate icebergs, you have to know where they are. The same goes for modernizing applications. For a safe modernization, knowledge about the application is a key factor. You must recognize the following situation: the programmers that originally wrote the COBOL and PL/I applications are not available anymore. The successors, new team or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or re-implementation. But questions about the legacy applications are often answered with just shrugs.
Icebergs are not depicted on maps and using a pair of binoculars only makes the 10% above the surface visible. Therefor radar and sonar are needed to safely bypass them. To understand application more than just the documentation is needed. In our webinar we have demonstrated, how AMELIO Logic Discovery regains such knowledge from the program sources in an automated process.
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording of Part 1 and Part 2 here:
Recording: Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER - (re)understand applications'
Recording: Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER - (re)understand applications'
Part 2 from January 29th, 2025
Our second webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications' took place on January 29th, 2025.
To circumnavigate icebergs, you have to know where they are. The same goes for modernizing applications. For a safe modernization, knowledge about the application is a key factor. You must recognize the following situation: the programmers that originally wrote the COBOL and PL/I applications are not available anymore. The successors, new team or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or re-implementation. But questions about the legacy applications are often answered with just shrugs.
Icebergs are not depicted on maps and using a pair of binoculars only makes the 10% above the surface visible. Therefor radar and sonar are needed to safely bypass them. To understand application more than just the documentation is needed. In our webinar we have demonstrated, how AMELIO Logic Discovery regains such knowledge from the program sources in an automated process.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording of part 1 and part 2 here.
SVA Mainframe Dayz 2025
The SVA Mainframe Dayz 2025 will take place in Wiesbaden from February 18th to 19th, 2025.
Delta Software Technology is represented with a lecture. On February 19th, 2025 at 1:10 p.m., Dr. Daniela Schilling presents:
"When the English Dictionary is not enough - Understanding Applications with AMELIO"
Be there and take the opportunity to exchange ideas with your colleagues and to shed light on current topics.
Sign up now!
Further information, registration and agenda can be found here:
SVA Mainframe Dayz 2025
SVA Mainframe Dayz 2025
SVA Mainframe Dayz 2025
In February 2025, the focus will be on the mainframe again!
A variety of presentations, exciting discussions and, above all, lots of field reports from the world of the mainframe await you on February 18th and 19th, 2025 at the Mainframe Dayz in Wiesbaden.
Delta Software Technology is represented with a lecture. On February 19th, 2025 at 1:10 p.m., Dr. Daniela Schilling presents:
"When the English Dictionary is not enough - Understanding Applications with AMELIO"
Regular maintenance, extensions, clean-ups or modernizations - no matter what the task is, without a thorough understanding of the application there is no chance of success. COBOL language is easy to read, but that alone is not enough to actually understand large and complex applications.
Do you want to know how AMELIO Logic Discovery helps you to regain knowledge about your application by means of automated analyses, abstraction and task-specific views?
Then come to our lecture at the SVA Mainframe Dayz on February 19th in Wiesbaden.
Further information, registration and agenda can be found here: https://www.sva-events.de/event/MainframeDayz2025/
Join us and take the opportunity to exchange ideas with your colleagues and discuss current topics.
Register now!
Review: SVA Mainframe Dayz 2023
In March 2023, the focus will be on the mainframe again!
A variety of presentations, exciting discussions and, above all, lots of field reports from the world of the mainframe await you on March 7th and 8th, 2023 at the Mainframe Dayz in Wiesbaden.
Delta Software Technology is represented with a lecture. On March 7th, 2023 at 1:15 p.m., Dr. Daniela Schilling presents:
"Automated Application Cleanup: Using the Washing Machine for Software"
Be there and take the opportunity to present yourself with your colleagues and to shed light on current topics.
Also read about this:
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 solu tion for the problem: a washing machine that performs an automated cleaning of the soft ware from its technical debts.
Read more
Review: SVA Mainframe Dayz 2022
From March 9th to 10th, 2022 we were at the SVA Mainframe Dayz 2022 in Wiesbaden, Germany!
Delta Software Technology were present with a booth and presentation. On March 9th, 2022 at 2:30 p.m., Dr. Daniela Schilling:
"Successful Automatic Database Migration at Gothaer: In Time - In Budget - In Scope"
You could not attend? Here you can request the presentation slides.
Only available in German. If you are interested in an English version, please contact us directly.
Review SVA Mainframe Dayz 2021
In a monthly event series, the Mainframe SpeakZ, SVA again gave the mainframe a voice. With a diverse mix of customer presentations, industry news, tool updates, and more, SVA keeps you up to date on all things mainframe.
Delta Software Technology was there with a presentation:
"Application modernisation according to your requirements, parallel to ongoing operation"
Dr. Daniela Schilling (CEO Delta Software Technology) explained sticking points and pitfalls in large modernization projects and showed solutions based on a large project at a leading German insurance company.
Contents
The foundation of business-critical applications has often evolved over decades. During this time, the applications were changed and further developed. New technologies were introduced, partly without completely removing the old technologies.
Modernisations such as clean-up, refactoring, technology exchange and standardisation as well as platform migration are necessary to meet new requirements, improve performance and maintainability, and increase the sustainability of the backend applications.
The documentation of the applications and the knowledge about what was implemented and why it was implemented that way has been lost over time.
- So, how do you regain the required implementation knowledge?
- What do you do with the dependencies?
- What about the risks?
- How do you find all the sticking points?
- How do you organise parallel changes and further development?
- What must be tested?
- How do you securely manage (testing) efforts, costs and risks?
- ...
The solution lies in the precisely targeted analysis prior to a modernisation project, the complete automation of the changes and the flexible organisation of the project processes.
Referencing a large project at a leading German insurance company, we show you how you can safely and reliably carry out a complex modernisation of your applications in parallel to ongoing operation in the mainframe area.
Slides and Recording
You could not attend? Here you can request the presentation slides and watch the recording.
Only available in German. If you are interested in an English version, please contact us directly.
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 is new
Here you will find the new dates:
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:
- 05.03.-07.03.2025 and 17.09.-19.09.2025 - ADS Basics
- 12.03.-14.03.2025 and 25.09.-26.09.2025 - ADS for Administrators
- 20.03.-21.03.2025 and 09.10.-10.10.2025 - ADS Refresher
- 03.04.-04.04.2025 and 29.10.-30.10.2025 - ADS on Eclipse
- 08.04.2025 and 06.11.2025 - ADS What’s new
- 29.04.2025 and 13.11.2025 - Delta DETAB
Learn more about our trainings and workshops ...
Contact us to discuss your requirements for a customised training.
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: DLT24018.01
“Information is not Knowledge”, this song line from Frank Zappa can also be applied to software development. Information about the implementation does not suffice for the modernisation or re-implementation as well as for the maintenance and further development of applications.
Learn more about how you can automatically extract the necessary expert knowledge from your applications.
Dear Reader,
Do you want to make your proven application future-proof? But your applications are large, complex and you don’t have the resources for such a necessary but very time-consuming process? Here comes our automated solution AMELIO into play. To show you what AMELIO can do for you we are presenting our webinar series “Icebergs ahead”. We will also offer training courses in the coming year to counteract the dwindling know-how about our products.
We would also like to invite you to participate and submit your topics for the “Software Reengineering and Evolution” workshop.
We hope you enjoy reading this Episode,
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications'
In the first part of our webinar series with over 80 interested parties worldwide, we presented the DISCOVER - CLEAN UP - MODERNIZE concept. In the next episode we will now have a deeper dive into the DISCOVER area.
You know the situation: The original developers of the COBOL and PL/I applications are rarely or no longer available. The successors, new teams or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or new implementation. But there is only a shrug of the shoulders when questions are asked about the legacy applications. In order to guarantee smooth day-to-day business, you need a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of your applications.
In the second part of our webinar series, we will show you how you can automatically (re)gain a deep understanding of your applications and get started with your modernization journey.
We would be delighted to continue or start this journey with us on January 29th 2025 at 11:00 am CET.
Book your free ticket directly here:
Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications'
Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications'
Webinar Part 4: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: Modernize - Make Applications future-proof!' on May 13th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CET.
Looking ahead to Part 4 of the Titanic Webinar Series Analyze - CleanUp - MODERNIZE. Due to the Easter holidays, the next part will happen on May 7th, 2025, at 11:00 AM. In this part, we will introduce you to the concept of the AMELIO Modernization Platform.
A customized factory for modernizing large IT applications. 100% automated and therefore secure, reliable, and error-free. Whether it's architectural transformation, migration, or mass change.
We look forward to your participation.
Come along and book your free ticket directly here:
If you prefer to participate the webinar in german (07.05.2025), register here.
P.S.: If you missed the first part, get the recording here...
Part 3 from March 26th, 2025
Review: Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!'
On March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., the time had come. Part 3 of our webinar series: "ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!" aired and the list of attendees was impressive.
Icebergs are best avoided, as the Titanic taught us over 100 years ago. There are icebergs in application modernization, too. In the third episode of the webinar "Icebergs Ahead," we showed you how you can safely clean up your applications with us.
Anyone who thinks that cleanup is just about finding dead code is thinking too narrowly. We'll go further ahead and provide you with a variety of practical options for cleaning up legacy applications and more in advance of the actual modernization and eliminating technical debt.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You were not able to attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the Recordings of part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
Part 2 from January 29th, 2025
Our second webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications' took place on January 29th, 2025.
To circumnavigate icebergs, you have to know where they are. The same goes for modernizing applications. For a safe modernization, knowledge about the application is a key factor. You must recognize the following situation: the programmers that originally wrote the COBOL and PL/I applications are not available anymore. The successors, new team or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or re-implementation. But questions about the legacy applications are often answered with just shrugs.
Icebergs are not depicted on maps and using a pair of binoculars only makes the 10% above the surface visible. Therefor radar and sonar are needed to safely bypass them. To understand application more than just the documentation is needed. In our webinar we have demonstrated, how AMELIO Logic Discovery regains such knowledge from the program sources in an automated process.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording of part 1 and part 2 here.
Part 1 from November 13th, 2024
Our first webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software Modernization Made Easily' took place on November 13th, 2024.
Using the story of the Titanic, we showed you how you can deal with today's challenges in application modernization in a relaxed manner and avoid every iceberg.
The first episode of our webinar series on automated software modernization met with great interest. Over 80 interested parties had registered. You couldn't attend? Then you can request the recording here. The second episode in this series will be available at the end of January. The focus will then be on (re-)understanding applications
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording here.
Also read our text series "Iceberg Ahead"
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21105.01
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in dealing with legacy applications.
Read which possibilities there are to realise the added value of a modernisation.
- Part 1: "How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg"
- Part 2: "Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation"
- Part 3: "Assessment or how to
Recording - Webinar Part 1: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD - Software Modernization made easily'
Our first webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD - Software Modernization made easily' took place on November 13th, 2024.
Using the story of the Titanic, we showed you how you can deal with today's challenges in application modernization in a relaxed manner and avoid every iceberg.
The first episode of our webinar series on automated software modernization met with great interest. Over 80 interested parties had registered.
The second episode in this series will be available at the end of January. The focus will then be on (re-)understanding applications.
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording here.
Recording - Webinar Part 1: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD - Software Modernization made easily'
Recording - Webinar Part 1: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD - Software Modernization made easily'
Webinar Part 4: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: Modernize - Make Applications future-proof!' on May 13th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CET.
