1. MSS Value Proposition
Introduction
For over thirty years MSS International has been the thought leader in migrating organizations
from Unisys to open platforms. We transform and modernize organizations, saving them millions
in operational IT costs along the way. Creating versatile and cost efficient future proof
environments is what we know. Making them easy to get to is what we do.
MSS International offers a low risk solution to organizations wishing to replace their legacy
systems with open IT enterprise architecture. We use software, not manual labor, to convert
application programs and environmental software. We have extensive experience of delivering
migration projects within a multi company taskforce framework, and have industry specific and
global experience in doing so.
MSS Activity
Increasingly businesses reliant on older proprietary systems are tempted to move to open
architecture to add more features and reduce costs. Conscious of this predicament, MSS has built
up an enviable reputation for delivering complex Unisys migration solutions on time and within
budget. In what can often be perceived as a highly risky process, we are proud of our 100%
success rate.
PreMigration Activity
Through rigorous pre‐planning and study, MSS gains a thorough understanding of your
company’s past and present IT structures and issues. We then work with you to envision the best
most cost efficient target environment. Armed with a thorough understanding of your technology
requirements and their commercial implications, we deliver a migration proposal for your
consideration. This process of defining the migration is the key to mitigating risk, securing
departmental buy in and ensuring a smooth transition to the new environment.
Migration Activity
MSS uses a proven migration methodology derived from years of experience in migration
projects. This methodology is supported by a set of automation tools that assist in each phase of
the project and ensure an accurate and on‐time migration. The tools are engineered to preserve
the business logic and functionality of your existing system eliminating any need for training and
re‐education (ie. The screens will look the same & the programs will have same structure).
MSS has evolved a project management strategy through converting over 50 Unisys systems and
recognizes the need to adapt and incorporate the client’s management procedures in project
management. The very first task of the project is always to select and agree on a set of
management procedures.
MSS is accustomed to working with its clients and partners in different ways and can be versatile
to the migration’s requirements.
Post Migration Activity
We always stress the importance of moving to a standard platform as there is no on‐going MSS
support requirement. Our turnkey standard platform solutions allow our clients to operate
without MSS immediately after the migration solution has been implemented. Every solution we
deliver enables our clients to immediately observe up to a 70% reduction in IT operational costs
as well as significant improvements in productivity.
MSS International GmbH
Bahnhofstrasse 7, CH7250 Klosters, Switzerland
Phone +41 81 420 23 58 Email: maurice.shnaps@mssint.com
2.
MSS Product Suite
Our product suite enables the following migration paths:
Cobol programs to Java.
Cobol programs to Microfocus Cobol
Cobol programs to Fujitsu Cobol
Cobol programs to IBM Enterprise Cobol
Linc programs to Java
Linc programs to C#/.Net
Linc systems to PL/SQL/C++
Algol to Cobol
Algol to C++
WFL to Korn Shell Script
WFL to Perl
COMS environments to JBoss/Websphere/OAS or MSS MCS!Lite
DMSII database to any relational database (Oracle, DB2, MSSQL)
Moving to open environments reveals a world of possibilities and MSS has industry specific
experience and can advise you on the best target environment for your business. Whether it is a
package‐based solution, Unix, Windows or other, we can advise you as to the most appropriate for
your specific requirements.
MSS Migration Objectives
With each an every migration project we undertake, we find that there are universal objectives
that run across all of our proposals, namely that:
• The impact on the business of the migration must be limited by retaining the
functionality and business rules contained within the core business applications.
• Risk to the day‐to‐day business activity is limited by using a migration process that does
not freeze application development, prevent ongoing application maintenance or disrupt
ongoing scheduling of new product rollouts during the migration.
• Risk to the business is limited by employing a process that will allow a system‐by‐system
migration of the core business applications.
• Together with the client and other migration taskforce partners the migration must be
delivered in pre‐planned timescales and budget limits.
• The migration enables the client to retain existing skills and to cross train existing staff
in the maintenance of the new development environment.
• The migration must preserve existing skills by employing technology that can be
integrated in the current application support processes with full participation of the
support staff.
MSS International GmbH
Bahnhofstrasse 7, CH7250 Klosters, Switzerland
Phone +41 81 420 23 58 Email: maurice.shnaps@mssint.com
