5 AI Tools for Mainframe-to-Cloud Migration 2024
Struggling to move your mainframe to the cloud? These 5 AI tools can help:
- Laminar: Best for small to medium businesses
- SoftwareMining: Ideal for COBOL to Java/C# conversion
- Mechanical Orchard: Great for reverse engineering without source code
- Kyndryl AI Solutions: Perfect for large enterprises
- BMC AI Assistant: Focuses on data management and AWS integration
Here's a quick comparison:
| Tool | Best For | Key Feature | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminar | SMBs | No-code integrations | From $4,999/mo |
| SoftwareMining | COBOL systems | Code conversion | Custom |
| Mechanical Orchard | No source code | Reverse engineering | Custom |
| Kyndryl | Large enterprises | Comprehensive platform | Custom |
| BMC AI Assistant | Data management | AWS integration | Custom |
These tools can cut migration time by up to 40% and boost profits by 9-11%. But which one's right for you? It depends on your company size, tech needs, and budget.
Let's dive in and see how these AI tools can make your mainframe-to-cloud move a whole lot easier.
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1. Laminar
Laminar is an AI-powered platform that helps companies move from mainframes to the cloud. It's especially useful for industries stuck with old systems.
Integration
Laminar connects old systems to modern cloud platforms. Its AI lets engineers create custom integrations without writing tons of code. This is great for industries like logistics, oil and gas, manufacturing, and retail.
A manufacturing company used Laminar to connect its old mainframe inventory system to a new cloud-based ERP. They did it in just three weeks - 70% faster than usual.
Automation
Laminar's AI is good at:
- Making workflows from existing processes
- Changing old code to work in the cloud
- Connecting different systems with APIs
This cuts down on manual work. A logistics company said Laminar's AI made their code conversion 60% faster.
Risk Mitigation
Laminar has built-in safety features:
- Finds and fixes errors automatically
- Watches integration processes in real-time
- Tests migrated systems thoroughly
These features make mainframe-to-cloud moves safer. A retail chain had 40% fewer problems after migration when using Laminar.
Cost
Laminar's pricing depends on how much you need to integrate:
| Plan | Price | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $4,999/mo | 10 integrations, 5 seats | Small to medium businesses |
| Scale | $14,999/mo | 50 integrations, unlimited seats | Large enterprises |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom deployment, dedicated support | Complex, multi-system migrations |
Laminar can save money by reducing work hours and mistakes. An oil and gas company saved over $200,000 in their first year using Laminar.
Faizaan Chishtie, Laminar's CEO, says:
"We made Laminar to help industries like manufacturing and logistics that are stuck with old systems. Our AI doesn't just make migration faster - it also makes it less risky and cheaper."
2. SoftwareMining
SoftwareMining offers AI-powered tools for mainframe-to-cloud migration. They focus on converting COBOL to Java and C#/.NET, prioritizing functional correctness, performance, and security.
Integration
SoftwareMining's tools are great at connecting old mainframe systems with new cloud platforms. They cover:
- CICS functionality conversion
- BMS/MFS screen format migration
- Moving data from KSDS indexed files to SQL databases
This all-in-one approach helps old and new systems work together smoothly, reducing hiccups during migration.
Automation
SoftwareMining's main strength is its advanced code analysis and conversion:
- COBOL to Java/C# Translation: Their translator creates maintainable, correct code with less manual work.
- Data Structure Conversion: It automatically creates SQL database schemas from VSAM/KSDS structures.
- Interface Adaptation: The tools translate interfaces to work with different queueing systems.
These features speed things up BIG TIME. For example, ING Bank used SoftwareMining to move 1.5 million lines of COBOL to Java in just 18 months. That's WAY faster than old-school methods.
Risk Mitigation
SoftwareMining takes safety seriously during migration:
- They do lots of testing, comparing transactions between old and new systems.
- Their tools help convert character encoding from EBCDIC to ASCII, keeping data accurate.
- Sensitive data can stay on-site during migration, which is great for security.
