Our Client
The client handles global shipping and logistics operations, with critical systems for bookings, documentation, billing, and compliance running on legacy IBM i applications. These systems were reliable, but hard to update, difficult to use, and increasingly complex to support.
Business Need
The client’s core systems were built on Synon CA 2E, running on IBM i. Many of these apps still worked, but the way people interacted with them hadn’t changed in decades. Green-screen interfaces were slowing down adoption. Updates required niche skills that were hard to find. And most of the code wasn’t documented.
The business needed to move forward but couldn’t afford any disruption to live operations.
They were looking for:
- A clean assessment of what to modernize and when
- A phased plan that avoided risky cutovers
- Modern, browser-based UIs to replace green-screen workflows
- Better accuracy and fewer manual steps in billing and documentation
- A future-ready architecture, built on services and APIs
- A way to move forward without needing to rewrite everything from scratch
Solution
We began by mapping the client’s IBM i application landscape and defining a phased modernization plan which aligned with their goals using our AI-assisted delivery framework. The focus was to reduce risk, improve delivery speed, and modernize steadily without disrupting day-to-day operations.
- POC and Modernization Roadmap Assessed the full IBM i environment and defined a modernization roadmap with clear, manageable phases aligned to business priorities, supported by a proof of concept that demonstrated the quality of outcomes delivered through our AI framework.
- AI-Assisted Refactoring Used AI tools to accelerate legacy code conversion while keeping engineers in control of validation and quality.
- Modern Frontend and Backend Architecture Built React-based user interfaces with Java microservices and an API layer for clean system integration.
- Parallel Rollout Strategy Kept legacy applications running while modern modules were introduced, avoiding risky cutovers.
- Reusable Components Delivered shared web and backend components designed to scale across multiple applications.
- Knowledge Capture and Documentation Created a central repository to document business logic and reduce dependence on legacy IBM i expertise.
- Enablement and Change Management Trained business users and technical teams on the modernized platform, driving user adoption through hands-on enablement, structured knowledge transfer, and change management support.
- Database Migration Migrated data from DB2 to SQL with a structured approach that ensured data integrity, performance optimization, and compatibility with the modernized application architecture.
Business Impact
The client began seeing real improvements early in the rollout. Teams could handle bookings and billing faster, with less manual work. Turnaround times dropped, documentation was more accurate, and operations kept running smoothly throughout. Most importantly, they now have a stable, future-ready foundation that doesn’t require migrations from scratch.
The modernization program has already delivered measurable results:
- Proven, scalable delivery partner capable of transforming enterprise-grade systems at scale, including modernization of 11+ million lines of code
- 30% reduction in booking cycle time
- 55% improvement in accounts receivable processing
- $4M+ projected savings through AI-assisted development and reusable components
- Fewer manual hand-offs and less rework in billing and documentation
- Modern services running alongside legacy systems without disruption
- Stronger compliance oversight and a scalable, API-first architecture
Where Things Stand Now
Modernization began in early 2024 and is being rolled out in stages. We are on the road to deliver 4 modules in the first year of our journey. The client continues to run their business on a more stable, maintainable architecture, while replacing legacy modules one step at a time. The long-term roadmap is clear, and the day-to-day operations are running smoother.
Plan a Zero-Downtime IBM i Modernization