Looking ahead to Part 4 of the Titanic Webinar Series Analyze - CleanUp - MODERNIZE. Due to the Easter holidays, the next part will happen on May 7th, 2025, at 11:00 AM. In this part, we will introduce you to the concept of the AMELIO Modernization Platform.
A customized factory for modernizing large IT applications. 100% automated and therefore secure, reliable, and error-free. Whether it's architectural transformation, migration, or mass change.
We look forward to your participation.
Come along and book your free ticket directly here:
If you prefer to participate the webinar in german (07.05.2025), register here.
P.S.: If you missed the first part, get the recording here...
Part 3 from March 26th, 2025
Review: Webinar Part 3 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!'
On March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., the time had come. Part 3 of our webinar series: "ICEBERGS AHEAD: CleanUp - Tidy and clean up applications!" aired and the list of attendees was impressive.
Icebergs are best avoided, as the Titanic taught us over 100 years ago. There are icebergs in application modernization, too. In the third episode of the webinar "Icebergs Ahead," we showed you how you can safely clean up your applications with us.
Anyone who thinks that cleanup is just about finding dead code is thinking too narrowly. We'll go further ahead and provide you with a variety of practical options for cleaning up legacy applications and more in advance of the actual modernization and eliminating technical debt.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You were not able to attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the Recordings of part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
Part 2 from January 29th, 2025
Our second webinar 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications' took place on January 29th, 2025.
To circumnavigate icebergs, you have to know where they are. The same goes for modernizing applications. For a safe modernization, knowledge about the application is a key factor. You must recognize the following situation: the programmers that originally wrote the COBOL and PL/I applications are not available anymore. The successors, new team or external service providers are responsible for maintenance, modernization or re-implementation. But questions about the legacy applications are often answered with just shrugs.
Icebergs are not depicted on maps and using a pair of binoculars only makes the 10% above the surface visible. Therefor radar and sonar are needed to safely bypass them. To understand application more than just the documentation is needed. In our webinar we have demonstrated, how AMELIO Logic Discovery regains such knowledge from the program sources in an automated process.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording of part 1 and part 2 here.
Part 1 from November 13th, 2024
Our first webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software Modernization Made Easily' took place on November 13th, 2024.
Using the story of the Titanic, we showed you how you can deal with today's challenges in application modernization in a relaxed manner and avoid every iceberg.
The first episode of our webinar series on automated software modernization met with great interest. Over 80 interested parties had registered. You couldn't attend? Then you can request the recording here. The second episode in this series will be available at the end of January. The focus will then be on (re-)understanding applications
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording here.
Also read our text series "Iceberg Ahead"
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21105.01
In the text series "Iceberg ahead", our colleague Hans Nickessen describes his experiences in dealing with legacy applications.
Read which possibilities there are to realise the added value of a modernisation.
- Part 1: "How you can successfully bring your COBOL or PL/I Applications into the Future without hitting an Iceberg"
- Part 2: "Knowledge Transfer - Securing, Re-understanding, Optimizing and Passing on the Foundation"
- Part 3: "Assessment or how to
27th GI Workshop: Software-Reengineering & -Evolution
Software Reengineering & Evolution: Benefit from the Direct Exchange between Practice and Research
“Software Reengineering and Evolution” is an evergreen in software development. However, new technologies and possibilities in the area of development lead to ever new challenges in dealing with the existing software.
The expert group Software Reengineering and Evolution (SRE) within the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) - the German-speaking professional society for computer science - offers exciting presentations and discussions on challenges and solutions, tool demos and much more.
Take advantage of the opportunity for direct professional exchange and networking. Participation is open to all.
All details about the 27th Workshop “Software Reengineering and Evolution” (WSRE) can be found here:
27th GI Workshop: Software-Reengineering & -Evolution
27th GI Workshop: Software-Reengineering & -Evolution
“Software Reengineering and Evolution” is an evergreen in software development. However, new technologies and possibilities in the area of development lead to ever new challenges in dealing with the existing software.
The expert group Software Reengineering and Evolution (SRE) within the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) - the German-speaking professional society for computer science - deals with all aspects of software reengineering, software maintenance and software evolution. In principle, this includes all activities whose goal is analysis, visualisation, evaluation, improvement, migration and further development.
Workshop Software Reengineering & Evolution (WSRE)
With the conference series Workshop "Software Reengineering and Evolution" (WSRE), the SRE expert group aims to bring together practice and research and to promote professional exchange with a variety of current topics.
Practitioners and researchers are cordially invited to report on experiences, projects, research results, methods, tools and “war stories” in this field at the WSRE, to present their current work and to discuss it constructively in an open environment.
WSRE 2025 from 09.-11.04.2025
We are pleased to announce the next Workshop on Software Reengineering and Evolution (WSRE): 27. WSRE 2025 will take place from 09.-11.04.2025 in Bad Honnef!
Delta will be giving a presentation on April 9, 2025 at 2 p.m.:
Analysing a Big Ball of Mud
The original design of an application often gets lost over the decades, creating a “big ball of mud” instead. Such applications are difficult to maintain and even more difficult to modernize. With AMELIO Logic Discovery you can analyse applications and prepare for clean-up and modernization projects.
How? We will show you on April 9th at 14:00 at the Software Reengineering and Evolution (WSRE) workshop of the GI Software Reengineering Group (SRE).
You don't have time to attend the WSRE, but are interested in the topic? Then get in touch with us and we will make an appointment.
You would like to present your challenges or solutions and tools on the topic and exchange ideas with other interested parties? Anyone can take part - even if you are not a member of the GI.
Take the opportunity for direct exchange and networking. Participation is open to everyone. All information about the workshop and how to submit contributions can be found here.
WSRE 2024
The 26th Software Reengineering & Evolution Workshop of the GI Software Reengineering (SRE) specialist group took place on 29 and 30 April in Bad Honnef.
How to Quickly (Re-)Gain the Knowledge about Your COBOL Applications
At this year's tool session, Dr. Daniela Schilling, CEO of Delta Software Technology, presented:
‘When the English Dictionary is Not Enough - Understanding COBOL Applications with AMELIO Logic Discovery’
In order to (re)understand large, complex COBOL applications that have grown over decades, it is not enough to be able to read the code. Instead, it is necessary to abstract from technical details and gain knowledge at a glance. Appropriate views of the application are also required for various tasks. We present AMELIO Logic Discovery, a tool for automated knowledge (re)gain.
You couldn’t attend? No problem!
Contact us directly and find out how AMELIO Logic Discovery can help you to re-understand your COBOL applications.
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:
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:
- 05.03.-07.03.2025 and 17.09.-19.09.2025 - ADS Basics
- 12.03.-14.03.2025 and 25.09.-26.09.2025 - ADS for Administrators
- 20.03.-21.03.2025 and 09.10.-10.10.2025 - ADS Refresher
- 03.04.-04.04.2025 and 29.10.-30.10.2025 - ADS on Eclipse
- 08.04.2025 and 06.11.2025 - ADS What’s new
- 29.04.2025 and 13.11.2025 - Delta DETAB
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Download Language: Englisch - Version: nl21024-04
Content
- Webinar Part 2: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD: DISCOVER – (re)understand applications'
- Recording - Webinar Part 1: 'ICEBERGS AHEAD - Software Modernization made easily'
- 27th GI Workshop: Software-Reengineering & -Evolution
- New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
Dear Reader,
Do you also have applications that actually exactly implement your company processes, but which nevertheless increasingly feel like a brake block?
These applications have often been in use for decades and are constantly being expanded and adapted to new requirements. However, the readability, maintainability and flexibility of the applications have diminished. Throwing them away and rewriting are no options, the effort and risks are far too high. That's why our AMELIO product family helps you to automatically analyse, clean up and modernise your applications. In part 3 of our article series ‘4 important steps for sustainable software modernisation’, we introduce you to our software washing machine.
We also invite you to the 1st part of our webinar series ‘Icebergs ahead - mastering modernisation with ease’. In it, we will discuss with you the hurdles, procedures and solutions for various modernisation projects.
Our CEO, Dr Daniela Schilling, shared our experiences with mainframes and legacy applications in the podcast ‘Mainframe - What the Heck’. Listen in.
For our Delta ADS users, we also have our support news and the opportunity to watch our Delta ADS webinar to learn more about all the new features.
We hope you enjoy reading.
Your Delta Software Technology Team
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 3)
- Do you value the functionality and reliability of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- Are you struggling with the complexity and do you lack precise knowledge about the implementation of the functionality?
- Have you also been reducing your investment in existing backend applications for a long time and your experts and knowledge carriers are on their way to retirement?
- Do you want to modernise your operational backend applications and benefit from new technologies while playing it safe with all changes?
We discuss 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.
In step 3 "First Clean Up, Then Modernise - Why?", we show how you can reduce the costs of maintenance, further development and modernisation.
Read now ...
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 3)
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 3)
- Do you value the functionality and reliability of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- Are you struggling with the complexity and do you lack precise knowledge about the implementation of the functionality?
- Have you also been reducing your investment in existing backend applications for a long time and your experts and knowledge carriers are on their way to retirement?
- Do you want to modernise your operational backend applications and benefit from new technologies while playing it safe with all changes?
We discuss 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably. Read now:
Best Practices for Application Modernisation
Although there are countless reasons for application modernisation, the overarching goal is always to reduce the risks of legacy applications, save costs, increase organisational agility with modern IT and, last but not least, be attractive to new specialists.
The following 4 steps will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.
- Custom-fit Assessments for good decisions: For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 1: Custom Fit Assessments)’
- Automated Application Analysis for a comprehensive and accurate (re)understanding of the implemented application logic in order to reduce risks and costs for modernisation or new implementation and ensure easy knowledge transfer. For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 2: Automated Application Analysis)’
- Agile Clean-up to optimise the use of your resources.
- Fully Automated Transformation for a completely secure and flexible modernisation.
Simplify Your Legacy Application Modernisation
For almost 50 years, our customers have benefited from our automated solutions to develop their customised IT applications securely and sustainably while reducing costs and risks. From our experience with very large projects, we can say that most of the applications developed in COBOL and PL/I or created by generators are very large and complex because the business logic they implement is extensive and complex.
Application size, complexity and strong interconnectivity of the individual components, code that is no longer required in the applications as well as a lack of knowledge about the applications' implementation and inappropriate documentation hinder safe, effective and efficient modernisation.
So, how do you gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications that enables secure modernisation and flawless transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning, get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications and execute a reliable clean-up that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
Step 1: Custom-fit Assessments
Step 1
Custom-fit Assessments for Good Decisions
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
The solution is an assessment. But, be careful: It is not enough - as many providers propose - to simply list a few figures about the approximate size and number of modules in order to receive reliable estimates of the effort and costs. The risks, as so often, lie in the details.
Of course, rough decisions and gut feeling could also lead to success. As a rule, however, they lead to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often also to the failure of modernisation projects.
In its Chaos Report 2019, the Standish Group reports that 83.9% of IT projects fail partially or completely. The following reasons for failure are repeatedly cited in studies:
- Badly defined requirements
- Poorly defined or unrealistic planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- The realistic assessment of the risks and efforts
A tailor-made assessment finds all stumbling blocks and helps to precisely define the requirements for a project, enables precise planning and thus paves the way for the successful implementation.
What Can We Do for You?
If you want to ensure the success of your modernisation projects, find out about the possibilities of our tailor-made application assessments.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer “Application Assessment: Don't Guess – Assess”.
