Insurance Case Study: Refactoring Mainframe COBOL to Java and C#

A leading insurance organization successfully modernized its IBM Z-Series mainframe applications using SoftwareMining's COBOL-to-Java and COBOL-to-C# translation technology. The migration was deployed on Amazon AWS, transforming legacy systems into scalable, cloud-native applications.

The teams have been using the SoftwareMining-based solution in production for some time, and it has proven to be very stable. A testament to the quality of the solution. SoftwareMining was instrumental in the successful migration off the mainframe.

Project Sponsor
November 2023
Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview of the Migration Project

The modernization effort refactored COBOL batch and online systems into both Java and C# components. Approximately 40 percent of batch modules were converted to C# for .NET, while the remaining modules were migrated to Java. SoftwareMining's Translator also converted JCL (Job Control Language) scripts into Unix Shell scripts, providing complete support for end-to-end modernization.

The refactoring and testing were conducted by the client's internal team, supported by their System Integrator, ensuring full control over project schedules, budgets, and quality assurance. This approach enabled a smooth, phased migration aligned with business priorities.

The online components, including COBOL CICS and BMS programs, were translated into Java and JSP. Once modernized, these applications were deployed on the Apache Tomcat application server and hosted on Amazon AWS, delivering improved performance, flexibility, and scalability.

Database Transition: A Two-Platform Strategy

In the next phase, the database layer was also modernized. The original DB2 database used by COBOL applications was migrated to two modern systems:

PostgreSQL: for Java-based components, ensuring open-source flexibility and SQL compatibility.
Microsoft SQL Server: for C#/.NET components, leveraging native integration and performance optimization.

This dual-platform design optimized performance, supported scalability, and ensured seamless integration between both Java and .NET environments.

Key Outcomes

Successful modernization from IBM Z-Series to AWS cloud deployment.
Seamless coexistence of Java and C# components within one unified system.
Improved system stability, maintainability, and performance.
Full autonomy for internal teams and secure, in-house project control.
Cost savings through mainframe decommissioning and use of modern cloud infrastructure.

Explore related projects in our COBOL Modernization Success Stories .