NOTE: this is an archived page and the content is likely to be out of date.
Fujitsu and our Legacy Modernisation partner United Business Solutions bring to the market a highly efficient service to move your OpenVMS/TRU64 systems, quickly and with minimal risk to a robust Windows server running the globally recognised CHARON® emulator from Stromasys™ SA of Geneva.
There are over 200,000 VAX/VMS systems still in operation worldwide, with approximately 5 per cent of these in Australia and New Zealand. The fact they are being used is a credit to the value of the data within the applications and their richness, plus the effort required and the risks involved in switching from OpenVMS. Many existing VAX/VMS customers have migrated to Windows, Solaris, HP-UX etc., and OpenVMS on Integrity. Many will also have VAX/VMS applications running on original VAX hardware because of the time and cost of migration using traditional methods.
The same story applies for the more recent AlphaServer platform with OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX. It is estimated that there are still close to 8,000 Alpha systems in Australia working to deliver business value.
Both environments have been a major problem for Hewlett Packard to retain using their own technology.
Our service is quick to execute, simple to understand and demonstrate, safe and secured. HP has given assurances of continued support for OpenVMS and Tru64 for many years to come, even though hardware support costs will escalate.
Our VAX/VMS service virtualises VAX/VMS environments, unmodified to run on industry standard Windows 2003 Servers, or as virtual machines on HP’s OpenVMS Integrity platform. Our AlphaServer migration for OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX virtualises these environments on industry standard Windows 2003/X64 server hardware.
The options available to VAX/VMS, OpenVMS and Tru64 customers have been:
Rewriting the system yourself is a high-risk, expensive and time-consuming undertaking. Replacing the applications is expensive and takes a number of years to complete, test, retrain users and maintain.
Issue/ risk | Our Service Mitigation |
Risk of Migration Completion | Over 3,000 systems have been converted worldwide using these emulators |
OpenVMS Skill Scarcity | OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX become applications on a familiar hardware and Windows environment, so areas of skill such as backups are replaced by Windows backups. |
Complexity of Storage | Complexity is reduced by using familiar Server, SAN and Tape Storage |
Performance Constraints | Performance can be increased or decreased as appropriate for the clients needs |
Manual Migration Risks and Costs: Takes time and always involves end user re-training and validation of the new application logic. | Our Service is fast, low risk, low costs and involves limited operator training and no requirements for end user training |
Fujitsu, with Legacy Modernisation partner United Business Solutions, has designed a smarter approach to moving your OpenVMS systems from high-risk legacy infrastructure to a more efficient, robust and ecologically friendly alternative. To begin with, we request that you fill in the Legacy Modernisation questionnaire which can be downloaded from our Legacy Modernisation web page on the OpenVMS Service. This will allow us to give you an approximate cost and timeframe. We then conduct an application value assessment workshop to learn about your environment, desired outcomes and accurate timeframes and costing. We combine our widely recognised strength in project management, our experience in the design and delivery of mission-critical systems and the specialist skills of our partners, UBS, to deliver a smooth and efficient implementation of the emulation service.
In association with UBS we normally propose a 6 phase approach to each migration:
As required by individual customers, Fujitsu can source:
The major benefits of the Fujitsu Legacy Modernisation service for OpenVMS and Tru64 are:
From our previous experience, the projects are measured in weeks not months and the risk profile is considerably less than leaving the applications on the older and more temperamental machinery.
To find out how we can service your requirements in Australia please call +61 2 9113 9368 or email Legacy.Modernisation@au.fujitsu.com or in New Zealand please call +64 4 495 0700 or email Legacy.Modernisation@nz.fujitsu.com for free information with no obligation or download the questionnaire and send it to our email address.