Reinventing the Past

Businesses navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape face unprecedented challenges, especially those still dependent on legacy mainframes. These systems, which were once technological powerhouses, have now become obstacles to progress. Rising operational costs, the diminishing availability of skilled professionals familiar with older programming languages, and the lack of scalability are pressing issues. To remain competitive, organizations must modernize, transforming their mainframes into agile, efficient platforms that support contemporary business requirements. mLogica’s expertise in mainframe modernization provides businesses with innovative tools and strategies to bridge the gap between outdated infrastructure and cutting-edge technology.

Legacy mainframes present challenges on multiple fronts. Maintaining these systems is costly, with mainframes requiring upwards of multi-millions of dollars in annual costs. In addition to the costs, the reliance on languages like COBOL, Assembler and PL/I further compounds the problem as skilled professionals become harder to find. Moreover, the rigidity of legacy mainframes makes integration with modern IT systems difficult, limiting their ability to support scalable operations and advanced functionalities. These limitations restrict organizational growth and leave businesses vulnerable to operational inefficiencies, compliance risks, and technological obsolescence.

To tackle these challenges, mLogica employs a holistic approach to mainframe modernization. Central to this strategy is the LIBER*M Mainframe Modernization Suite, a proprietary collection of advanced software tools designed to streamline modernization processes. This suite automates essential tasks such as code refactoring, data migration, and business logic extraction, reducing errors and improving accuracy. Additionally, mLogica adopts phased implementation strategies, allowing businesses to upgrade their systems incrementally without interrupting daily operations. By integrating mainframes with cloud platforms and modern IT ecosystems, mLogica enables organizations to enhance scalability, cut costs, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

The advantages of mainframe modernization are massive. By transitioning to cloud-native platforms or modern relational databases, businesses can significantly enhance agility and performance. Faster data processing, real-time insights, and streamlined workflows become achievable, empowering organizations to make informed decisions swiftly. Cost savings are another critical benefit. Migrating from legacy systems to cloud platforms reduces operational expenditures while providing access to advanced features and tools. Additionally, modernized systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with contemporary applications and technologies, ensuring that businesses remain adaptable to evolving market conditions and technological trends.

The Challenge

A compelling example of mLogica’s impact is the modernization journey of a nearly century-old American multinational beverage corporation. With over $33 billion in annual revenue, multiple international subsidiaries, and approximately 80,000 employees, this global beverage manufacturer serves millions of customers across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, their reliance on an aging IBM z/OS mainframe posed significant challenges. Persistent latency issues threatened business operations worldwide, and the system required substantial financial and resource investments merely to maintain baseline functionality. Furthermore, the absence of disaster recovery capabilities heightened operational risks.

The Solution

Faced with these limitations, the company retained mLogica to replatform and refactor their legacy mainframe onto a technologically advanced Linux environment running the AWS Cloud. The mLogica team began with a comprehensive assessment of the mainframe environment using the LIBER*DAHLIA module from the LIBER*M suite. This phase documented all existing databases, applications, and interdependencies to mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition. Following this discovery phase, the automated, GenAI-powered LIBER*M suite systematically refactored and replatformed legacy technologies to function seamlessly in the AWS Cloud.

The scope of the project was extensive, encompassing the migration of IBM CICS, Db2 (325 tables), IMS DB (106 database descriptions and 800 segments), and numerous batch processing functionalities. The migration also involved refactoring COBOL (1,002 programs), PL/I (335 programs), and Easytrieve (324 programs) to Dell Enterprise COBOL, consolidating programming languages for easier maintenance. Additionally, the project included infrastructure upgrades, such as migrating the CA-7 scheduler to IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler and security systems from ACF2 to DELL TSF. These changes enhanced the organization’s technological capabilities and ensured long-term sustainability.

The Results

The results of this modernization effort were profound. Transitioning to the AWS Cloud dramatically reduced operational and maintenance costs while providing enhanced scalability and reliability. The consolidation of databases and programming languages streamlined system operations, eliminating the reliance on hard-to-find legacy skill sets. Moreover, the new Linux-based environment offered greater flexibility, enabling the company to integrate advanced technologies and respond to evolving business demands more effectively. Disaster recovery and security measures in the cloud further fortified the organization’s operational resilience, safeguarding critical business functions and customer data.

This case study underscores the strategic importance of mainframe modernization. Organizations that cling to outdated systems risk falling behind, unable to keep pace with technological advancements or shifting customer expectations. Conversely, businesses that embrace modernization gain a competitive edge, enjoying reduced costs, improved performance, and enhanced flexibility.

Mainframe modernization is more than a technological upgrade; it is a strategic necessity. With its proprietary tools, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence, mLogica empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of modernization with confidence. By reinventing the past, businesses can unlock a future defined by innovation, efficiency, and sustained growth. Whether operating in insurance, government, or any other sector, mLogica’s solutions provide the robust foundation needed for a successful modernization journey in an ever-evolving world.