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21085.02
Tailor-made application assessments enable you to pinpoint and to reliably evaluate all critical issues for your projects. They help you to accomplish your projects in the areas of modernisation, migration, mass changes and clean-up of your COBOL and PL/I applications successfully in time and in budget.
Read moreEvery project is different and our flyer just gives you a first general idea. To get the best solution for you, you should directly discuss the requirements and details of your project with us.
Step 2: Automated Application Analysis
Step 2
Automated Application Analysis – Why?
Regardless of whether you want to modernise the functionality of your backend applications by changing the data management system or replacing individual technology modules, or whether you want to redevelop them using ‘modern’ languages, you always need to know exactly what is currently implemented and how it is implemented.
Understanding large and complex applications is a Herculean task! Especially if you have not developed the applications yourself and even more so if the original developers are no longer available. The documentation - if available and up-to-date - does not provide the knowledge about the implementation of the functionality that is necessary for understanding and modernising or rewriting.
Even if the applications were originally well structured, this design has often suffered over the decades. Old architectures and techniques are used. New code was repeatedly added to fulfil new requirements. However, code that was no longer needed was rarely removed, as there was no real certainty that this code was no longer needed under any circumstances and the cost and effort of testing was spared. It is generally estimated that the proportion of ‘dead code’ in applications increases by around 10% per decade. This also prevents precise understanding.
Poor understanding of existing applications leads to
- poorly or even incorrectly defined requirements
- poorly defined and unrealistic planning
- unrealistic estimates of risks and expenses
- errors during modernisation or new implementation
Read also ‘Chaos Report 2019 by the Standish Group’ for more details.
In addition, a lack of understanding of existing applications usually also leads to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often to the failure of modernisation projects.
Really Understanding Applications – A Dream?
The truth or rather the entire knowledge about your applications, their functionality and their actual implementation is in the current source code!
But beware: It is not enough - as many providers propagate - to simply visualise the application code, data usage and possibly also the dependencies. Some tools, especially those that are also used for maintenance, also offer step-by-step execution of the code. All of this is not enough to really understand the applications and their implementation.
But, the good news is: this knowledge can be recovered quickly using our automated application analysis.
Proper Structuring and Logical Abstraction
Real understanding can only be gained through the right structuring and logical abstraction, through the ability to view the analysed code under varying aspects and from different perspectives and, above all, to be able to abstract the implementation across multiple levels.
The aim is not only to visualise the physical code and data structures, but also to determine the logical components of the source code and the conditions for their interaction. This is the only way to derive the implemented functions, their interfaces and the conditions for their execution.
To simplify knowledge transfer, onboarding and subject-specific communication, the information also needs to be presented in a language-neutral way.
Automated Application Analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Through in-depth and comprehensive analyses of the applications, AMELIO Logic Discovery determines
- what is implemented
- how it is implemented
- which logical relationships exist
- which components form a logical unit (procedures, composites, ...)
- the conditions under which procedures and components are called or executed
- what the interfaces of these components look like
- which data structures are used, how and where (definition, scope, ...)
The implementation details are abstracted, the information obtained is connected, logically structured and the knowledge about the functionality of the application is derived. The result is a clear, language-neutral and technology-independent visualisation of the application logic, in which users can navigate freely across all levels, in topic-related views and in selectable levels of detail, so that your teams can easily understand the applications.
The modernisation projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown that a precise understanding of the functionality of the existing applications and their implementation is essential for the success of modernisation projects.
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers new, flexible and well-structured views of our applications. Especially the logical views help to find and understand the crucial points in our applications.
Marcel Rozema (Senior Software Architekt, RDW)
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
The AMELIO Tool Family
AMELIO Logic Discovery can be extended according to your specific needs. For example, it is possible to use code-smell analyses to determine whether company-specific coding standards are being violated and, if so, where. For modernisation projects, the ‘points of interest’ and thus possible crucial points can be determined automatically.
Especially for clean-up and modernisation projects, AMELIO Logic Discovery can be combined with other tools from the AMELIO family to perform the necessary changes to the source code in a fully automated and audit-proof manner.
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures and to reliably assess risks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects and to make it easier for your teams to really (re)understand your applications, then find out now about the possibilities of our automated application analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery.
We offer you an initial overview in our flyer ‘Analysis for COBOL & PL/I - (re)understanding applications’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21098.02
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Read moreFurther information on AMELIO Logic Discovery can also be found here:
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Really Understanding COBOL, PL/I, Delta ADS Applications
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 3: Agile Clean-up
Step 3
First Clean Up, Then Modernise - Why?
How often have you removed code from productive applications? Were you sure about it or did you feel queasy because you were not 100% sure whether this code would really never be needed again? Or did you simply add the new functions, thinking that code that won't be executed won’t do any harm? And if you only add code, you only need to test this code. So everything is OK? Not at all!
With the important backend applications in COBOL and PL/I, which have been in use for decades, it is not uncommon for 25 - 40% of the code to be no longer required. This code impairs readability, makes it difficult to understand the applications and not only drives up maintenance costs, but it is also a significant hurdle to modernisation and obstruct development processes.
Technical debt and neglected clean-ups in productive applications are responsible for
- poorly defined and unrealistic project planning
- higher maintenance costs and maintenance delays
- slower development and higher workload for developers
- bumpy development processes
- greater risk due to security vulnerabilities
- larger module sizes and therefore higher system load
- higher costs and risks for modernisation projects
- lack of future sustainability of applications
- poorer support for business processes
- and much more ...
It is therefore worth to execute clean-ups and the elimination of so-called technical debt before starting to modernise and also at regular intervals or as part of the maintenance. After all, you also regularly declutter your possessions or take your car in for a service so that you can enjoy and benefit from the things you really need for as long as possible.
Automated and Agile Clean-up of Applications - Why?
The requirements for the clean-up are high:
- Ongoing operations must not be disrupted under any circumstances.
- The maintenance and further development of the applications must not be impaired in any way.
- A step-by-step approach is required as it economises resources.
- The clean-up should be automated in order to ensure audit compliance.
Normally, software clean-ups are carried out manually (if at all). The variety of possible clean-ups is executed programme by programme. However, not all necessary or possible clean-up measures are always known from the outset. Some can only be recognised when other measures have already been completed.
It is safer and more manageable if a specific clean-up is executed for all programs or program packages at the same time. This may require programs to be tackled several times. Risk and effort can be minimised with an automated procedure that can be used as often as required for clean-ups and that can also be expanded to include new clean-ups.
All this is guaranteed by cleaning up your software with AMELIO CleanUp, our washing machine for software. AMELIO CleanUp also offers an agile approach:
- New clean-up measures can be added gradually.
- The applications can be divided into manageable packages and the measures to be applied can be defined separately for each package.
- Each package can be processed by the washing machine as often as required.
For more information, read the report from our customer RDW: ‘RDW eliminates technical debt with Delta's automated solution’.
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 moreAutomated, Secure and Efficient Cleaning with AMELIO CleanUp - the Washing Machine for Your Software
AMELIO CleanUp is an innovative solution that cleans up your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications securely and automatically - a washing machine for your software.
You can
- define any number of steps for the clean-up
- use ready-made wash programmes
- have project-specific wash programmes developed iteratively
The washing machine AMELIO CleanUp will be perfectly customised to your situation. Each wash programme solves a problem in all applications. Several wash programmes can be run in one wash cycle. After each wash programme, the sources can be returned directly to production.
The clean-up of your applications is performed in stages, fully automated and therefore absolutely audit-proof. This is the very best preparation for your modernisation projects.
The projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown: it pays off to eliminate technical debt: A (regular) clean-up increases software quality, reduces costs (TCO) and ensures that applications are future-proof. It also significantly reduces costs and risks for modernisation projects.
"AMELIO CleanUp allows us to make our applications future-proof in small steps and without any freeze time."
Roland Römer, Product Owner, RDW ICT
AMELIO - The Tool Family for Your Successful Software Modernisation
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures, and to reliably assess risks.
Our tailor-made Assessment, AMELIO Logic Discovery and AMELIO CleanUp offer you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects, reduce technical debt and reliably free your applications from unnecessary ballast, then find out now about the possibilities of our agile, automated software washing machine AMELIO CleanUp.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer ‘AMELIO CleanUp: Eliminate your technical debt’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21102-02
Software also accumulates dust over the years. Because of the effort and risk, a removal of the dust is often avoided. On the other hand, the maintenance is becoming increasingly difficult. If the proven code should be used continuously, either in maintenance or as a basis for rewriting, it is worth cleaning up the applications. To save the time-consuming manual work and to minimize the risks, we have developed a washing machine for software for this task.
Read moreYou can also find more information about AMELIO CleanUp on our website: AMELIO CleanUp aka. Washing Machine for Software
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 4: Automated Transformation
Step 4
Fully Automated Transformation
Coming soon
What's next
In the next newsletters you will receive further information on important steps for sustainable software modernisation and we will explain the criteria for security and flexibility in software modernisation.
We help you to make good decisions for your modernisation projects through customised assessments, to recover the necessary application knowledge through automated application analysis, to retain only what is really necessary through agile clean-up and to modernise your applications in an absolutely audit-proof manner through fully automated transformation.
We help you to accomplish your modernisation projects successfully - guaranteed!
Let us discuss your projects now!
Send us an e-mail to
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Webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software-Modernization Made Easy'
We invite you to our webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software-Modernization Made Easy' on November 13th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Join us when we use the story of the mighty Titanic and show how to avoid todays challenges in application modernization and get around the tricky icebergs on the way.
Learn in our webinar series how to succesfully master the challenges of Discover – CleanUp – Modernizein software modernization.
Join us on board on November, 13th 2024 at 11:00 a.m. CET and get your free ticket right now for the first part of the journey:
Webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software-Modernization Made Easy'
Webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software-Modernization Made Easy'
Part 1 from November 13th, 2024
Our first webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software Modernization Made Easily' took place on November 13th, 2024.
Using the story of the Titanic, we showed you how you can deal with today's challenges in application modernization in a relaxed manner and avoid every iceberg.
The first episode of our webinar series on automated software modernization met with great interest. Over 80 interested parties had registered. You couldn't attend? Then you can request the recording here. The second episode in this series will be available at the end of January. The focus will then be on (re-)understanding applications
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No Problem: You can request the presentation slides and the recording here.
Podcast: Mainframe – What the Heck?
Episode 69: Mainframe - The Corporate Silverware
The invited expert guest in the 69th episode is Daniela Schilling, CEO of Delta Software Technology GmbH. She shares Delta’s exciting insights into the topic of mainframes and the handling of legacy systems with the experts Heidi Schmidt and Tobias Leicher.
Play Podcast now ...
Podcast: Mainframe – What the Heck?
Podcast: Mainframe – What the Heck?
Episode 69: Mainframe - The Corporate Silverware (Tobias Leicher, Heidi Schmidt & Daniela Schilling)
The invited expert guest in the 69th episode is Daniela Schilling, CEO of Delta Software Technology GmbH. She shares Delta’s exciting insights into the topic of mainframes and the handling of legacy systems with the experts Heidi Schmidt and Tobias Leicher.
Play Podcast now ... (german)
Mainframe – What the Heck?
