Newsletter - December 2023

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):

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.

Best Practices for the Application Modernisation

There are many reasons for an application modernisation, e.g. adding new functions, replacing old technologies, consolidating applications, etc. The aim is always to reduce the risks of old applications, save costs and increase organisational agility.

In this and our next newsletters, we will show you 4 steps that will help you to modernise your applications securely and sustainably.

1. Tailor-made assessment for good decisions
2. Automated application analysis for a comprehensive and precise (re)understanding of the implemented application logic in order to reduce risks and costs for modernisation or new implementation
3. Clean-up so that your resources are used optimally
4. Fully automated transformation for absolute security and flexibility

Legacy Applications = A Burden or a Valuable Asset?

Operational backend applications that were developed in COBOL or PL/I are often labelled as a legacy burden that people would prefer to replace with a completely new implementation: "We'll redo everything with XYZ and then we'll be rid of all the problems". The size and complexity of the programd, old programming languages, old technologies and the like are often cited as problems.

From our experience with very large projects, we can say that most applications are well structured, because good software design, architecture and engineering have been around for a long time. Most applications are "just" very large and complex because the business logic they implement is extensive and complex. They use different architectures and often the necessary knowledge about the applications is lacking. The existing documentation is not suitable for the modernisation.

The problems with estimating the risks and efforts for the modernisation and the decision for the right path lie in the fact that these applications have grown over decades: the expected problems are often not the real ones at all. A precise understanding of the applications is lacking, that is why functions have only ever been added in places with the least effort and risk. As a result, the originally good design was lost.

So how do you come to good decisions and strategies as well as to reliable cost and resource planning for a secure modernisation that transforms your valuable assets into future-proof applications?

Step 1

Complete Assessment - Why?

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:

1. Badly defined requirements
2. Poorly defined or unrealistic planning
3. 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:

1. The exact definition of the requirements
2. Reliable planning
3. 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:

1. The exact definition of the requirements
2. Reliable planning
3. 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”.

Every 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.

What's next

In the next newsletters, you will receive further information and we will explain the criteria for security and flexibility in software modernisation.

We can help you to make good decisions for your modernisation projects by means of tailor-made assessments, to regain the necessary application knowledge through application analysis, to keep only what is really necessary through clean-up and to modernise your applications in an absolutely audit-proof manner through fully automated transformation.

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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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us directly on +49 2972 97190.

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.-07.03.2024 and 17.09.-19.09.2024 - ADS Basics
• 12.03.-14.03.2024 and 25.09.-26.09.2024 - ADS for Administrators
• 20.03.-21.03.2024 and 09.10.-10.10.2024 - ADS Refresher
• 03.04.-04.04.2024 and 29.10.-30.10.2024 - ADS on Eclipse
• 17.04.2024 and 06.11.2024 - ADS What’s new
• 24.04.2024 and 13.11.2024 - 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