Introduction

Mainframe modernization is a complex task with challenges that can derail even the most well-intentioned projects. Legacy systems, often decades old, require specialized expertise and a tailored approach. To address these challenges and provide the necessary support to succeed, AWS Countdown Premium offers a new use case that’s specifically designed for customers who use the AWS Mainframe Modernization service.

Challenges of mainframe modernization

Mainframe modernization is more than just a technology upgrade. It's a strategic transformation that involves rethinking how applications and data are architected, developed, and deployed. Organizations that initiate this journey face some of the following key challenges:

• Legacy systems: Dealing with complex and often undocumented legacy systems can be time-consuming and error-prone.

• Data migration: Migrating data from mainframe platforms to modern environments can require careful planning and implementation because of proprietary formats and large volumes.

• Skill gaps: Many organizations lack the in-house expertise that's needed to modernize their mainframe applications successfully.

• Risk management: The risks that are associated with mainframe modernization, such as data loss or application downtime, can be significant.

AWS Mainframe Modernization

The AWS Mainframe Modernization service provides migration, modernization, execution, and operation capabilities for your mainframe applications. It provides a structured framework and toolset to migrate legacy applications to AWS cloud infrastructure. AWS Mainframe Modernization is supported by best practices and recommendations from the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP). To help customers run mainframe modernization confidently, MAP is designed to mitigate risks and accelerate adoption. AWS Countdown Premium goes one step further to provide a designated support engineer with domain expertise for a monthly subscription add-on. The support engineer works alongside your project team and delivery partner to help facilitate project success.

AWS Countdown Premium for mainframe modernization

AWS Countdown Premium provides a comprehensive solution to address challenges and help mitigate risk in your mainframe modernization project. This offering benefits your organization in the following ways:

• Designated support engineer: A designated support engineer works closely with your project team and delivery partners to provide expert guidance and assistance throughout the modernization process.

• Domain expertise: Our Cloud Support engineers have in-depth knowledge of mainframe technologies and best practices, along with access to proven runbooks. They're also trained on the AWS Mainframe Modernization service and its patterns. These engineers use their knowledge and experience to provide valuable insights and recommendations.

• Single point of contact: The designated Cloud Support engineer can function as a central point of contact for the AWS Mainframe Modernization service as needed. They can assist in streamlining communications between the customer and AWS service team.

• Technical workshops: AWS offers tailored workshops to help your team develop the skills that they need to modernize your mainframe applications successfully. The AWS Countdown Premium engineer coordinates scheduling the workshop and includes other Amazon subject matter experts as needed.

• Migration planning and support assistance: Cloud Support engineers can help with migration planning, including data mapping, application conversion, and testing strategies.

• Support coverage: AWS schedules and provides support during critical cutovers to minimize downtime and facilitate a seamless transition.

Benefits of AWS Countdown Premium

AWS Countdown Premium offering provides you with the following benefits:

• Technical expertise: Proactive technical guidance during all phases of your project, including migration planning, delivery, testing, cutover, and hyper-care phases.

• Project management and training: Technical workshops related to platform and migration planning such as tooling, templates, and runbooks.

• Risk mitigation: The AWS Countdown Premium team helps you identify and address potential risks to minimize disruptions and facilitate a successful outcome. Designated engineers coordinate the root cause analysis and help accelerate the resolution of mainframe modernization technical issues, even when the resolution requires multiple service teams.

The following image illustrates the customer’s journey. It shows how AWS Countdown Premium facilitates the application's modernization and provides robust end-to-end support under tight deadlines.

Example use cases for AWS Countdown Premium

Understanding the mainframe environment

Organizations have been using mainframes for decades to run highly customized, mission-critical applications. These applications are typically written in legacy coding languages, including COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler, that require specialized knowledge. The code base for these applications is typically extensive, with some applications containing millions of lines of code. Before you initiate migration, make sure to understand the environment, including the dependencies, data flows, and security mechanisms. AWS Mainframe Modernization includes tools such as Blu Insights to help you analyze your application code and understand interdependencies and other factors. This crucial output provides datapoints to scope and shape the migration. AWS Countdown Premium can help you leverage the capability of these tools.

