4 Keys to Successful Mainframe Modernization

The drive toward modernizing legacy systems is fueled by three critical challenges: high operating costs, a dwindling pool of experienced mainframe personnel, and significant hurdles in integrating legacy technologies with modern computing platforms.  The pain associated with each of these challenges is growing more and more acute with the passage of time.

There is good news, however, for mainframe shops: The costs, risks, and timeframes associated with legacy modernization have all declined precipitously.  Automation is changing the game, shifting the cost-benefit equation dramatically and prompting more organizations to finally make the move from the mainframe to the cloud.

Successful projects begin with a thorough assessment. Unfortunately, many legacy systems have evolved over the years, sometimes with inadequate documentation.  In many cases, vital information has been lost as employees retired or moved on to other organizations. Unless you first get the lay of the land, it’s hard to develop a sound plan based on the right modernization pattern.

Once that decision has been made, there are a number of strategies for reducing cost and risk, while shortening the timeframe for final project delivery. Astadia recommends an approach that focuses on four key elements—automation, automated testing, generative AI, and scalability.

#1: Automation

Change implies risk. The shift from legacy mainframe systems to the cloud is certainly not trivial, so it makes good sense to limit change wherever possible. The risks associated with changing business rules can stand in the way of an otherwise smooth migration, so we recommend code conversion and data migration that results in exact functional equivalency with the original source systems. Robust automation tools provide a fast-track to achieving that. Astadia’s Migration Factory approach, for example, achieves nearly 100% automation, delivering functional equivalency and comparable performance. By leveraging high levels of automation, companies can avoid the pitfalls of manual errors and ensure a seamless transition.

#2: Automated Testing

Testing typically consumes at least 50% of the time, effort, and budget in successful migration projects. It follows, therefore, that automated testing is more than just a convenience; it's an absolute necessity. Automated testing allows for thorough and frequent test runs, ensuring that all functionality is preserved, that all subsystems operate as expected in the new cloud environment, and that system performance meets the desired specifications. Fully automated testing provides a level of consistency and thoroughness that fosters high levels of confidence among stakeholders.  When it comes time to cut over to the newly migrated system, project leaders can do so knowing that their mission-critical applications will perform reliably. 

#3: GenAI

Generative AI (GenAI) has been taking on an increasingly important role in legacy modernization. It’s important, however, to apply this new technology appropriately. Typically, that means augmenting the skills and judgment of seasoned mainframe modernization experts, delivering faster results and delving deeper into the contextual details of each legacy system.

It would be a mistake to assume that GenAI is capable of performing code conversion at scale.  It can indeed be used selectively for some code and data conversion tasks; but from a larger perspective, it enhances overall project capabilities, particularly in testing and enhancing code explainability. At Astadia, we deploy GenAI to assist with code analysis and to accelerate other tasks that involve the review and summary analysis of highly detailed information.

Applying GenAI across all facets of migration projects helps technical teams to tackle complex problems more efficiently and with greater accuracy, ensuring that all components of the system harmonize effectively post-migration.

#4: Scalability

By bringing together the best in automated code conversion, automated testing, and GenAI, organizations can achieve the scalability necessary for migrating large-scale systems with years of accumulated legacy code. This is particularly important for large financial organizations that must manage vast amounts of data and highly complex system integrations. Scalability ensures that as an organization evolves, its modernized systems can adapt and expand without compromising performance or functionality.

Mainframe modernization is not just about upgrading old systems but transforming them in a way that aligns with contemporary business needs and technological advancements. These four keys, – Automation, Automated Testing, GenAI, and Scalability, – work together to form a robust framework that can help organizations to navigate the complexities of modernization successfully, with lower cost, effort, and risk than ever before. For enterprises poised to undertake this transformative journey, adopting these strategies will pave the way for a future-proof, efficient, and scalable infrastructure.

Interested in discussing your mainframe modernization project with one of Astadia’s experts? Contact us today.