“The mainframe is dead - long live the mainframe! Hardly any other technology is being consigned to the IT graveyard while at the same time is driving our lives every day: whether we are withdrawing money from an ATM, booking a trip, concluding an insurance or building our new high-tech car. The mainframe is therefore a vital element of our daily lives and of paramount importance for the global economy. In this podcast, Heidi Schmidt (PKS Software GmbH) and Tobias Leicher (IBM Deutschland GmbH) provide answers to hypes, myths and current trends on this platform. There are user talks from real everyday project work in mainframe transformation as well as discussions with experts. The podcast clarifies and provides a basis for decision-making. Listen in and be informed, entertained and inspired.”
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. Our customers are active in all sectors and have been benefiting from the advantages and continuous development of Delta ADS for many decades. Even at 50, Delta ADS is still evolving to meet today's requirements.
That is why we informed you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offered you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users.
Topics relating to the development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of its integration in modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS were presented and discussed.
You couldn't attend?
Then request the slides and recording here (only german):
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. Our customers are active in all sectors and have been benefiting from the advantages and continuous development of Delta ADS for many decades. Even at 50, Delta ADS is still evolving to meet today's requirements.
That is why we informed you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offered you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users.
Topics relating to the development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of its integration in modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS were presented and discussed.
You couldn't attend?
Then request the slides and recording here. (only german)
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.7)
- Generator Engine alle Varianten (6.6.6)
- ADS on Eclipse (8.2.1)
- ADS on opentext (Micro Focus) EDz / EDc (8.2.1)
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 Updates Available
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.7)
- Generator Engine all variations (6.6.6)
- ADS on Eclipse (8.2.1)
- ADS on opentext (Micro Focus) EDz / EDc (8.2.1)
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.
Get information and updates right now. You’ll find the list of our current product versions here.
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: nl21024-03
Content
- 4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 3)
- Webinar 'ICEBERGS Ahead – Software-Modernization Made Easy'
- Podcast: Mainframe – What the Heck?
- Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
- Support Information: New Product Updates Available
Dear Reader,
What's new in Delta ADS? Yes, you read that right: Our popular tool for efficient backend development may be almost 50 years old, but we are constantly developing it further to fulfil your current requirements.
- In our webinar ‘ADS - Refresh & Connect’, we will inform you about all the new features and further possibilities for your development processes.
- The new Delta ADS for the target system P3/COBOL opens the door to the world of Java.
In the following articles, we present further methods for preparing your modernisation projects in a targeted manner:
- We explain another important step for the sustainable modernisation of your COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications.
- AMELIO Logic Discovery - simply (re)understand applications so that onboarding and modernisation projects succeed reliably.
- AMELIO Clean-up - The software washing machine safely frees your applications from technical debts and everything that is no longer needed.
We wish you an insightful read and look forward to exchanging ideas.
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. Our customers are active in all sectors and have been benefiting from the advantages and continuous development of Delta ADS for many decades. Even at 50, Delta ADS is still evolving to meet today's requirements.
That is why we would like to inform you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offer you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users.
Topics relating to the development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of its integration in modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS will be presented and discussed.Would you be interested in participating in such a webinar? Which topics relating to development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of the integration into modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS would be of particular interest to you?
We are planning the webinar for 28 June 2024 at 11 a.m. - Register now!
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. Our customers are active in all sectors and have been benefiting from the advantages and continuous development of Delta ADS for many decades. Even at 50, Delta ADS is still evolving to meet today's requirements.
That is why we informed you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offered you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users.
Topics relating to the development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of its integration in modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS were presented and discussed.
You couldn't attend?
Then request the slides and recording here. (only german)
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 2)
- Do you value the functionality and reliability of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- Are you struggling with the complexity and do you lack precise knowledge about the implementation of the functionality?
- Have you also been reducing your investment in existing backend applications for a long time and your experts and knowledge carriers are on their way to retirement?
- Do you want to modernise your operational backend applications and benefit from new technologies while playing it safe with all changes?
We discuss 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably. Read now:
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 2)
4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 2)
- Do you value the functionality and reliability of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- Are you struggling with the complexity and do you lack precise knowledge about the implementation of the functionality?
- Have you also been reducing your investment in existing backend applications for a long time and your experts and knowledge carriers are on their way to retirement?
- Do you want to modernise your operational backend applications and benefit from new technologies while playing it safe with all changes?
We discuss 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably. Read now:
Best Practices for Application Modernisation
Although there are countless reasons for application modernisation, the overarching goal is always to reduce the risks of legacy applications, save costs, increase organisational agility with modern IT and, last but not least, be attractive to new specialists.
The following 4 steps will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.
- Custom-fit Assessments for good decisions: For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 1: Custom Fit Assessments)’
- Automated Application Analysis for a comprehensive and accurate (re)understanding of the implemented application logic in order to reduce risks and costs for modernisation or new implementation and ensure easy knowledge transfer. For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 2: Automated Application Analysis)’
- Agile Clean-up to optimise the use of your resources.
- Fully Automated Transformation for a completely secure and flexible modernisation.
Simplify Your Legacy Application Modernisation
For almost 50 years, our customers have benefited from our automated solutions to develop their customised IT applications securely and sustainably while reducing costs and risks. From our experience with very large projects, we can say that most of the applications developed in COBOL and PL/I or created by generators are very large and complex because the business logic they implement is extensive and complex.
Application size, complexity and strong interconnectivity of the individual components, code that is no longer required in the applications as well as a lack of knowledge about the applications' implementation and inappropriate documentation hinder safe, effective and efficient modernisation.
So, how do you gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications that enables secure modernisation and flawless transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning, get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications and execute a reliable clean-up that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
Step 1: Custom-fit Assessments
Step 1
Custom-fit Assessments for Good Decisions
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
The solution is an assessment. But, be careful: It is not enough - as many providers propose - to simply list a few figures about the approximate size and number of modules in order to receive reliable estimates of the effort and costs. The risks, as so often, lie in the details.
Of course, rough decisions and gut feeling could also lead to success. As a rule, however, they lead to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often also to the failure of modernisation projects.
In its Chaos Report 2019, the Standish Group reports that 83.9% of IT projects fail partially or completely. The following reasons for failure are repeatedly cited in studies:
- Badly defined requirements
- Poorly defined or unrealistic planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- The realistic assessment of the risks and efforts
A tailor-made assessment finds all stumbling blocks and helps to precisely define the requirements for a project, enables precise planning and thus paves the way for the successful implementation.
What Can We Do for You?
If you want to ensure the success of your modernisation projects, find out about the possibilities of our tailor-made application assessments.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer “Application Assessment: Don't Guess – Assess”.
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21085.02
Tailor-made application assessments enable you to pinpoint and to reliably evaluate all critical issues for your projects. They help you to accomplish your projects in the areas of modernisation, migration, mass changes and clean-up of your COBOL and PL/I applications successfully in time and in budget.
Read moreEvery project is different and our flyer just gives you a first general idea. To get the best solution for you, you should directly discuss the requirements and details of your project with us.
Step 2: Automated Application Analysis
Step 2
Automated Application Analysis – Why?
Regardless of whether you want to modernise the functionality of your backend applications by changing the data management system or replacing individual technology modules, or whether you want to redevelop them using ‘modern’ languages, you always need to know exactly what is currently implemented and how it is implemented.
Understanding large and complex applications is a Herculean task! Especially if you have not developed the applications yourself and even more so if the original developers are no longer available. The documentation - if available and up-to-date - does not provide the knowledge about the implementation of the functionality that is necessary for understanding and modernising or rewriting.
Even if the applications were originally well structured, this design has often suffered over the decades. Old architectures and techniques are used. New code was repeatedly added to fulfil new requirements. However, code that was no longer needed was rarely removed, as there was no real certainty that this code was no longer needed under any circumstances and the cost and effort of testing was spared. It is generally estimated that the proportion of ‘dead code’ in applications increases by around 10% per decade. This also prevents precise understanding.
Poor understanding of existing applications leads to
- poorly or even incorrectly defined requirements
- poorly defined and unrealistic planning
- unrealistic estimates of risks and expenses
- errors during modernisation or new implementation
Read also ‘Chaos Report 2019 by the Standish Group’ for more details.
In addition, a lack of understanding of existing applications usually also leads to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often to the failure of modernisation projects.
Really Understanding Applications – A Dream?
The truth or rather the entire knowledge about your applications, their functionality and their actual implementation is in the current source code!
But beware: It is not enough - as many providers propagate - to simply visualise the application code, data usage and possibly also the dependencies. Some tools, especially those that are also used for maintenance, also offer step-by-step execution of the code. All of this is not enough to really understand the applications and their implementation.
But, the good news is: this knowledge can be recovered quickly using our automated application analysis.
Proper Structuring and Logical Abstraction
Real understanding can only be gained through the right structuring and logical abstraction, through the ability to view the analysed code under varying aspects and from different perspectives and, above all, to be able to abstract the implementation across multiple levels.
The aim is not only to visualise the physical code and data structures, but also to determine the logical components of the source code and the conditions for their interaction. This is the only way to derive the implemented functions, their interfaces and the conditions for their execution.
To simplify knowledge transfer, onboarding and subject-specific communication, the information also needs to be presented in a language-neutral way.
Automated Application Analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Through in-depth and comprehensive analyses of the applications, AMELIO Logic Discovery determines
- what is implemented
- how it is implemented
- which logical relationships exist
- which components form a logical unit (procedures, composites, ...)
- the conditions under which procedures and components are called or executed
- what the interfaces of these components look like
- which data structures are used, how and where (definition, scope, ...)
The implementation details are abstracted, the information obtained is connected, logically structured and the knowledge about the functionality of the application is derived. The result is a clear, language-neutral and technology-independent visualisation of the application logic, in which users can navigate freely across all levels, in topic-related views and in selectable levels of detail, so that your teams can easily understand the applications.
The modernisation projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown that a precise understanding of the functionality of the existing applications and their implementation is essential for the success of modernisation projects.
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers new, flexible and well-structured views of our applications. Especially the logical views help to find and understand the crucial points in our applications.
Marcel Rozema (Senior Software Architekt, RDW)
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
The AMELIO Tool Family
AMELIO Logic Discovery can be extended according to your specific needs. For example, it is possible to use code-smell analyses to determine whether company-specific coding standards are being violated and, if so, where. For modernisation projects, the ‘points of interest’ and thus possible crucial points can be determined automatically.
Especially for clean-up and modernisation projects, AMELIO Logic Discovery can be combined with other tools from the AMELIO family to perform the necessary changes to the source code in a fully automated and audit-proof manner.
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures and to reliably assess risks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects and to make it easier for your teams to really (re)understand your applications, then find out now about the possibilities of our automated application analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery.
We offer you an initial overview in our flyer ‘Analysis for COBOL & PL/I - (re)understanding applications’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21098.02
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Read moreFurther information on AMELIO Logic Discovery can also be found here:
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Really Understanding COBOL, PL/I, Delta ADS Applications
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 3: Agile Clean-up
Step 3
First Clean Up, Then Modernise - Why?
How often have you removed code from productive applications? Were you sure about it or did you feel queasy because you were not 100% sure whether this code would really never be needed again? Or did you simply add the new functions, thinking that code that won't be executed won’t do any harm? And if you only add code, you only need to test this code. So everything is OK? Not at all!
With the important backend applications in COBOL and PL/I, which have been in use for decades, it is not uncommon for 25 - 40% of the code to be no longer required. This code impairs readability, makes it difficult to understand the applications and not only drives up maintenance costs, but it is also a significant hurdle to modernisation and obstruct development processes.
