Ivory Modernizes Mainframe at Top HR, Payroll Outsourcer 
Securex, one of the largest HR and payroll outsourcers in Belgium, modernized their customer-facing mainframe applications to be more interactive, responsive and cost-effective using GT Software’s Ivory Service Architect. IDN examines how Ivory moved an aging batch CRM application to a new platform, converted it from VSAM to CICS and opened it up to leverage SOA and agile web services.
Securex, one of the largest HR and payroll outsourcers in Belgium, modernized their customer-facing mainframe applications to be more interactive, responsive and cost-effective using GT Software’s Ivory Service Architect. Ivory moved an aging batch CRM application to a new platform, converted it from VSAM to CICS and opened it up to leverage SOA and agile web services.
After a month of trials with several candidates, Securex settled on Ivory’s approach to mainframe modernization, which combines application migration, web services and on-going reliability. Securex officials noted the integrated Ivory tools would bring several key benefits to their business and their B2B customers.
Inside the Project:
Securex Mainframe Modernization and SOA with Ivory
Securex used Ivory technology to replace an aging VSAM-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) application with one from SAP, a process highlighted by a switchover from batch processing to CICS.
The migration improved Securex operations for B2B customers in several ways, officials noted, including:
- Making Securex’ centralized information more widely available
- Enabled aging applications to run as web services, which will mean core SOA-based benefits, including easier and more cost-effective integration and updates for customers.
- Let B2B customers be more productive by allowing them to connect their desktop applications directly to core Securex applications via web services.
“Accessing other PC-based platforms and applications was not feasible before we deployed Ivory and implemented single sign-on,” said Johan de Bruyne, Systems Technical Manager at Securex, in a statement. “Ivory allowed us to expose Web services, without changes to WSDL or elsewhere in our system.”
Ivory also lets Securex synchronize its EDM system across the enterprise so it can save money on paper, simplify communications, and eliminate the need to use FTP or MQ Series messaging to coordinate workflow, the company said.
With this new wave of flexible desktop access, Ivory also provided light-weight LDAP-based SSO (single sign-on) to Securex, which simplified its ability to authenticate users for essential PC-based services (email, FAX, and the firm’s Electronic Document Management system). “LDAP single sign-on allows enterprises to enforce access policies while freeing users from memorizing long lists of authentication passwords or re-using passwords across systems, which poses a security risk,” according to a GT Software spokesperson.
The Ivory suite consists of Ivory Studio, the graphical modeling environment; Ivory Server, a high performance SOAP processor with runtime service orchestration; and Ivory Server for Batch, which enables batch systems to leverage CICS, IMS, and Web services
Systemation, the authorized partner of GT Software in the Benelux countries, provided implementation assistance for the project.
UPCOMING EVENTS