These safety measures work well in the real world. TransUnion used SoftwareMining's tools to move their Credit Reference and Credit Report Processing systems from Tandem COBOL to Java. The result? Everything worked perfectly, with zero downtime.
"The results were excellent. This massive undertaking was a success primarily due to SoftwareMining." - Enterprise Architect, TransUnion
SoftwareMining combines AI-powered tools with a focus on security and functionality. By automating complex conversions and prioritizing safety, they offer a solid solution for companies wanting to modernize their old systems quickly and safely.
3. Mechanical Orchard
Mechanical Orchard is shaking up mainframe-to-cloud migration with AI. Founded in 2022 by Rob Mee, Matthew Work, and Dan Podsedly, this startup's making waves fast.
Integration
Mechanical Orchard's approach to connecting old and new systems is different:
1. They kick off with a pilot project, zeroing in on a specific component.
2. No source code? No problem. They treat the app like a black box and reverse engineer it for the cloud.
3. They test continuously, running the migrated part alongside the old one.
This method's a hit. Just ask James Ryan, VP of Software Engineering at Omni Logistics:
"Mechanical Orchard's team tore through our legacy systems and core processes. They mapped out our tech future. Their problem-solving skills? Top-notch."
Automation
AI's the star of Mechanical Orchard's show:
- It chews through billions of lines of old mainframe code.
- Spots what's active, what's dead, and what's crucial.
- Helps engineers rewrite code WAY faster.
Rob Mee, Co-founder and CEO, doesn't mess around:
"No line of code gets written that hasn't been tested."
This laser focus on quality? It's paid off. They hit double-digit millions in revenue and turned a profit in 2023, just a year after starting.
Cost
Mechanical Orchard doesn't broadcast their prices, but here's what we know:
- They snagged $24 million in Series A funding, valuing them at $95 million.
- Their method's faster, potentially cutting overall migration costs.
- They keep systems running during migration, minimizing disruption and extra expenses.
Here's some food for thought: $13 trillion of the US economy and 71% of Fortune 500 companies still use old mainframe systems. And poor-quality software? It's costing the US economy $1.52 trillion.
Mechanical Orchard's AI-powered, step-by-step approach could be the answer. As Rob Mee puts it:
"Enterprise CIOs know they need to modernize. But as things speed up, the pressure's on. They need to ditch the quick fixes and find solutions they can trust for a safe, lasting transition."
With offices across Europe and partnerships with big cloud players like AWS, Azure, and Google, Mechanical Orchard's ready to help Global 2000 companies make the jump to modern, cloud-based apps.
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4. Kyndryl AI Solutions
Kyndryl's AI-powered tools are changing the mainframe-to-cloud migration game. As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, they're helping big companies modernize their systems.
Integration
The Kyndryl Bridge open integration platform is the key. It connects old mainframes to new cloud systems by:
- Setting up cloud services automatically
- Keeping an eye on everything
- Spotting issues early
Most companies (95%) are moving some mainframe apps to the cloud, with an average of 37% of workloads being shifted. Kyndryl's tools make this process easier.
Automation
Kyndryl's AI is speeding up migrations:
- Turning old code into modern languages
- Creating and improving app docs
- Understanding how apps work
These AI tools aren't just fancy tech - they're money-savers. Companies using them see profits increase by 9-11%, saving about $25 million yearly.
Petra Goude, who leads Kyndryl's Core Enterprise & zCloud team, says:
"Kyndryl is taking a bold next step to enable and accelerate our customers' mainframe modernization journey by unlocking their applications and data through the deployment of AI and generative AI."
Risk Mitigation
Kyndryl takes security seriously:
- Using quantum-safe encryption
- Following regulations (important to 92% of companies)
- Having 7,500+ mainframe experts and 8,000+ AWS pros ready to help
Security matters - 49% of companies say it's their top reason for upgrading mainframes.
Kyndryl's approach is popular. Their survey shows 86% of companies are using or planning to use AI tools in their mainframe setups. And 71% are already using AI-driven insights in their modernization plans.
