A large insurer has renovated a key component of his core application with the solutions from Delta Software Technology (Delta). Delta's AMELIO-Tools for automated analyses, code clean-up and re-documentation ensure a future-proof application infrastructure and an easy know-how transfer to the application heirs.
In the 1980s the insurer's IT developed a COBOL application for the screen control. Until now this forms an important part of the application infrastructure. Since its initial development this part of the application and the entire application have evolved: Extensions have been added over and over again. The screen control has been maintained by several generations of developers. Different programming styles and COBOL versions have been used for the further development. Moreover, the screen control has been optimized according to former criteria. These criteria are no longer applicable. However, over time all of these measures have greatly affected understandability and maintainability.
The screen control has proven itself over the years. For this reason, it was decided to make this part of the established and reliable application fit for the future to preserve the proven application logic and to ensure the investments effected. The improvement of the application should be carried out safely and with as less effort as possible.
Fit for the future
For making the application fit, the following measures should be implemented:
- Clean-up and upgrade (refactoring) of the source code, so that it will be understandable and maintainable again and that changes and extensions can be implemented efficiently.
- Creating a technical documentation to better understand what the application does and how it works.
- Knowledge transfer about the application and its functionality to new developers.
A manual implementation of the measures would have been risky and inefficient:
- Efforts and risks could not be estimated.
- The daily business would have been disturbed due to a strong resource commitment.
- Massive testing efforts, to ensure the correctness of the changes.
The insurer has chosen the automated solution with Delta’s tools and was able to avoid the problems of a manual approach.
Usage of the Delta AMELIO family
To solve the task, Delta suggested a multi-level approach with the following elements:
- Code clean-up
- Replacement of VORELLE
- In-depth source analyses
- Refactoring
- Re-documentation
- Workshops for the knowledge transfer
Analysis and clean-up of the sources
During the first step, the AMELIO toolset was configured regarding the customer-specific programming styles, name conventions, etc. General clean-ups, like the removal of redundant code and the standardisation of syntax variants, were implemented by using the AMELIO CleanUp-Factory.
The analysis with AMELIO Logic Discovery identified what the application does and how it works. From these analysis results Delta derived suggestions for a tailor-made refactoring. These suggestions, as well as other requirements of the customer, were evaluated and coordinated in close cooperation to build the customer-specific factory.
With this tailor-made solution the refactoring was performed in an audit-proof way.
Workshop for the knowledge transfer
The results of the analyses and the refactoring were presented in a workshop and thus new employees were trained to work with the implementation of the screen control. Further possible improvements of the application were defined. The employees benefitted from the functionality of AMELIO Logic Discovery when implementing these improvements. They gained deep insight in the sources and were able to build their know-how about the application.
Final analysis and re-documentation
Finally, these sources were analysed again by AMELIO Logic Discovery and a documentation of the entire application was created automatically. With the help of this documentation and the interactive presentation in AMELIO Logic Discovery, first maintenance cases have been implemented quick and efficiently.
Highlights and benefits of the Delta solution
The clean-up and refactoring were performed by a factory specifically configured for this purpose:
- Automated - The changes were implemented automatically and without manual interventions. The strict process ensured that the results are always comprehensible and reproducible. In this way, efforts and risks of the project have been minimized.
- Audit-proof - All changes to the code have been documented automatically. The complete automation and the change log provide security for internal and external auditors.
- Tailor-made - The necessary code changes were agreed with the customer and adapted to his requirements and company policies.
- Documented - A documentation of the application was created automatically.
- Knowledge Building - The knowledge about the application and its functioning was regained.
- Without footprints, without vendor lock-in - No additional runtime components or new products have to be installed or licensed. In addition, third-party tools, such as the decision table generator VORELLE, could been removed.
- Short freeze phase - The development and maintenance of the application could be continued in parallel without hindrance.
- Minimal test effort - Using Meta-level testing, not all changed programs had to be tested, but only the change rules using a small test set.
Goal achieved …
The customer has managed to make his application fit for the future with little effort and low risk. With the gained experience it is now possible to decide how to make further (complex) applications fit for the future, while reusing the factory.
