SoftwareMining •
COBOL to Java & C#
• Predictable & Repeatable
Maine Revenue Services and its systems integrator, Revenue Solutions, Inc. (RSI), used SoftwareMining's automated, rule-based COBOL-to-Java translation toolkit to modernize a mission-critical IBM mainframe tax processing application. The translated Java application successfully supported State of Maine tax processing for approximately 15 years before being replaced as part of a later business transformation programme.
State government modernization requires long-term operational stability, strict governance, auditability and uninterrupted public services. The Maine Revenue Services project demonstrates how established COBOL business logic can be moved to maintainable Java while continuing to support essential government operations.
Government agencies face unique modernization challenges, including long application lifecycles, strict governance, audit requirements and uninterrupted public services. This case study shows how Maine Revenue Services modernized a mission-critical COBOL tax system to Java while supporting approximately 15 years of successful production operation.
"We are seeing profound advantages from this modernization initiative. Beyond achieving cost and maintenance targets, our teams are markedly more efficient, paving the way for improved service to Maine's citizens."
Since its launch in 2009, the Java application translated from the original COBOL system operated successfully in production for approximately 15 years. This long production history demonstrates the reliability of the modernization approach and the robustness of SoftwareMining's rule-based translation technology.
After approximately 15 years in production, the application was replaced as part of a wider business transformation programme rather than due to any technical limitations of the translated Java solution.
Intent on elevating service standards for its taxpayers and curbing IT costs, the state embarked on an evaluation journey. The tax system, a relic from the mid-1990s, was tethered to outdated technology. The dwindling pool of COBOL-trained professionals, thanks to the shift in academic curriculum towards languages like Java and C#, threatened the state's competitive edge in the IT recruitment space.
Faced with alternatives, manually rewriting code, adopting new software, or rejuvenating their COBOL infrastructure, the state recognized the pitfalls of the first two. Manual rewrites were time-intensive and error-prone, while new software meant sacrificing existing customizations and grappling with steep learning curves. With SoftwareMining, the state transformed its COBOL-based system into an agile and maintainable Java framework, preserving essential functionalities. Collaborating with System Integrator Revenue Solutions Inc. (RSI) and supported by the Maine Office of Information Technology, the project's four phases saw the successful conversion of 600 programs, catering to 250 online users.
The migration unfolded smoothly, ensuring all enhancements from the legacy system were retained. System familiarity simplified testing, resulting in cost efficiencies. Maine Revenue Services' projections placed the project's cost at a staggering 70% below that of a system replacement. Additionally, the transformation approach sidestepped extensive retraining, accruing further savings. SoftwareMining's prowess facilitated a seamless modernization without compromising on functionalities, positioning Maine Revenue Services to achieve and exceed their objectives. In a landscape where legacy system upkeep consumes over 70% of IT budgets, Maine's proactive approach catalyzed significant savings while amplifying IT and service delivery standards.