In short, Kyndryl's AI tools help companies keep their mainframes relevant while moving to the cloud. It's about making everything work together smoothly and securely.
5. BMC AI Assistant
BMC's AI Assistant is changing the mainframe-to-cloud migration game in 2024. Here's how it's making old systems new again:
Integration
BMC AI Assistant connects mainframes and cloud platforms like never before:
- It creates a smooth data flow between mainframes and AWS Cloud.
- The tool swaps out clunky hardware storage for Amazon S3 object storage.
A big bank using BMC AI Assistant cut their data transfer time by 40%. That's huge.
Automation
This tool is all about working smarter:
- It uses AI-powered chat to help debug code and understand systems.
- It finds, moves, and manages mainframe data in the cloud automatically.
- The assistant even makes backup copies of data in the cloud, with compression and encryption.
John McKenny from BMC says:
"An AI agent should be able to surface guidance and insights that help streamline workflows."
A major retailer using BMC AI Assistant cut their code conversion time by 60%. That freed up their developers for bigger projects.
Cost
BMC keeps their exact prices quiet, but here's what we know:
- Pricing is custom for each customer.
- There's no setup fee for BMC AMI Cloud.
- You might need to pay for S3 storage based on how much you use.
A medium-sized factory saved $150,000 in their first year with BMC AI Assistant. They spent less time coding by hand and got things done faster.
BMC's AI Assistant is a powerful tool for updating mainframe systems. It connects old and new tech, automates tasks, and offers flexible pricing. As mainframe experts retire, tools like this aren't just helpful - they're necessary to stay competitive.
Tool Comparison
Let's break down the key features of these five mainframe-to-cloud migration tools to help you pick the right one for your needs.
Integration Capabilities
Laminar shines in connecting old systems to new cloud platforms without heavy coding. It's a go-to for logistics, oil and gas, manufacturing, and retail sectors.
SoftwareMining is your best bet if you're dealing with COBOL. They specialize in turning it into Java and C#/.NET, offering an all-in-one solution for smooth transitions.
Mechanical Orchard takes a different route. They treat apps like black boxes, reverse-engineering them for the cloud. This approach is gold when you can't access the source code.
Kyndryl's Bridge platform is all about automation. It sets up cloud services and keeps an eye on things in real-time. Perfect for companies moving a chunk of their workload to the cloud.
BMC AI Assistant focuses on creating smooth data flows between mainframes and cloud platforms like AWS. They're particularly good at swapping out hardware storage for cloud object storage.
Automation and AI Capabilities
| Tool | Automation Highlights | AI Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Laminar | Creates workflows, converts code | Builds custom integrations |
| SoftwareMining | Analyzes and converts code | Turns COBOL into Java/C# |
| Mechanical Orchard | Analyzes legacy code, spots active code | Rewrites code quickly |
| Kyndryl AI Solutions | Converts code, creates app docs | Grasps app functionality |
| BMC AI Assistant | AI chat for debugging, manages data | Streamlines workflows |
Risk Mitigation and Security
SoftwareMining puts functional correctness and security first. They offer thorough testing and let you keep sensitive data on-site during migration.
Kyndryl focuses on security with quantum-safe encryption and regulatory compliance. This addresses the concerns of most companies prioritizing security in their upgrades.
BMC AI Assistant provides automated backup and encryption. These features are crucial for keeping your data safe and sound during migration.
Cost Considerations
Pricing varies, but here's a rough guide:
- Laminar starts at $4,999/month for small to medium businesses, with custom options for bigger companies.
- Kyndryl and Mechanical Orchard don't share public pricing. Their solutions are aimed at large enterprises and Global 2000 companies.
- BMC AI Assistant offers custom pricing for their cloud services, without setup fees.
- SoftwareMining doesn't publish prices, but their focus on large-scale conversions suggests enterprise-level costs.
Real-World Impact
Laminar helped a manufacturer link their old inventory system to a new cloud-based ERP in just three weeks. That's 70% faster than usual methods.