When will you make this step?
You have COBOL, PL/I or Delta ADS applications that have proven themselves and you want to make sure they are fit for the future?
Get in touch with us and find out what is possible with an automated approach.
Download Language: Englisch - Version: mt21089-1
A large insurer has renovated a key component of its core application with the solutions from Delta Software Technology. Deltas AMELIO-Tools for automated analyses, code
clean-up and re-documentation ensure a future-proof application infrastructure as an easy know-how transfer to the application heirs.
New cooperation between ELCA and Delta
With the Swiss IT company ELCA Informatik AG, Delta Software Technology GmbH has found a very experienced partner for the efficient and secure realisation of modernisation projects. This enables us to support our Swiss customers even better. The first common project has started already.
ELCA and Delta modernise large applications together.
Independent Swiss IT company ELCA Informatik AG, with offices in Lausanne, Geneva, Bern and Zurich has taken over the modernisation project of a large COBOL application that has been generated with Delta ADS. Delta Software Technology supports the project with its expertise and the tools and technology for COBOL and Delta ADS.
ELCA will use Delta’s tools AMELIO Logic Discovery and ADS on Eclipse for the application analysis. They make it easier to understand the application; the modernization becomes more efficient and secure.
The partnership that started successfully with this project will be extended and has the goal of completing similar projects together.
"We are happy to have found a reliable and fitting Swiss partner in ELCA. With the experience and know-how of ELCA and the use of our tools and technology we are able to support our customers extensively."
Dr. Daniela Schilling, CEO Delta Software Technology
About ELCA Informatik AG
ELCA is, with over 700 highly qualified employees in 7 cities, one of the largest Swiss IT companies in the areas software development, system integration, business consulting and application management.
Thanks to the diversification over all relevant Swiss business areas and a valuable network of technology and industrial partners, ELCA has been able to achieve an above average rate of growth and has an annual turnover above 100 million Swiss francs.
ELCA’s Mission
"We offer our customers a single source for the complete spectrum of IT services including consulting, development, integration and operations. Thereby, we provide truly workable solutions for many different industries.
Thanks to our well-developed network of technology partners, and our ambition to remain independent (stakeholder, technology partner, industries, etc.) we are always able to choose the technical solution that best meets the specific and individual needs of every client."
More information: www.elca.ch/en.
EasiRun Europa GmbH is a provider of products, tools and solutions for the modernisation of applications and software development platforms with focus on COBOL.
Delta and EasiRun have a reliable project driven cooperation since many years to collaboratively solve tasks for our customers. We are pleased to announce that this cooperation will now be intensified and extended. The focus will be on modernisation projects for which we will offer our products and services together.
EasiRun is a specialist for COBOL compilers and thus has an extensive knowledge about compilers and the COBOL programming language. Delta specialises in building tools for COBOL since 1976 and in automating the modernisation of such applications. This knowledge, experience and tools are now brought together and will be even more integrated.
By harmonising our tools and our knowledge we can offer you solutions “all in one piece” and perform modernisations even more efficiently, totally secure and with less costs.
In addition EasiRun becomes provider for our comprehensive analysing tool AMELIO Logic Discovery. By this, you get the possibility to receive all products from one supplier.
EasiRun Europa GmbH
EasiRun is a German-based product, tools and solutions provider for the software modernisation and software development modernisation of legacy applications with an emphasis on COBOL. Since 1994, EasiRun Europa has specialised in application analysis, code conversion and transformation and the integration of legacy COBOL applications into Java and .NET environments.
"In a proof of concept Delta exemplarily analysed selected PL/I applications from LVM with AMELIO Logic Discovery. The analyses were performed automatically, completely, quickly and reliably. Within the restricted timeframe the presented results could only be achieved by using a powerful automatic support."
Peter Nübel, Bereichsleiter Vertragssysteme-II
Over several years LVM developed its business critical core-applications with PL/I. This resulted in large, complex and powerful systems which are customized to the specific needs of the users. They contain a lot of expertise on the internal processes.