Technical debt and neglected clean-ups in productive applications are responsible for
- poorly defined and unrealistic project planning
- higher maintenance costs and maintenance delays
- slower development and higher workload for developers
- bumpy development processes
- greater risk due to security vulnerabilities
- larger module sizes and therefore higher system load
- higher costs and risks for modernisation projects
- lack of future sustainability of applications
- poorer support for business processes
- and much more ...
It is therefore worth to execute clean-ups and the elimination of so-called technical debt before starting to modernise and also at regular intervals or as part of the maintenance. After all, you also regularly declutter your possessions or take your car in for a service so that you can enjoy and benefit from the things you really need for as long as possible.
Automated and Agile Clean-up of Applications - Why?
The requirements for the clean-up are high:
- Ongoing operations must not be disrupted under any circumstances.
- The maintenance and further development of the applications must not be impaired in any way.
- A step-by-step approach is required as it economises resources.
- The clean-up should be automated in order to ensure audit compliance.
Normally, software clean-ups are carried out manually (if at all). The variety of possible clean-ups is executed programme by programme. However, not all necessary or possible clean-up measures are always known from the outset. Some can only be recognised when other measures have already been completed.
It is safer and more manageable if a specific clean-up is executed for all programs or program packages at the same time. This may require programs to be tackled several times. Risk and effort can be minimised with an automated procedure that can be used as often as required for clean-ups and that can also be expanded to include new clean-ups.
All this is guaranteed by cleaning up your software with AMELIO CleanUp, our washing machine for software. AMELIO CleanUp also offers an agile approach:
- New clean-up measures can be added gradually.
- The applications can be divided into manageable packages and the measures to be applied can be defined separately for each package.
- Each package can be processed by the washing machine as often as required.
For more information, read the report from our customer RDW: ‘RDW eliminates technical debt with Delta's automated solution’.
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 moreAutomated, Secure and Efficient Cleaning with AMELIO CleanUp - the Washing Machine for Your Software
AMELIO CleanUp is an innovative solution that cleans up your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications securely and automatically - a washing machine for your software.
You can
- define any number of steps for the clean-up
- use ready-made wash programmes
- have project-specific wash programmes developed iteratively
The washing machine AMELIO CleanUp will be perfectly customised to your situation. Each wash programme solves a problem in all applications. Several wash programmes can be run in one wash cycle. After each wash programme, the sources can be returned directly to production.
The clean-up of your applications is performed in stages, fully automated and therefore absolutely audit-proof. This is the very best preparation for your modernisation projects.
The projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown: it pays off to eliminate technical debt: A (regular) clean-up increases software quality, reduces costs (TCO) and ensures that applications are future-proof. It also significantly reduces costs and risks for modernisation projects.
"AMELIO CleanUp allows us to make our applications future-proof in small steps and without any freeze time."
Roland Römer, Product Owner, RDW ICT
AMELIO - The Tool Family for Your Successful Software Modernisation
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures, and to reliably assess risks.
Our tailor-made Assessment, AMELIO Logic Discovery and AMELIO CleanUp offer you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects, reduce technical debt and reliably free your applications from unnecessary ballast, then find out now about the possibilities of our agile, automated software washing machine AMELIO CleanUp.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer ‘AMELIO CleanUp: Eliminate your technical debt’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21102-02
Software also accumulates dust over the years. Because of the effort and risk, a removal of the dust is often avoided. On the other hand, the maintenance is becoming increasingly difficult. If the proven code should be used continuously, either in maintenance or as a basis for rewriting, it is worth cleaning up the applications. To save the time-consuming manual work and to minimize the risks, we have developed a washing machine for software for this task.
Read moreYou can also find more information about AMELIO CleanUp on our website: AMELIO CleanUp aka. Washing Machine for Software
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 4: Automated Transformation
Step 4
Fully Automated Transformation
Coming soon
What's next
In the next newsletters you will receive further information on important steps for sustainable software modernisation and we will explain the criteria for security and flexibility in software modernisation.
We help you to make good decisions for your modernisation projects through customised assessments, to recover the necessary application knowledge through automated application analysis, to retain only what is really necessary through agile clean-up and to modernise your applications in an absolutely audit-proof manner through fully automated transformation.
We help you to accomplish your modernisation projects successfully - guaranteed!
Let us discuss your projects now!
Send us an e-mail to
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Pre-release available: Delta ADS - Generation for the Java Target System P3/COBOL
Existing IT applications are often a company's most valuable software assets, setting it apart from its competitors. One of today's greatest challenges is therefore to expand a company's technology base without having to give up decades of valuable development work.
So how do you bring your COBOL applications generated with Delta ADS into the modern world quickly and securely? It's simple! To make it easier for you to integrate your Delta ADS applications into your Java environment, Delta Software Technology made the Delta ADS development system available for the EasiRun P3/COBOL compiler.
Integrate your Delta ADS applications easily into your Java environment:
Pre-release available: Delta ADS - Generation for the Java Target System P3/COBOL
Pre-release available: Delta ADS - Generation for the Java Target System P3/COBOL
Existing IT applications are often a company's most valuable software assets, setting it apart from its competitors. One of today's greatest challenges is therefore to expand a company's technology base without having to give up decades of valuable development work.
So how do you bring your COBOL applications generated with Delta ADS into the modern world quickly and securely? It's simple! To make it easier for you to integrate your Delta ADS applications into your Java environment, Delta Software Technology made the Delta ADS development system available for the EasiRun P3/COBOL compiler.
Delta ADS for COBOL
Delta ADS for COBOL is one of the most successful development systems for operational backend applications in COBOL. The sophisticated and comprehensive generator technology enables the automated creation of platform-independent online and batch applications in COBOL. This automated generation of standardised, optimised and correct code
- speeds up development by providing tools for recurring standard sequences in the program logic and for function types/groups,
- ensures quality and drastically reduces the testing effort,
- ensures vendor independence on the one hand by dispensing with interpretative runtime components and on the other hand by separating application logic and platform-specific implementation for operating systems, data storage systems and TP monitors.
Our customers have realised extremely large applications with Delta ADS: With hundreds of thousands of programs and billions of lines of code (LoC) generated. Development with Delta ADS is characterised by a high degree of abstraction and automation. It is stable, reliable and extraordinarily efficient.
EasiRun P3/COBOL
P3/COBOL was developed for the transition from COBOL to Java. P3/COBOL is a system that is completely based on Java and compiles the COBOL applications into Java source code. No native C or C++ add-ons are required. P3/COBOL relies on pure Java functions for performance optimisation, so you don't have to leave the current JVM.
P3/COBOL is a proven technology that generates 100% Java code.
Delta ADS for P3/COBOL
We developed Delta ADS for the new target system P3/COBOL in close cooperation with our partner EasiRun. This enables special optimisations of the code generation that take into account the specific features of the P3/COBOL compiler.
Delta ADS for P3/COBOL enables you to integrate your Delta ADS applications comfortably and securely into your Java runtime environment. These are the advantages for you:
- You keep your efficient application development with Delta ADS while compiling the generated COBOL code to a Java source with P3/COBOL.
- You quickly and safely bring your proven Delta ADS applications into your Java runtime environment.
- You have the possibility to embed native Java code directly into the Delta ADS sources.
- You benefit from a proven technology that creates 100% Java code.
Delta ADS for P3/COBOL offers you the highest level of security on your way to Java and supports you in quickly placing your applications in a modern world.
Integrate your Delta ADS applications easily into your Java environment
Do you also want to integrate your Delta ADS applications seamlessly and securely into your Java environment? We would be happy to take your requirements and wishes into account in our new solution. Please contact us directly!
E-mail
EasiRun + Delta = A Successful Partnership
"The companies EasiRun and Delta have maintained a successful and project-proven partnership for many years and we are pleased to continue this partnership with the new project," says Dr. Daniela Schilling, CEO Delta Software Technology. Don Fitzgerald, CEO EasiRun Europe, confirms: "Delta convinces with the experience of more than 45 years and a multitude of successfully implemented modernisation projects."
EasiRun is both a provider of tools and consulting services with a focus on application modernisation and transformation, as well as a solution provider in the areas of mainframe, Java, .NET and COBOL (Linux, UNIX, Windows) and cloud. The portfolio offers, among other things, Eclipse IDEs, COBOL transpilers, data storage and web browser solutions, analysis services as well as automation and integration for the individual needs of the customers.
Delta Software Technology offers tools and custom-fit solutions for
- automated application generation for all platforms (OS, DBMS, TP monitor, compiler)
- automated application analysis and knowledge discovery
- automated clean-up to get rid of technical debts
- automated application migration, transformation and modernisation
Large companies use Delta solutions to develop their proven individual IT applications securely and sustainably and make them fit for the future. They thereby reduce the costs and risks for the maintenance, modernisation and re-implementation of their applications and gain flexibility, freedom of decision and security.
Presentation at GSE zExpert Forum: AMELIO - The Software Washing Machine
COBOL- and PL/I-applications are still performing their tasks reliably. However, the longer these applications live, the more debris and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making their maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. It also makes sense to clean up applications in the run-up to modernisation projects in order to prevent errors and minimise costs.
As a solution, Manuel Dolle presented at the Swiss 98. GSE z/OS zExpert Forum on 10 April 2024, how the software washing machine with AMELIO Cleanup enables a secure and agile cleanup of your applications.
Further information can be found here:
Presentation at GSE zExpert Forum: AMELIO - The Software Washing Machine
Presentation at GSE zExpert Forum: AMELIO - The Software Washing Machine
Clean Up Applications with Agility - Using the Washing Machine for Software
COBOL- and PL/I-applications are still performing their tasks reliably. However, the longer these applications live, the more debris and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making their maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. It also makes sense to clean up applications in the run-up to modernisation projects in order to prevent errors and minimise costs.
Traditionally, the clean-up of (legacy) software is done manually. During this process, the variety of possible clean-ups is performed program by program. But very often, not all possible and necessary clean-up actions are known from the outset. Some of them only come in sight when other clean-up measures have been implemented. A much better and safer strategy is to perform one clean-up task for all programs in one go at the same time, before - using the knowledge acquired - performing the next clean-up task. This requires an approach where each program might be changed more than once. The risk and effort of such an approach can be eliminated by using an automated solution that repeatedly can be applied consistently for as many clean-ups as needed.
As a solution, Manuel Dolle presented at the Swiss 98. GSE z/OS zExpert Forum on 10 April 2024, how the software washing machine with AMELIO Cleanup enables a secure and agile cleanup of your applications.
You couldn't attend but are interested in the lecture? Then contact Manuel Dolle directly.
The zExpert Forum is the z/OS working group of GSE Switzerland: The forum of “z/OS Experts for z/OS Experts” in Switzerland meets twice a year to discuss experiences and provide interesting presentations.
Further information can be found here:
https://www.zexpertenforum.ch/
Software Reengineering & Evolution
"Software Reengineering and Evolution" is an evergreen in software development. However, new technologies and possibilities in the area of development lead to ever new challenges in dealing with the existing software.
The 26th Software Reengineering & Evolution Workshop of the GI Software Reengineering (SRE) specialist group took place on 29 and 30 April in Bad Honnef. At this year's tool session, Dr. Daniela Schilling, CEO of Delta Software Technology, presented:
‘When the English Dictionary is Not Enough - Understanding COBOL Applications with AMELIO Logic Discovery’
You couldn’t attend? No problem! Contact us directly and find out how AMELIO Logic Discovery can help you to re-understand your COBOL applications:
Software Reengineering & Evolution
Software Reengineering & Evolution
“Software Reengineering and Evolution” is an evergreen in software development. However, new technologies and possibilities in the area of development lead to ever new challenges in dealing with the existing software.
