This article explores the comprehensive mainframe migration solutions provided by AWS, designed to facilitate the transition of mainframe workloads to the cloud. AWS offers a robust suite of tools and services that support both the refactoring and replatforming of legacy systems into modern, cloud-optimized architectures.
Mainframe to Cloud Series #2 of 2
Last update: 18.6.2024
Mainframe Migration Offerings of AWS
AWS Mainframe Migration Solutions
AWS provides an array of services tailored to the needs of organizations seeking to modernize their mainframe environments. These offerings are geared towards enhancing scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness through the use of AWS’s cloud infrastructure. The AWS portfolio is smaller than the one from Azure, as it seems to mostly focus on BlueAge for refactoring & Microfocus Enterprise server for replatforming.
Refactoring Solutions
AWS Blu Age Refactor automatically converts legacy monolithic mainframe or midrange source code into modern applications. It supports a variety of legacy languages and systems, including COBOL, generated COBOL, PL/1, NATURAL, RPG/400, and COBOL/400. Underlying databases and data files such as DB2, DB2/400, VSAM, IMS, and IDMS are transformed into modern distributed applications utilizing contemporary frameworks and databases like Angular, Java/Spring, PostgreSQL, Amazon Aurora, RDS for PostgreSQL, Oracle Database, and IBM Db2.
Replatforming Solutions
TmaxSoft on AWS offers a seamless path for mainframes to be replatformed onto AWS’s cloud infrastructure. By utilizing TmaxSoft’s OpenFrame, organizations can move their legacy systems to the cloud without needing to rewrite or rearchitect their applications. This facilitates a reduction in total cost of ownership while increasing the operational flexibility of mainframe-dependent enterprises.
MicroFocus on AWS enables the migration and modernization of COBOL, PL/I, and Assembler applications. This platform integrates with AWS services to provide scalable and high-performing environments, allowing traditional mainframe applications to leverage the benefits of AWS cloud technologies. It supports modern development practices and tools, easing the transition and subsequent management of legacy applications within a modern cloud context.
Conclusion
According to the ISG mainframe solutions and modernization report 2024, AWS is a leader in mainframe modernization services. Probably executing the most mainframe migrations with BlueAge and MicroFocus.
Link to their portfolio: LINK
Interestingly, heirloom, the COBOL to java refactoring provider, is not represented on the Azure and AWS portfolio, but is on the Google Cloud one. same for BASE100, which is also a refactoring provider.