During the regular maintenance these applications have to be adapted to new requirements again and again, e.g. due to legislative changes. This can result in significant modifications, restructurings and even architectural changes. At the same time LVM aims to re-implement parts of the application in JAVA.
Modernization projects like this need to overcome particular obstacles: on the one hand in many cases the original developers are not available any longer. Instead, the applications are maintained by their heirs who however do not know the reasons for formerly made implementation decisions. On the other hand the available documentation targets to support the maintenance. But this documentation does not contain the information needed for modernization and re-implementation purposes.
Thus, the only reliable source for information is the source code itself.
But how can the knowledge required for the modernization be transferred or even rediscovered if necessary?
LVM knew that its developers need a tool which reliably analyse the PL/I applications and thereby ensures that the implemented functional range is completely recorded, no special case is left out and the results are presented in a language independent way.
For this reason LVM decided to perform a proof of concept to evaluate the capability of AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I.
AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I
AMELIO Logic Discovery reliably and efficiently analyses large and complex PL/I applications and helps developers to understand their systems.
AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I ...
- ... derives knowledge about the functionality of the application from the implementation details,
- ... separates the application logic from the technical infrastructure,
- ... analyses not only individual objects but also considers the relations between the programs,
- ... works model-oriented and provides the analysis results as language-neutral documentation,
- ... is configurable and can be perfectly tailored to the requirements of a (modernization) project.
For further details have a look at our Flyer "AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I".
PoC successfully finished
LVM has chosen some exemplary sources for the PoC. These were analysed by AMELIO Logic Discovery and the results were handed over to LVM.
The developers showed a big interest: during the three month duration of the study they lively discussed the results within the LVM internal forum. Feedback was given especially from those developers who have to re-implement parts of the PL/I application in JAVA.
During the PoC LVM was also able to gain a positive image of the cooperation with Delta. Enhancement requests of participating developers were accepted and implemented partially even during the PoC.
In a concluding workshop the PoC results were discussed. All participants have a positive view of the PoC. LVM plans to use AMELIO Logic Discovery in projects which aim at re-writing parts of the application in JAVA.
"The analysis results provided by AMELIO Logic Discovery and their presentation, even the complex ones, are noteworthy."
Klaus Schulze, System Architect
The LVM Versicherung (LVM insurance) in Münster, Germany, has developed its business-critical applications in PL/I and was looking for a solution for deep source code analyses to support the further maintenance and modernization.
On the basis of exemplary applications from LVM, we have presented the goals and concepts of AMELIO Logic Discovery. The analyses shown and their presentation have convinced LVM. That is why LVM has now decided to evaluate the functionality and performance of AMELIO Logic Discovery even more detailed as part of a Proof of Concept.
Convice yourself
Do you also have business-critical core applications in PL/I and are you looking for a way to analyse them fully automated and reliable? Please get in touch with us. We would be pleased to demonstrate the capabilities of AMELIO Logic Discovery on the basis of your examples.
“Searching for a tool that analyses our PL/I applications fully automated, completely, quick and reliable, we found Delta and AMELIO. In particular the quality and depth of the analyses and the high level of PL/I competence of Delta have convinced us.”
Peter Nübel, division manager contract systems II, LVM Versicherung
Many enterprises have developed their business-critical core applications in PL/I. Such systems have grown over years – or even decades – and have been further developed and adapted to new requirements. Naturally, they became larger and more complex and presumably include a lot of dead code. Their present architecture doesn’t comply with the originally intended architecture. Often the original programmers are not available anymore and the maintenance has been carried out by a number of different developers.
To efficiently and securely solve such tasks, it is indispensable to understand the functionality of each application and how the programs interact with each other.
Normally, existing documentations describe how specific calculations are executed but they don’t describe what the application does and what special situations must be considered. The original developers cannot be asked anymore. As a result, the only reliable source of information is the source code itself.
But how can you reliably extract the relevant information from the code?
AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I
AMELIO Logic Discovery reliably and efficiently analyses large and complex PL/I applications and helps developers to understand their systems.
AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I ...
- ... derives knowledge about the functionality of the application from the implementation details,
- ... separates the application logic from the technical infrastructure,
- ... analyses not only selectively but also considers the relations between the programs,
- ... works model-oriented and provides the analysis results as language-neutral documentation,
- ... is configurable and can be perfectly tailored to the requirements of a (modernization) project.
For further details have a look at our Flyer "AMELIO Logic Discovery for PL/I".
The LVM Versicherung (LVM insurance) in Münster, Germany, has developed its business-critical applications in PL/I and was looking for a solution for deep source code analyses to support the further maintenance and modernization.
On the basis of exemplary applications from LVM, we have presented the goals and concepts of AMELIO Logic Discovery. The shown analyses and their presentation have convinced LVM. That is why LVM has now decided to evaluate the functionality and performance of AMELIO Logic Discovery even more detailed as part of a Proof of Concept.
Convince Yourself
Do you also have business-critical core applications in PL/I and are you looking for a way to analyse them fully automated and reliable? Please get in touch with us. We would be pleased to demonstrate the performance of AMELIO Logic Discovery on the basis of your examples.
CGI Germany selects Delta Software Technology as partner for the modernization project at BSQ Bauspar AG
BSQ Bauspar AG plans to migrate its core application package. The project includes also the migration of the complete infrastructure. Particular attention will be paid to the transformation of the database management system IMS/DB to a relational database management system. CGI Germany was chosen as general contractor for this modernization project. Delta will provide the technology for the automated migration.
CGI Germany has been supporting this application package as part of an application management project for about 15 years. For BSQ Bauspar AG it was therefore obvious to ask the GCI IT Modernization Experts as well as their partner Delta Software Technology to propose a modernization solution and rehosting offer for the application package.
Requirements for the migration
The application package organizes BSQs administration processes and is currently operated under IBM z /OS. In order to reduce the operating and maintenance costs BSQ intends to migrate the package of IBM z/OS to a modern and more cost-effective platform. In the process the IMS/DB database will also be replaced by a relational database.
An IMS-emulation or a similar solution is no option for BSQ, because it neither reduces the operating nor maintenance costs. Instead a real SQL solution, using Microsoft SQL Server, will be implemented.
BSQ demands a high quality solution, the test effort must be kept as low as possible and a short project duration must be guaranteed as well. In order to also meet these non-functional requirements, CGI decided to carry out the replacement of IMS/DB and the code changes necessary for the rehosting in a fully automated way. The tools needed for this are provided and operated by Delta.
„The large application adaptations required will be made automatically. This is the only way to ensure a consistently high quality so that the cost of the testing effort can be reduced. For this purpose, Delta Software Technology will provide a customized migration factory with its AMELIO Modernization Platform. This concept has already proven itself in the completed proof of concept."
Carsten Thummes, Head of Center of Excellence IT Modernization Germany, CGI Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG
The automatic way with AMELIO Modernization Platform
The rehosting and the change of the database management system require the analysis of over 6 million lines of the COBOL Code (program and copybooks) and a yet unknown number of necessary changes. A manual transformation of this size would be both time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, Delta will use its AMELIO Modernization Platform to create a tailor-made migration factory. This factory will analyze and transform the sources automatically and rule-based.
For the rehosting following transformations are necessary:
- changing of EBCDIC - character encoding to ASCII
- changing IMS/DB, DB2 and VSAM to Microsoft SQL Server
Special focus lies on the conversion of the IMS/DB database, because the change from a hierarchical to a relational database is a paradigm shift. A simple one-to-one replacement of IMS statements by SQL statements is not possible. Instead, a multi-level, automated method will be performed.
Creating a new data model
In order to accomplish the paradigm shift, the data model must be changed. For this purpose the AMELIO Modernization Platform extracts the current data model from the IMS/DB database definition. Out of this, a proposal for the new model is derived. This proposal will be finalized by CGI experts with their specialized knowledge and according to the future requirements to the model.
Defining transformation rules
Based on the new data model and the automatically analyzed information about the use of the existing data model, rules will be defined for the transformation from old to new.