The expert group Software Reengineering and Evolution (SRE) within the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) - the German-speaking professional society for computer science - deals with all aspects of software reengineering, software maintenance and software evolution. In principle, this includes all activities whose goal is analysis, visualisation, evaluation, improvement, migration and further development.
Workshop Software Reengineering & Evolution (WSRE)
With the conference series Workshop "Software Reengineering and Evolution" (WSRE), the SRE expert group aims to bring together practice and research and to promote professional exchange with a variety of current topics.
Practitioners and researchers are cordially invited to report on experiences, projects, research results, methods, tools and “war stories” in this field at the WSRE, to present their current work and to discuss it constructively in an open environment.
WSRE 2025 from 09.-11.04.2025
We are pleased to announce the next Workshop on Software Reengineering and Evolution (WSRE): 27. WSRE 2025 will take place from 09.-11.04.2025 in Bad Honnef!
Delta will be giving a presentation on April 9, 2025 at 2 p.m.:
Analysing a Big Ball of Mud
The original design of an application often gets lost over the decades, creating a “big ball of mud” instead. Such applications are difficult to maintain and even more difficult to modernize. With AMELIO Logic Discovery you can analyse applications and prepare for clean-up and modernization projects.
How? We will show you on April 9th at 14:00 at the Software Reengineering and Evolution (WSRE) workshop of the GI Software Reengineering Group (SRE).
You don't have time to attend the WSRE, but are interested in the topic? Then get in touch with us and we will make an appointment.
You would like to present your challenges or solutions and tools on the topic and exchange ideas with other interested parties? Anyone can take part - even if you are not a member of the GI.
Take the opportunity for direct exchange and networking. Participation is open to everyone. All information about the workshop and how to submit contributions can be found here.
WSRE 2024
The 26th Software Reengineering & Evolution Workshop of the GI Software Reengineering (SRE) specialist group took place on 29 and 30 April in Bad Honnef.
How to Quickly (Re-)Gain the Knowledge about Your COBOL Applications
At this year's tool session, Dr. Daniela Schilling, CEO of Delta Software Technology, presented:
‘When the English Dictionary is Not Enough - Understanding COBOL Applications with AMELIO Logic Discovery’
In order to (re)understand large, complex COBOL applications that have grown over decades, it is not enough to be able to read the code. Instead, it is necessary to abstract from technical details and gain knowledge at a glance. Appropriate views of the application are also required for various tasks. We present AMELIO Logic Discovery, a tool for automated knowledge (re)gain.
You couldn’t attend? No problem!
Contact us directly and find out how AMELIO Logic Discovery can help you to re-understand your COBOL applications.
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.5)
- Generator Engine all variations (6.6.5)
- ADS on Eclipse (8.1.4)
- ADS on opentext (Micro Focus) EDz / EDc (8.1.4)
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 Updates Available
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.5)
- Generator Engine all variations (6.6.5)
- ADS on Eclipse (8.1.4)
- ADS on opentext (Micro Focus) EDz / EDc (8.1.4)
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.
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: nl21024-02
Content
- Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect
- 4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Part 2)
- Pre-release available: Delta ADS - Generation for the Java Target System P3/COBOL
- Presentation at GSE zExpert Forum: AMELIO - The Software Washing Machine
- Software Reengineering & Evolution
- Support Information: New Product Updates Available
Dear Reader,
Modernising legacy applications is once again a topic that is high on companies' agendas this year, and we are starting off with two exciting events:
The Virtual IMS User Group has invited us to present our approach to replacing the IBM IMS DB as part of their virtual meeting. We will present a solution that is also excellently suited for other modernisation tasks. Join us and ask us your questions.
At the GSE zExpert Forum, we will be presenting "AMELIO - The Software Washing Machine", a secure, reliable and agile method for cleaning up your applications, offering you the perfect preparation for your modernisation projects.
And we are currently preparing a special webinar particularly addressing our Delta ADS users. With "ADS - Refresh and Connect" we would like to introduce you to the innovations in ADS and modern development environments and to give you the opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with other ADS users. We would be delighted to receive your suggestions for topics for the webinar.
We also have a new release of AMELIO Logic Discovery and other product updates for you.
We hope you enjoy reading,
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect: Short Survey
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. And you too have been benefiting from its advantages for a long time. Even at 50, development and tools are still evolving. That is why we would like to inform you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offer you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users. Would you be interested in participating in such a webinar? Which topics relating to development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of the integration into modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS would be of particular interest to you?
We are planning the webinar for Q2/2024.
Please reply directly to us using the form below and decide which topics you would like us to cover:
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect: Short Survey
Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect: Short Survey
Delta ADS has been the proven solution for the efficient development of operational backend applications in COBOL and PL/I for almost 50 years. Our customers are active in all sectors and have been benefiting from the advantages and continuous development of Delta ADS for many decades. Even at 50, Delta ADS is still evolving to meet today's requirements.
That is why we informed you about all the new features and improvements in a free webinar and at the same time offered you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other Delta ADS users.
Topics relating to the development with Delta ADS and the possibilities of its integration in modern development environments such as Eclipse or Visual Studio with Delta IDS were presented and discussed.
You couldn't attend?
Then request the slides and recording here. (only german)
AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0
AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0: New Visibility for External Information
Only rarely is all the relevant information in a program bundled in one place. Much more frequently, it is distributed throughout the entire program or even stored in other artefacts. AMELIO Logic Discovery provides the knowledge gained with its profound analyses summarised thematically in various perspectives. With the new PeekWindows, it is now also possible to display information that is spread throughout the artefact or even comes from other artefacts.
Get the new AMELIO Release 2.5.0 now and benefit directly from the bundled presentation of all relevant information.
AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0
AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0
AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0: New Visibility for External Information
Only rarely is all the relevant information in a program bundled in one place. Much more frequently, it is distributed throughout the entire program or even stored in other artefacts. AMELIO Logic Discovery provides the knowledge gained with its profound analyses summarised thematically in various perspectives. With the new PeekWindows, it is now also possible to display information that is spread throughout the artefact or even comes from other artefacts.
Get the new AMELIO Release 2.5.0 now and benefit directly from the bundled presentation of all relevant information.
AMELIO Logic Discovery helps to understand the existing COBOL and PL/I Applications and thus reduces the costs for re-implementation of the existing functions and for the modernization of the applications. Would you like to see the advantages of AMELIO Logic Discovery for your applications?
Then get in touch with us now!
Download AMELIO Logic Discovery: Understanding COBOL and PL/I
Presentation at the 'Virtual User Group IMS' - Replacing IBM IMS/DB
On February 13th, 2024 at the Virtual IMS (VIMS) User Group Meeting, we will present solutions for Replacing IBM IMS/DB - Fully Automated and with Highest Security that enable you to replace IBM IMS/DB in your company and securely modernize your business-critical backend applications.
IBM IMS/DB has been regarded as an absolutely reliable and high-performance database system for decades. Nevertheless, there are good reasons for replacing IMS/DB with a relational DBMS.
But how can such a paradigm shift succeed?
The hurdles are enormous: the applications are business-critical, large, complex and the documentation where available - is not suitable for the project. As these are large projects, the change should take place in parallel with ongoing maintenance and further development and must not disrupt daily business. In our presentation, we will show you how these hurdles can be successfully overcome by means of complete automation and audit-proven processes, with AMELIO.
Looking forward to seeing everyone! Register Here:
Presentation at the 'Virtual User Group IMS' - Replacing IBM IMS/DB
Presentation at the 'Virtual User Group IMS' - Replacing IBM IMS/DB
On February 13th, 2024 the Virtual IMS (VIMS) User Group Meeting took place, we presented solutions for “Replacing IBM IMS/DB - Fully Automated and with Highest Security” that enable you to replace IBM IMS/DB in your company and securely modernize your business-critical backend applications.
IBM IMS/DB has been regarded as an absolutely reliable and high-performance database system for decades. Nevertheless, there are good reasons for replacing IMS/DB with a relational DBMS.
But how can such a paradigm shift succeed?
The hurdles are enormous: the applications are business-critical, large, complex and the documentation – where available - is not suitable for the project. As these are large projects, the change should take place in parallel with ongoing maintenance and further development and must not disrupt daily business. In our presentation, we will show you how these hurdles can be successfully overcome by means of complete automation and audit-proven processes, with AMELIO Modernization Platform.
- You can find the recording of the meeting here:
- You can find the presentation slides here:
Download Replacing IBM IMS/DB [VIMS-Lecture 02/204]
Also read about this...
- IMS Replacement at Gothaer: In Time – In Budget – In Scope
- Provinzial realizes complete migration from IBM IMS/DB to IBM Db2 with Delta
- IBM IMS/DB? Modernization Now!
About the Virtual IMS User Group
"The Virtual IMS User Group is an independently-operated vendor-neutral site run by and for the mainframe IMS user community. This is a mainframe IMS information website, not in any way related to, sponsored, or approved by IBM, which is the legitimate owner of the trademark, and any use of the mark in the URL or the body of the site is for information, education, and opinion expression purposes. The Virtual IMS user group was established as a way for individuals using IBM’s IMS for z/OS database to exchange information, learn new techniques, and advance their skills with the product. Anyone with an interest in IMS for z/OS is welcome to join the Virtual IMS user group and share in the knowledge exchange."
GSE zExpertenforum: Presentation of the Software Washing Machine AMELIO
COBOL- and PL/I-applications are still performing their tasks reliably. However, the longer these applications live, the more debris and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making their maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. It also makes sense to clean up applications in the run-up to modernisation projects in order to prevent errors and minimise costs.
As a solution, we will present at the Swiss GSE z/OS zExpert Forum on 10 April 2024, how the software washing machine with AMELIO enables a secure and agile cleanup of your applications.
Further information can be found here. Register now:
GSE zExpertenforum: Presentation of the Software Washing Machine AMELIO
GSE zExpertenforum: Presentation of the Software Washing Machine AMELIO
Clean Up Applications with Agility - Using the Washing Machine for Software
COBOL- and PL/I-applications are still performing their tasks reliably. However, the longer these applications live, the more debris and technical debts accumulate in the applications, making their maintenance and further development increasingly difficult and error-prone. It also makes sense to clean up applications in the run-up to modernisation projects in order to prevent errors and minimise costs.
Traditionally, the clean-up of (legacy) software is done manually. During this process, the variety of possible clean-ups is performed program by program. But very often, not all possible and necessary clean-up actions are known from the outset. Some of them only come in sight when other clean-up measures have been implemented. A much better and safer strategy is to perform one clean-up task for all programs in one go at the same time, before - using the knowledge acquired - performing the next clean-up task. This requires an approach where each program might be changed more than once. The risk and effort of such an approach can be eliminated by using an automated solution that repeatedly can be applied consistently for as many clean-ups as needed.
As a solution, Manuel Dolle presented at the Swiss 98. GSE z/OS zExpert Forum on 10 April 2024, how the software washing machine with AMELIO Cleanup enables a secure and agile cleanup of your applications.
You couldn't attend but are interested in the lecture? Then contact Manuel Dolle directly.
The zExpert Forum is the z/OS working group of GSE Switzerland: The forum of “z/OS Experts for z/OS Experts” in Switzerland meets twice a year to discuss experiences and provide interesting presentations.
