Our comprehensive, tools-based approach and proven expertise can take your existing legacy OpenVMS COBOL, Fortran, Pascal, C or BASIC application, user interface (SMG, FMS or DECForms), DCL command files and associated data (RMS, Rdb or Oracle) to your choice of Unix, Linux or Windows.
We can improve the functionality and handle the conversion of your data to the new relational format. Alternatively, you can take your RMS files directly to an equivalent ISAM structure on your target platform.
CHALLENGES
OpenVMS developers can be difficult to recruit and retain. It’s a specialist skill set developed over the years and many specialists are reaching retirement or leaving the industry.
VAX and Alpha chips have not been sold since 2000/2007 respectively and Intel is stopping production of the Integrity chip and OpenVMS support on Integrity will cease at the end of 2022.
Middleware can be purchased to improve interoperability between legacy and modern technologies as well as ease data management, but this is expensive and not always successful.
Workarounds are often not permanent fixes – nor are they robust or secure enough to support an IT estate safely and effectively over a sustained period of time.
Developers are time-poor. Moving to a modern infrastructure, which can integrate easily, will significantly improve productivity as less workarounds are needed.
Maintenance costs are increasing as the knowledge and hardware required to support an OpenVMS platform are becoming scarce.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Legacy platforms like OpenVMS restrict your ability to move forward as they are difficult to integrate and costly to maintain. Migrating applications to a more modern environment, like Linux or Windows, enables you to prepare your business for the future.
Secured infrastructureAs organisations struggle to protect themselves against potential cyber-attacks, investing in infrastructure based on best practices – as opposed to tired workarounds – will tighten your security.
Reduce costsReduce spend on failed projects with modern systems supporting risk-averse projects. The full emulation of FMS or SMG screen management tools means there is no costly retraining for your users.
Going digitalSuccessfully execute your digital strategy with modern technology that can be integrated within the business and supported by specialists.
High costs related to the maintenance of OpenVMS – employing specialists and sourcing hardware – can be avoided by replatforming applications to Linux or Windows. This will help prepare your organisation for the workplace of the future.
Our automated approachUsing automated tools enables a risk-averse migration strategy that delivers modernisation quickly, efficiently and successfully with minimal disruption to your business.
Specialist supportOur experts support your DCL and VMS jobs on your target platform – without the need for conversion. There is no rewriting to cryptic UNIX scripts or Windows .BAT files, and you don’t need to convert your calls.
Improved data handlingMigrating from OpenVMS enables the modernisation of your database. Your RMS files and RDB tables can be migrated directly to Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server.
Minimise the difficulties that come with the day-to-day handling of OpenVMS applications by replatforming to Linux, Unix or Windows. It will give you time back to focus on innovative projects.
Increased agilityReact and respond quickly to business changes and new opportunities with applications that can be easily changed and integrated. Be confident in your IT’s ability to keep ahead.
Availability of skillsModernised applications mean you are less likely to deal with the skills shortage, and now have access to a larger pool of suitable people, reducing costs.
Improved interoperabilityModernising OpenVMS applications opens up the opportunity of using more modern, future-proofed technologies, rather than creating workarounds to integrate applications.
Legacy technology does not handle new applications well, so finding a migration provider you can trust is vital. Procuring tools and services to modernise legacy technology might seem risky, but if you don’t, procurement itself will become difficult.
Effective and clear planningDefined modernisation project timescales and costs upfront to ensure you know what to expect. After modernisation, planning will be more reliable as your technology will be more powerful.
Minimal business disruptionWe partner with you during the whole process to ensure there is minimal business disruption. Our automated tools mean the business logic and user interface remain consistent.
Continuous savingsModernised technology is less costly to handle. Hardware parts are more easily accessible and the skills pool to run the new technology is much larger, meaning reduced running costs.
PROCESS OVERVIEW
Police Mutual migrated from OpenVMS with Natural/Adabas to Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Server, Visual Studio and Hyper-V.
This whitepaper looks at the available options for migration and the benefits that might be achieved through OpenVMS modernisation.
Exploring the impact of the new era of digitalisation and change on the current state of legacy systems and organisations' modernisation plans.
Live discussion: 2022 Mainframe Modernisation Report
Inside the largest modernisation in UK Government history
Although the mainframe’s stellar reputation for security remains untarnished, there are some growing ancillary risks that are influencing platform decision-making.
Several big tech partners are parting ways with OpenVMS. This blog navigates the potential avenues one might take towards modernisation.
With the end of the Itanium chip, the Integrity range of servers dies too - meaning there will be no supported hardware servers for OpenVMS any more.
by Tim Jones, Managing Director - Application Modernisation
Read our application modernisation blogs