For the transformation rules too, a proposal will be produced which can be customized and extended by CGI.
The Transformation
The migration factory receives the previously created analysis and transformation rules as input. Thereby the application can be fully automatically transformed based on this set of rules.
In order to separate application logic and database accesses IMS/DB accesses will not be replaced in-place. Instead, the SQL accesses will be outsourced in automatically generated data services.
For the transformation the entire application package will be analyzed. The IMS accesses will be replaced by corresponding new data service calls or functions and error handling will be adjusted. All IMS/DB statements contained in the code will be removed.
In this step also additional rehosting–transformations will automatically be carried out on the basis of the required or defined replacement of EBCDIC by ASCII and of DB2 and VSAM by Microsoft SQL Server.
What are the characteristics of the migration solution for BSQ?
The essential characteristic of the migration factory provided by Delta for the migration project is the fully automated implementation of mass changes. The consistently rule-based approach prevents manual intervention, thereby always delivers predictable, reproducible and traceable results.
Further qualities:
- No „One Size Fits All“ solution
Instead of a standard solution Delta provides a migration factory exactly tailored to the needs of BSQ. In this way, requirements and expertise of both CGI and BSQ are being incorporated into the data model and into the code for the access of the relational database. - No footprint – no vendor lock-in
On the target platform no modules for an IMS/ DB emulation or other components coming from Delta or other suppliers will be required. The transformed COBOL-modules are clean SQL-programs and copybooks. The generated code will need no tools from Delta for further development and maintenance, because the generated COBOL – code is readable and easy to maintain.
- Parallel development and extension during the migration
Due to the rule-based approach, the results are reproducible at any time. Therefore the BSQ application can be extended and maintained, while the factory is configured or even while the factory is productive. Already performed transformations can be repeated if the sources have been changed in the meantime. Thus the freeze-times can be reduced to an absolute minimum. - Reduced test effort
The reproducibility of the solution also has a significant impact on the test effort. If the use of a transformation rule once leads to a correct result, this will also apply to any other application of the rule. This approach has proved successful in previous migration projects.
Using AMELIO Modernization Platform by BSQ Bauspar AG and CGI Deutschland means that the application will be transformed reliably and at a constant high quality. Although more than 6 million lines of Code need to be analyzed and possibly adjusted, the tight timescale can be achieved due to the automation.
Project start
In January 2015 the Proof of Concept for the rehosting project that had been ordered by BSQ Bauspar AG was started under the direction of CGI Germany in cooperation Delta Software Technology. It was successfully completed at the end of February. The pre-set goals were achieved: It was demonstrated that the application package of the BSQ Bauspar AG with the entire infrastructure can be migrated to the new platform Microsoft Windows and that the necessary program adjustments (especially the replacement of the IMS/DB database management by Microsoft SQL Server) can be conducted by a fully automated migration factory.
Would you like to know more about the migration project or do you plan a modernization or refactoring project? Would you like to migrate an application package to a new platform? Are you interested in the automation of mass changes? We would like to show you which possibilities are available for you with the AMELIO Modernization Platform. We are looking forward to your request: Delta and CGI.
An article in our newsletter of november 2014 also dealt with the subject "replacement of IMS database".
CGI is the world's fifth largest independent provider of IT- and business process services with 68.000 employees at 400 locations worldwide, including 2.300 in Germany.
CGI Germany Ltd. & Co. KG and Delta Software Technology cooperate in modernization- and outsourcing projects.
For the CGI projects Delta delivers its tools for application analyses (AMELIO Logic Discovery) and fully automated transformations (AMELIO Modernization Platform).
Download Language: Englisch - Version: MT21081.01
CGI Germany selects Delta Software Technology as partner for the modernization project at BSQ Bauspar AG.
BSQ Bauspar AG plans to migrate its core application package. The project includes also the migration of the complete infrastructure. Particular attention will be paid to the transformation of the database management system IMS/DB to a relational database management system. CGI Germany was chosen as general contractor for this modernization project. Delta will provide the
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