Further information can be found here:
https://www.zexpertenforum.ch/
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.4)
- Generator Enginge for z/OS (6.6.4)
- AMELIO Logic Discovery (2.5.0)
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 Updates Available
Support Information: New Product Updates Available
We have released new versions for the following products:
- Delta ADS for COBOL (6.6.4)
- Generator Engine for z/OS (6.6.4)
- AMELIO Logic Discovery (2.5.0)
Delta ADS 6 for COBOL (6.6.4)
In this new release, we have implemented new functions and some changes. The generation has been further optimised.
AMELIO Logic Discovery (2.5.0)
With the new PeekWindows, it is now possible to display information that is spread throughout the artefact or even comes from other artefacts.
Further Information here.
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.
Download Language: Englisch - Version: nl21024-01
Content
- Delta ADS Webinar - Refresh & Connect: Short Survey
- AMELIO Logic Discovery 2.5.0
- Presentation at the 'Virtual User Group IMS' - Replacing IBM IMS/DB
- GSE zExpertenforum: Presentation of the Software Washing Machine AMELIO
- Support Information: New Product Updates Available
Dear Reader,
Artificial intelligence was the dominant topic in IT in 2023 and it certainly will continue to be so in 2024. But, do you really want to wait with your modernisation projects until these technologies have matured to the point where you can reliably use them to transform your large, complex and business-critical core applications?
With our tailor-made, proven solutions and the first-class tools of our AMELIO family, you can analyse, (re-)understand, clean up and modernise your applications securely and reliably right now. With every step you take, you are already making a profit, making your application more and more fit for the future and realising the future vision for your IT step by step.
Read today how you can find the right strategy and obtain realistic planning for your modernisation projects in a first step by means of a tailored assessment.
Gothaer and Provinzial have already taken a big step towards the future and have very successfully replaced their IMS databases with our solutions. How did they go about it and what would they do differently next time? Find out in our article on the webinar.
Modernisation was also the topic at the leading industry get-together "IT for Insurance Trade Fair Congress" in Leipzig. Read our review here.
We wish you a happy festive season and a healthy and prosperous 2024!
Your Delta Software Technology Team
Review: Webinar 'Replacing IBM IMS/DB' and exchange of experiences with Gothaer and Provinzial
Our webinar "Automated and secure from IBM IMS/DB to DB2" took place on 25 October 2023.
We presented our AMELIO solution and, together with Gothaer Solutions GmbH and Provinzial Versicherung AG, answered questions from the participants.
Are you also facing the challenge of consolidating or replacing your DBMS but were unable to attend the webinar? No problem:
You can request the presentation slides and the webinar recording here:
PS.: The solution can be used for all database systems, not just IBM IMS and Db2.
Review: Webinar 'Replacing IBM IMS/DB' and exchange of experiences with Gothaer and Provinzial
Review: Webinar 'Replacing IBM IMS/DB' and exchange of experiences with Gothaer and Provinzial
You probably know all the good reasons to replace your IMS databases:
- Reduction of cost and maintaining multiple database technologies
- Lack of flexibility of IMS databases
- Diminishing know-how and specialists
- No successors available
- Difficult connection with new technologies like Mobile Cloud etc.
The hurdles for replacing IMS-databases are huge and the applications are running smoothly. These, often mission critical, applications are big, complex and the documentation is in most cases not sufficient for the task ahead.
From hierarchical to relational - 100% automated
The aim is to convert the application to clean SQL, i.e. not to "translate" the IMS accesses to SQL at runtime using a proprietary intermediate layer. The customised, fully automated transformation with AMELIO Modernization Platform guarantees the consistent and audit-proof migration of your COBOL and PL/I applications.
How can you replace your IMS system safely and efficiently?
Delta Software Technology presented a reliable solution that gives you the following advantages:
- You are supported in defining the new relational data model.
- The transformation is carried out securely and completely automatically - with automatic integration of the changes from the parallel ongoing development.
- The testing effort is drastically reduced thanks to the complete automation of all changes.
- There is no footprint and no vendor lock-in.
Review of the Webinar
We were able to win Gothaer Solutions GmbH and Provinzial Versicherung AG for this webinar. The participants took the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the companies' experts who have already successfully replaced their IMS databases.
Dr. Daniela Schilling (CEO, Delta Software Technology GmbH) presented the Delta solution AMELIO:
"Automated and Secure Migration from IBM IMS/DB to Db2 with AMELIO Modernisation Platform"
In the subsequent discussion, experts from Gothaer and Provinzial were on hand to answer questions from the audience. They reported that production and development continued undisturbed and that the migration project ensures the maintainability and future viability of the systems. Processes have been standardised and, thanks to targeted and, of course, automatically implemented optimisation of the access logic, individual applications now run even more efficiently than with the hierarchical database system.
When asked what they would do differently next time, both customers agreed: less testing and no more manual migration! This would save them even more time, money and nerves, because Delta's automated solution simply works.
Slides and Recording of the Webinar
You couldn't attend?
No problem: you can request the presentation slides and recording here.
(it will be in german - If you would like the presentation in english, please contact us by
We would be happy to show you the possibilities that AMELIO Modernisation Platform offers you for your projects. We look forward to hearing from you.
Are you looking for further information?
Then you will find the relevant reports here:
Gothaer migrates its IBM IMS Databases to IBM Db2 together with Delta Software Technology
Gothaer Systems migriert zusammen mit Delta mehr als 400 IMS-Datenbanken zu Db2. Durch den Aufbau einer passgenauen Factory konnten notwendige Schritte zur Transformation automatisiert, gut kalkuliert und risikoarm durchgeführt werden.
„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
Read here the success story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=0314
From IBM IMS/DB to Db2 - Provinzial realizes complete Migration
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.
"The guaranteed operational “smoothness” in the project, despite the complex modernization, is certainly a unique feature of the solution.“
Stephan Kaiser, Program ‘sponsor’ Provinzial
Read here the success story:
https://delta-software.com/link.php?en=0329
4 Important Steps for the Sustainable Software Modernisation
- You value the reliability, speed and functionality of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- You consider these applications and their functionality as an indispensable basis of your future application landscape?
- You want your operational backend applications to be permanently of good quality?
But: You also want to implement changes quickly and benefit from new technologies. You want to play it safe with all changes.
In this and our next newsletters, we will show you 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.
4 Important Steps for the Sustainable Software Modernisation
4 Important Steps for the Sustainable Software Modernisation
- Do you value the functionality and reliability of your COBOL and PL/I applications?
- Are you struggling with the complexity and do you lack precise knowledge about the implementation of the functionality?
- Have you also been reducing your investment in existing backend applications for a long time and your experts and knowledge carriers are on their way to retirement?
- Do you want to modernise your operational backend applications and benefit from new technologies while playing it safe with all changes?
We discuss 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably. Read now:
Best Practices for Application Modernisation
Although there are countless reasons for application modernisation, the overarching goal is always to reduce the risks of legacy applications, save costs, increase organisational agility with modern IT and, last but not least, be attractive to new specialists.
The following 4 steps will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.
- Custom-fit Assessments for good decisions: For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 1: Custom Fit Assessments)’
- Automated Application Analysis for a comprehensive and accurate (re)understanding of the implemented application logic in order to reduce risks and costs for modernisation or new implementation and ensure easy knowledge transfer. For detailed information, read ‘4 Important Steps for Sustainable Software Modernisation (Step 2: Automated Application Analysis)’
- Agile Clean-up to optimise the use of your resources.
- Fully Automated Transformation for a completely secure and flexible modernisation.
Simplify Your Legacy Application Modernisation
For almost 50 years, our customers have benefited from our automated solutions to develop their customised IT applications securely and sustainably while reducing costs and risks. From our experience with very large projects, we can say that most of the applications developed in COBOL and PL/I or created by generators are very large and complex because the business logic they implement is extensive and complex.
Application size, complexity and strong interconnectivity of the individual components, code that is no longer required in the applications as well as a lack of knowledge about the applications' implementation and inappropriate documentation hinder safe, effective and efficient modernisation.
So, how do you gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications that enables secure modernisation and flawless transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning, get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the applications and execute a reliable clean-up that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
Step 1: Custom-fit Assessments
Step 1
Custom-fit Assessments for Good Decisions
So, how can you attain good decisions and realistic planning that enables a secure modernisation and error-free transformation of your valuable legacy applications into future-proof applications?
The solution is an assessment. But, be careful: It is not enough - as many providers propose - to simply list a few figures about the approximate size and number of modules in order to receive reliable estimates of the effort and costs. The risks, as so often, lie in the details.
Of course, rough decisions and gut feeling could also lead to success. As a rule, however, they lead to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often also to the failure of modernisation projects.
In its Chaos Report 2019, the Standish Group reports that 83.9% of IT projects fail partially or completely. The following reasons for failure are repeatedly cited in studies:
- Badly defined requirements
- Poorly defined or unrealistic planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- Inaccurate and unrealistic estimates
The modernisation projects that we have implemented for large financial service providers have shown that only a complete analysis of all sources in advance provides reliable information. The emphasis here is placed on Complete and All. This is the only way to recognize all obstacles and dependencies. This is the only way to make good decisions and eliminate the risks.
Tailor-made Assessment - Why?
Simply collecting all the data about your applications will not help you to reliably assess the risks and costs of extensive changes. This can only be achieved by an analysis that is precisely tailored to your project goal and your applications.
Our projects have shown us that a targeted and individually tailored analysis of the applications is a crucial basis for:
- The exact definition of the requirements
- Reliable planning
- The realistic assessment of the risks and efforts
A tailor-made assessment finds all stumbling blocks and helps to precisely define the requirements for a project, enables precise planning and thus paves the way for the successful implementation.
What Can We Do for You?
If you want to ensure the success of your modernisation projects, find out about the possibilities of our tailor-made application assessments.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer “Application Assessment: Don't Guess – Assess”.
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21085.02
Tailor-made application assessments enable you to pinpoint and to reliably evaluate all critical issues for your projects. They help you to accomplish your projects in the areas of modernisation, migration, mass changes and clean-up of your COBOL and PL/I applications successfully in time and in budget.
Read moreEvery project is different and our flyer just gives you a first general idea. To get the best solution for you, you should directly discuss the requirements and details of your project with us.
Step 2: Automated Application Analysis
Step 2
Automated Application Analysis – Why?
Regardless of whether you want to modernise the functionality of your backend applications by changing the data management system or replacing individual technology modules, or whether you want to redevelop them using ‘modern’ languages, you always need to know exactly what is currently implemented and how it is implemented.
Understanding large and complex applications is a Herculean task! Especially if you have not developed the applications yourself and even more so if the original developers are no longer available. The documentation - if available and up-to-date - does not provide the knowledge about the implementation of the functionality that is necessary for understanding and modernising or rewriting.
Even if the applications were originally well structured, this design has often suffered over the decades. Old architectures and techniques are used. New code was repeatedly added to fulfil new requirements. However, code that was no longer needed was rarely removed, as there was no real certainty that this code was no longer needed under any circumstances and the cost and effort of testing was spared. It is generally estimated that the proportion of ‘dead code’ in applications increases by around 10% per decade. This also prevents precise understanding.
Poor understanding of existing applications leads to
- poorly or even incorrectly defined requirements
- poorly defined and unrealistic planning
- unrealistic estimates of risks and expenses
- errors during modernisation or new implementation
Read also ‘Chaos Report 2019 by the Standish Group’ for more details.
