Cobolizer is a set of Visual Studio extensions aimed at modernizing COBOL development, which still relies heavily on outdated tools despite the language's significant presence in the software industry. It offers features like modern code editing, project management, and full integration with TFS, enhancing developer productivity by up to 28%. The product is positioned as a cost-effective solution for companies looking to streamline COBOL projects without altering their existing environments.

1. COBOLizer:Bringing COBOL to the 21st century with Visual Studio ALMJose Luis Soriajlsoria@plainconcepts.comRodrigo Corralrcorral@plainconcepts.com

2. Architecture, ALM, UX, Debugging & Optimization, Web & Sharepoint, Development, Game StudioOffices at Madrid and Bilbao (Spain), and Seattle (USA)2009 & 2010 Microsoft WE Inner Circle ALM Partner awardEuropean company with highest number of Microsoft MVPs (8)ABOUT PLAIN CONCEPTS

3. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT COBOL?220+ billion LOC all over the world80% of actively used code is written in COBOLEach day, there are 200 times as many COBOL transactions as Google searches62% of companies still use COBOL, even for new applicationsSources:COBOL, stilldoingthebusiness (bankingtech.com)COBOL coders: going, going, gone? (computerworld.com)

4. The environment is pretty old, and tools are not an exception…HOW IS THE TYPICAL COBOL PROJECT?

5. Hundreds of thousands of COBOL developers are using tools and editors designed forty years agoA lot of effort is wasted in COBOL development because cutting edge tools are not availableMany COBOL projects are not even using source control

6. …there is a lot of room for ALM tools in the COBOL world!

7. VS ALM & TFS already support .NET and Java projects, but not COBOL natively in the Host – even though it’s the third big player in software factories and in house developmentSupporting COBOL through Visual Studio Extensibility, enables other useful scenarios:DSL Tools, wizards and guidanceCode analysisWHY CONSIDER VS ALM & TFS FOR COBOL?

8. COBOLizer is a set of extensions for Visual Studio, including:A set of new tool windows inside VSA set of Host clients integrated in VS (FTP, TNxxxx, SSH…)A VS project type, which groups the files related to a projectA language service, providing modern code editing features for COBOL inside Visual StudioWHAT IS COBOLizer?

9. It’s not a COBOL compiler or interpreterIt’s not a COBOL implementation for the .NET platformWHAT COBOLizer IS NOT?The code is still compiled and run natively on the Host!

10. ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COBOLizer DEVELOPER

11. WORKING WITH COBOLizerThe work is supported by a local COBOL project, containing files from the host, or created from VS templatesCOBOL code is edited within the Visual Studio IDE, with syntax highlighting & checking, Intellisense…The code is deployed to the Host to be built and runFull TFS support for ALM: version control, work item association, etc.

12. Conflict detection and resolution between host and local filesHost console window integrated in VS Syntax highlightingSyntax checking (with squiggles) Support for commenting codeCode outliningIntellisense for word completionIntellisense for quick info Source code analysis (beta)Complete integration with TFS and Work ItemsProject creation wizardAdd new object to project Add existing object to project from host Add existing object to project from file system Project deploymentMultiple deployment configurations for a projectSolution explorer integrationAdd project to source controlUpdate source from host OVERVIEW OF COBOLizer FEATURES

13. DEMO: OVERVIEW OF COBOLizer FEATURES

14. IBM Rational Developer for z/SeriesFull featured: local debugging, debugging, code editing…Needs software to be installed in the hostReally expensiveCOBOL-ITIt’s a compiler and an IDEIt lacks support for ALMSIMILAR PRODUCTS

15. Nothing needs to be installed on the Host - developers can work on the customer's environment, without altering itGreat for software factories and organizations doing in-house developmentReal business case in Spain: one of the ten biggest System Integrator/Software Factory is using COBOLizer for in-house development, at one of the greatest spanish energy companiesWHERE IS COBOLizer REALLY USEFUL?

16. COBOLizer pricingCOBOLizer license fee is $495 per seatAn annual maintenance fee of 15% is mandatory and not included in COBOLizer’s license feePartnering opportunity - licensesReselling partners get a 20% discount per each licenseWe’re open to other collaboration models – just askPARTNERING OPPORTUNITY!

17. Partnering opportunity – servicesBy introducing ALM in COBOL projects with COBOLizer, customer gets up to 28% of improvement in developers’ productivity (*)Selling COBOLizer, partners can reach COBOL customers that were inaccesible until now, and offer them the complete, Visual Studio ALM based, suit of services(*) More details and data available upon requestPARTNERING OPPORTUNITY!

18. Questions?If interested:rcorral@plainconcepts.comwww.cobolizer.com@cobolizer… or simply reach us anytime during the event! (dedicated table at lunch time both days)THANK YOU!Imagescredit: http://bit.ly/qYqzB9http://bit.ly/nTb534http://bit.ly/or8M3i