SoftwareMining moved 1.5 million lines of COBOL to Java for ING Bank in 18 months, speeding up their modernization big time.
Mechanical Orchard's approach has won praise from clients like Omni Logistics for solving problems fast.
Kyndryl's solutions have boosted profits by 9-11% for companies, which translates to about $25 million in yearly savings.
A major retailer using BMC AI Assistant cut their code conversion time by 60%, freeing up their developers for more important work.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Picking the right AI tool for mainframe-to-cloud migration isn't one-size-fits-all. It depends on your company's size, tech needs, and budget. Let's break it down:
Small to Medium Businesses
For smaller companies in logistics, oil and gas, manufacturing, or retail, Laminar might be your go-to. Why?
- It's budget-friendly, starting at $4,999/month for 10 integrations.
- It's quick. One manufacturing company linked their old inventory system to a new cloud-based ERP in just three weeks.
- Laminar's AI builds integrations without heavy coding. Perfect if you're short on IT folks.
Large Enterprises with COBOL Systems
Got a big company with COBOL legacy systems? SoftwareMining might be your best bet:
- It turns COBOL into Java and C#/.NET, keeping everything working.
- It's battle-tested. ING Bank used it to convert 1.5 million lines of COBOL to Java in 18 months.
- It's security-focused. Your sensitive data can stay put during migration.
Need Reverse Engineering?
Can't access your source code? Mechanical Orchard has a unique trick up its sleeve:
- They treat apps like black boxes, reverse-engineering them for the cloud.
- They run migrated parts alongside old ones, making sure everything's smooth.
- They're fast. They hit double-digit millions in revenue just a year after starting.
Global 2000 Companies
If you're a big player, Kyndryl AI Solutions might be your speed:
- Their Kyndryl Bridge connects old mainframes to new cloud systems automatically.
- Companies using their tools see profits jump by 9-11%, saving about $25 million yearly.
- They've got 7,500+ mainframe experts and 8,000+ AWS pros. That's a lot of brain power.
Data Management Focus
If data's your main concern, check out BMC AI Assistant:
- It creates smooth connections between mainframes and cloud platforms like AWS.
- It swaps hardware storage for Amazon S3 object storage efficiently.
- A major retailer cut their code conversion time by 60% using it.
Making Your Choice
When picking your tool, think about:
1. Money matters
Laminar's the most upfront about pricing. The others don't publish prices but are aimed at bigger companies.
2. Tech know-how
No COBOL experts? SoftwareMining might be key. Limited IT resources? Laminar's no-code approach could be a lifesaver.
3. How big is your migration?
Massive, complex job? Kyndryl's comprehensive platform and expert support shine. Smaller company? Laminar or BMC AI Assistant might fit better.
4. Data worries
If data security keeps you up at night, look at SoftwareMining's on-site data handling or Kyndryl's quantum-safe encryption.
5. Time crunch
Need it done yesterday? Mechanical Orchard's approach has shown quick results for big projects. Want to take it slow? BMC AI Assistant lets you migrate in phases.
FAQs
Can mainframe run on AWS?
Yes, you can run mainframe applications on AWS. Here's how:
AWS offers a service called AWS Mainframe Modernization. It's a platform that lets you move your old-school mainframe apps to the cloud.
Here's what you get:
1. Two ways to move
You can either replatform or refactor your apps. Pick what works best for you.
2. AWS does the heavy lifting
They manage the infrastructure. You focus on your apps.
3. All-in-one toolkit
You get tools to replatform, refactor, test, and move data. It's all there.
4. Pay for what you use
No long contracts. No complex licenses. Just pay as you go.
5. Works with old systems
Even if you're running critical apps on big, central computers, you can still move to the cloud.
The AWS Mainframe Modernization team says:
"AWS Mainframe Modernization service is a unique platform that allows you to migrate and modernize your on-premises mainframe applications to a cloud native fully-managed runtime environment on AWS."
Moving to the cloud isn't just about tech. It's about getting your business ready for the digital world.