In addition, a lack of understanding of existing applications usually also leads to delays (also in other projects) and significant cost increases and, unfortunately, often to the failure of modernisation projects.
Really Understanding Applications – A Dream?
The truth or rather the entire knowledge about your applications, their functionality and their actual implementation is in the current source code!
But beware: It is not enough - as many providers propagate - to simply visualise the application code, data usage and possibly also the dependencies. Some tools, especially those that are also used for maintenance, also offer step-by-step execution of the code. All of this is not enough to really understand the applications and their implementation.
But, the good news is: this knowledge can be recovered quickly using our automated application analysis.
Proper Structuring and Logical Abstraction
Real understanding can only be gained through the right structuring and logical abstraction, through the ability to view the analysed code under varying aspects and from different perspectives and, above all, to be able to abstract the implementation across multiple levels.
The aim is not only to visualise the physical code and data structures, but also to determine the logical components of the source code and the conditions for their interaction. This is the only way to derive the implemented functions, their interfaces and the conditions for their execution.
To simplify knowledge transfer, onboarding and subject-specific communication, the information also needs to be presented in a language-neutral way.
Automated Application Analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Through in-depth and comprehensive analyses of the applications, AMELIO Logic Discovery determines
- what is implemented
- how it is implemented
- which logical relationships exist
- which components form a logical unit (procedures, composites, ...)
- the conditions under which procedures and components are called or executed
- what the interfaces of these components look like
- which data structures are used, how and where (definition, scope, ...)
The implementation details are abstracted, the information obtained is connected, logically structured and the knowledge about the functionality of the application is derived. The result is a clear, language-neutral and technology-independent visualisation of the application logic, in which users can navigate freely across all levels, in topic-related views and in selectable levels of detail, so that your teams can easily understand the applications.
The modernisation projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown that a precise understanding of the functionality of the existing applications and their implementation is essential for the success of modernisation projects.
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers new, flexible and well-structured views of our applications. Especially the logical views help to find and understand the crucial points in our applications.
Marcel Rozema (Senior Software Architekt, RDW)
AMELIO Logic Discovery offers you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
The AMELIO Tool Family
AMELIO Logic Discovery can be extended according to your specific needs. For example, it is possible to use code-smell analyses to determine whether company-specific coding standards are being violated and, if so, where. For modernisation projects, the ‘points of interest’ and thus possible crucial points can be determined automatically.
Especially for clean-up and modernisation projects, AMELIO Logic Discovery can be combined with other tools from the AMELIO family to perform the necessary changes to the source code in a fully automated and audit-proof manner.
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures and to reliably assess risks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects and to make it easier for your teams to really (re)understand your applications, then find out now about the possibilities of our automated application analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery.
We offer you an initial overview in our flyer ‘Analysis for COBOL & PL/I - (re)understanding applications’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21098.02
AMELIO Logic Discovery is an innovative analysis tool that helps you to better understand your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications and to comprehensively secure the relevant functionality.
Read moreFurther information on AMELIO Logic Discovery can also be found here:
AMELIO Logic Discovery: Really Understanding COBOL, PL/I, Delta ADS Applications
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 3: Agile Clean-up
Step 3
First Clean Up, Then Modernise - Why?
How often have you removed code from productive applications? Were you sure about it or did you feel queasy because you were not 100% sure whether this code would really never be needed again? Or did you simply add the new functions, thinking that code that won't be executed won’t do any harm? And if you only add code, you only need to test this code. So everything is OK? Not at all!
With the important backend applications in COBOL and PL/I, which have been in use for decades, it is not uncommon for 25 - 40% of the code to be no longer required. This code impairs readability, makes it difficult to understand the applications and not only drives up maintenance costs, but it is also a significant hurdle to modernisation and obstruct development processes.
Technical debt and neglected clean-ups in productive applications are responsible for
- poorly defined and unrealistic project planning
- higher maintenance costs and maintenance delays
- slower development and higher workload for developers
- bumpy development processes
- greater risk due to security vulnerabilities
- larger module sizes and therefore higher system load
- higher costs and risks for modernisation projects
- lack of future sustainability of applications
- poorer support for business processes
- and much more ...
It is therefore worth to execute clean-ups and the elimination of so-called technical debt before starting to modernise and also at regular intervals or as part of the maintenance. After all, you also regularly declutter your possessions or take your car in for a service so that you can enjoy and benefit from the things you really need for as long as possible.
Automated and Agile Clean-up of Applications - Why?
The requirements for the clean-up are high:
- Ongoing operations must not be disrupted under any circumstances.
- The maintenance and further development of the applications must not be impaired in any way.
- A step-by-step approach is required as it economises resources.
- The clean-up should be automated in order to ensure audit compliance.
Normally, software clean-ups are carried out manually (if at all). The variety of possible clean-ups is executed programme by programme. However, not all necessary or possible clean-up measures are always known from the outset. Some can only be recognised when other measures have already been completed.
It is safer and more manageable if a specific clean-up is executed for all programs or program packages at the same time. This may require programs to be tackled several times. Risk and effort can be minimised with an automated procedure that can be used as often as required for clean-ups and that can also be expanded to include new clean-ups.
All this is guaranteed by cleaning up your software with AMELIO CleanUp, our washing machine for software. AMELIO CleanUp also offers an agile approach:
- New clean-up measures can be added gradually.
- The applications can be divided into manageable packages and the measures to be applied can be defined separately for each package.
- Each package can be processed by the washing machine as often as required.
For more information, read the report from our customer RDW: ‘RDW eliminates technical debt with Delta's automated solution’.
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 moreAutomated, Secure and Efficient Cleaning with AMELIO CleanUp - the Washing Machine for Your Software
AMELIO CleanUp is an innovative solution that cleans up your native and generated COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications securely and automatically - a washing machine for your software.
You can
- define any number of steps for the clean-up
- use ready-made wash programmes
- have project-specific wash programmes developed iteratively
The washing machine AMELIO CleanUp will be perfectly customised to your situation. Each wash programme solves a problem in all applications. Several wash programmes can be run in one wash cycle. After each wash programme, the sources can be returned directly to production.
The clean-up of your applications is performed in stages, fully automated and therefore absolutely audit-proof. This is the very best preparation for your modernisation projects.
The projects we have accomplished for large companies have shown: it pays off to eliminate technical debt: A (regular) clean-up increases software quality, reduces costs (TCO) and ensures that applications are future-proof. It also significantly reduces costs and risks for modernisation projects.
"AMELIO CleanUp allows us to make our applications future-proof in small steps and without any freeze time."
Roland Römer, Product Owner, RDW ICT
AMELIO - The Tool Family for Your Successful Software Modernisation
Our tools help you to analyse COBOL, PL/I and Delta ADS applications in a targeted manner, to adapt them quickly and securely to new requirements and technical infrastructures, and to reliably assess risks.
Our tailor-made Assessment, AMELIO Logic Discovery and AMELIO CleanUp offer you a reliable basis for your application modernisation, for the elimination of technical debt, for decisions on the next development steps, for new development with modern languages and for many other tasks.
This (and more) is what we can do for you!
If you want to reduce the risks and costs for your modernisation projects, reduce technical debt and reliably free your applications from unnecessary ballast, then find out now about the possibilities of our agile, automated software washing machine AMELIO CleanUp.
You can find an initial overview in our flyer ‘AMELIO CleanUp: Eliminate your technical debt’
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21102-02
Software also accumulates dust over the years. Because of the effort and risk, a removal of the dust is often avoided. On the other hand, the maintenance is becoming increasingly difficult. If the proven code should be used continuously, either in maintenance or as a basis for rewriting, it is worth cleaning up the applications. To save the time-consuming manual work and to minimize the risks, we have developed a washing machine for software for this task.
Read moreYou can also find more information about AMELIO CleanUp on our website: AMELIO CleanUp aka. Washing Machine for Software
Every project is different and our flyers only give you an initial overview. To get the best solution for you, you should discuss the requirements and details of your project with us directly.
Step 4: Automated Transformation
Step 4
Fully Automated Transformation
Coming soon
What's next
In the next newsletters you will receive further information on important steps for sustainable software modernisation and we will explain the criteria for security and flexibility in software modernisation.
We help you to make good decisions for your modernisation projects through customised assessments, to recover the necessary application knowledge through automated application analysis, to retain only what is really necessary through agile clean-up and to modernise your applications in an absolutely audit-proof manner through fully automated transformation.
We help you to accomplish your modernisation projects successfully - guaranteed!
Let us discuss your projects now!
Send us an e-mail to
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IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress - We were there
From 28 to 29 November 2023, the IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress took place in Leipzig.
Delta Software Technology GmbH was represented at the trade fair with a stand together with its partner EasiRun Europa GmbH. EasiRun and Delta have been working together successfully on various projects for many years.
Here you can find a short review of the IT Congress:
IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress - We were there
IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress - We were there
'IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress' in Leipzig - We were there
The IT for Insurance Trade Fair Congress took place in Leipzig from 28 to 29 November 2023.
As the leading industry gathering, the trade fair congress brings together IT managers from insurance companies and IT service providers. This is a good opportunity to meet important market players in line with current topics, exchange experiences and make new, exciting business contacts.
Delta Software Technology GmbH was represented at the trade fair with a stand together with EasiRun Europa GmbH. Large companies use Delta's tailor-made solutions for automated analysis, clean-up, development and modernisation to develop their proven individual backend applications securely and sustainably and make them fit for the future. EasiRun and Delta have been working together successfully on various Projects for many years.
Here you can find the review of the IT Congress:
https://www.versicherungsforen.net/messekongress-it-fuer-versicherungen
You couldn't come to Leipzig, but would like to talk to us?
Then we would be delighted to visit you and present our solutions directly at your premises.
Send us an e-mail to
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
Or contact us to discuss your requirements for a customised training.
Learn more about our trainings and workshops ...
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:
- 05.03.-07.03.2025 and 17.09.-19.09.2025 - ADS Basics
- 12.03.-14.03.2025 and 25.09.-26.09.2025 - ADS for Administrators
- 20.03.-21.03.2025 and 09.10.-10.10.2025 - ADS Refresher
- 03.04.-04.04.2025 and 29.10.-30.10.2025 - ADS on Eclipse
- 08.04.2025 and 06.11.2025 - ADS What’s new
- 29.04.2025 and 13.11.2025 - Delta DETAB
Learn more about our trainings and workshops ...
Contact us to discuss your requirements for a customised training.
Season's Greetings from Delta Software Technology
We wish you and your family a harmonious holiday season and
a healthy, peaceful and successful New Year 2024!
Dr. Daniela Schilling
and the Team of
Delta Software Technology
Season's Greetings from Delta Software Technology
Season's Greetings from Delta Software Technology
At the end of the Year, we wish you and your loved ones a harmonious Holiday Season.
Hours of Peace and Reflection and a happy and healthy New Year!
Dr. Daniela Schilling
and the team of
Delta Software Technology
Download Newsletter
Download Language: Englisch - Version: nl21023-04
Content
- Review: Webinar 'Replacing IBM IMS/DB' and exchange of experiences with Gothaer and Provinzial
- 4 Important Steps for the Sustainable Software Modernisation
- IT for Insurances Trade Fair Congress - We were there
- New Delta Training Courses: Register Now
- Season's Greetings from Delta Software Technology