Assessing application characteristics

One of the primary challenges in migrating from mainframes to the cloud is making sure that the applications can function correctly in the new environment. Mainframes offer features such as high transaction throughput, low latency, and strong consistency. Cloud environments, while flexible and scalable, differ significantly in how they handle certain aspects. It might not be easy to migrate applications that are designed for a mainframe to a cloud environment because of differences in architecture, middleware, and underlying hardware. Also, mainframe applications are usually monolithic and are designed as single, indivisible units. This makes it difficult to decompose or refactor them for the cloud. AWS Countdown Premium engineers can help analyze your environment as you review each application’s characteristics and suitability to migrate to the cloud.

Data migration challenges

Data migration is a critical aspect of moving from a mainframe to a cloud environment. Mainframes handle vast amounts of data that are stored in legacy databases such as IBM Db2 or Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM). When you migrate this data to a cloud-based system, you must make sure that data integrity, consistency, and security are maintained throughout the process. Because data formats might differ between the mainframe and cloud environment, transformations that can introduce risks of data loss or corruption are needed. Understanding these challenges is a critical component of preparing for your migration. If you're using databases that AWS Mainframe Modernization supports, then AWS Countdown Premium engineers can guide the discussions decisions during the scoping of the migration project.

Performance and scalability considerations

Mainframes are known for their performance and scalability. They can handle thousands of transactions per second with minimal downtime. Cloud environments, while scalable, usually operate on different principles. One example is horizontal scaling (adding more instances) rather than vertical scaling (adding more power to a single instance) that’s typically used in mainframes. To make sure that applications can scale effectively in the cloud, you must make careful architectural changes, such as breaking down monolithic applications into microservices. This is a complex consideration in any modernization and migration journey. AWS Countdown Premium engineers, along with other AWS subject matter experts, can help you analyze these considerations and make decisions.

Dependency management

Mainframe applications have numerous dependencies, including third-party software, custom-built tools, and other legacy systems. Understanding and managing these dependencies during migration is crucial to avoid disruptions. Some of these dependencies might no longer be supported or might not have direct equivalents in the cloud environment. This could require workarounds or replacement solutions. AWS Countdown Premium includes workshop sessions and other subject matter experts as needed to help validate and guide the dependency mapping of your environment.

Conclusion

Mainframe modernization is a complex and strategic initiative that requires careful planning and execution. With the AWS Countdown Premium offering, you can gain access to the specialized expertise and support that’s needed to facilitate a successful outcome. Our dedicated support engineers, technical workshops, and 24/7 support coverage can help you navigate the challenges of modernization and achieve your business objectives. Don't let lack of mainframe modernization expertise become a roadblock for moving to the cloud. Partner with us today and accelerate your digital transformation.

AWS Countdown Premium for AWS Mainframe Modernization currently only supports the replatform migration pattern, powered by Rocket Software Enterprise Suite of tools (formerly, Micro Focus).

For more information on the AWS Mainframe Modernization service, see AWS Mainframe modernization. For more information on AWS Countdown Premium and its pricing, see the AWS Support Center. To sign up, open AWS Countdown page, choose Get started, and then choose Sign up. When you sign up, be sure to specify Modernization as your use case.

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About the authors

Paul Ikin

As the Head of Mainframe Modernization Adoption at AWS, Paul leads a global team of experts who are responsible for supporting the successful migration of applications from legacy platforms to the AWS Cloud. Paul has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. He’s a passionate leader and innovator in the field of application modernization and is committed to the success of AWS customers.

Aman Arora

Aman Arora is a Senior Product Manager for AWS Support who leads the AWS Countdown product. He helps customers run and optimize critical events, product launches, migrations, and modernization on AWS.