Circle Computer Group (London, England), and Foyer Assurances SA (Luxembourg) are pleased
to announce the completion of their recent migration project, one of the most rapid and effective deployments of
Circle's DL/2 software to date.
"We first called Circle in February 2009, as we were looking to continue to drive down operational cost and
modernise our legacy systems", explained Francois Serrig (IT production manager) of Foyer. DL/2 seemed the
simplest, lowest risk, and fastest way to achieve this, but we wanted to be certain it would work in our
environment. Circle very quickly came over and made a Proof of Concept test, which increased our confidence, and
showed us what was involved from our side"
After confirming the go-ahead for the DL/2 Project in early May, all databases and applications were migrated,
tested, and fully migrated to production in less than three months.
"With some great teamwork on both sides, Foyer have reduced operational cost, simplified database support
and positioned our systems for further modernisation in the future. The experience of the team at Circle,
given the number of these projects they have undertaken, really showed through".
Geoff Cooke, Managing Director of Circle added "Foyer is one of many companies looking to drive
unnecessary cost out of their z-Series mainframe environment. Once again, DL/2 has proved to be a really
powerful tool in helping our clients achieve this. With the enhancements to our testing suite which we have
recently announced, the ROI for DL/2 is getting ever faster. We are really grateful to the team at Foyer for
allowing us to demonstrate this once again".
Foyer Assurances SA is Luxembourg's leading insurance provider.
Circle Computer Group, based in Guildford, Surrey, England, is a trusted provider of migration software and
consulting services to the IBM mainframe community. Our products and services enable clients to move from
legacy databases to DB2 in minimum time and with minimum risk.
DB2 Universal Database is the first choice for mainframe based mission-critical applications, delivering
the highest levels of availability and performance. With over 25 years of experience, a worldwide client base
and a strong partnership with IBM, Circle is ready to help you make the move to DB2.
Circle is delighted to announce a series of enhancements to its industry leading IMS to DB2 migration software,
DL/2. The enhancements help to streamline data migration and application testing, to reduce the overall costs of a DL/2
migration product.
Geoff Cooke, Managing Director of Circle, says "We have always listened keenly to customer feedback. Application
testing is a major part of any DL/2 migration project , and these improvements help to reduce both the effort and complexity of
this critical phase."
Geoff continues, "DL/2 is a tool suite, and we are focussed on all phases and stages of a migration product.
These enhancements deliver more automation and hasten the ROI that DL/2 delivers".
The new features are automatically included in all new DL/2 shipments October 1 2009 onwards.
Circle Computer Group (London, England) and MainSoft International A/S (Copenhagen, Denmark) are pleased to announce a new distribution agreement under which Circle's unique database
transparency solutions will be made available across Scandinavia.
The new agreement follows the implementation into production at Semler Gruppen, of Circle's flagship DL/2 product.
Commenting on the agreement, Flemming Bo Larsen, Managing Director of MainSoft explained "Semler have been a client of ours for many years and their IT Group supports not only Semler's own
operation, but that of around 150 independent car dealers in Denmark. A couple of years ago, we saw a great opportunity to increase efficiency and drive cost out of their mainframe operations
by migrating their remaining IMS/DB based systems into a single DB2 platform"Bo continued "In researching the market, we found that Circle's transparency products could make this happen
without any changes to application code. Working closely with Semler and Circle staff,we rapidly got the migration under way, and Semler now enjoy the benefits of a single database platform
across their systems. They are now using Circle's VS/2 product to migrate their VSAM files to DB2 as well"
Geoff Cooke, Managing Director at Circle adds "We are delighted that MainSoft are going to build on the success at Semler by introducing Circle's solutions to the wider
base of IBM mainframe users across Scandinavia. Circle's products have are now been used in more than twenty countries around the world, and demand for a solution with such a rapid
ROI is enjoying high demand at a time when IT budgets are under such pressure"
Circle Computer Group, global leader in database transparency for SOA and legacy modernization solutions today announced full support for all it's products following the global release by IBM of z/OS 1.10.
CTO Jerry Burnett commented "The mainframe is at the heart of what we do here at Circle. Everyone
here is excited by IBM's accelerated commitment to the resurgent mainframe and z/OS 1.10 is an important step
in that process. As soon as our customers start the migration process to 1.10, they can count on Circle for
full support". Jerry continued "Customer focus is central to everything we do here at Circle, and our customers
have come to expect nothing but the best level of support available for their mission critical systems".
Butler Group (a Data Monitor company), the highly respected analyst and leading provider of Information Technology research has concluded it's latest audit of
Circle's DL/2 transparency solution for the migration of mainframe based IMS/DB applications to DB2.
Mark Blowers concludes in his report that "Butler Group recommends that any organisation with a significant investment in IMS should be looking to install DL/2 to
enable the continued exploitation of the intellectual capital invested in the technology and to ease the migration to a more flexible and accessible DB2 environment."
A full copy of the report may be downloaded here.
Circle Computer Group, a global leader in transparent data migration solutions, will be exhibiting at the forthcoming IDUG North America conference, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas, TX. May 18-22, 2008.
If your organization is looking to open up legacy data for ongoing development, is suffering from a skills shortage to support IMS applications, or would like to reduce the high costs of supporting multiple DB platforms, our range of solutions could be the ideal remedy.
We have assisted many North American Fortune 500 and State Government clients to migrate their business critical applications to DB2, without any changes to their application programs. Our approach eliminates the unacceptable level of effort, cost and risk normally associated with a full application re-write.
If legacy modernization is on your agenda for 2008, please visit our booth. Geoff Cooke and Bill Bostridge will be happy to provide further information and discuss with you how Circle's DL/2 and VS/2 transparent data migration tools can help you make a speedy, low risk transition to DB2.
If you are attending the conference, please stop by Booth #203. We look forward to meeting you.
For more information please contact Circle Computer Group:
UK and Europe:
North America:
Circle Computer Group, a global leader in transparent data migration solutions, will be exhibiting at IDUG North America 2007.
Please visit our booth number 214 at the San Jose Convention Centre, San Jose, California. May 6-10, 2007.
If legacy modernization is on your agenda for 2007, please visit Stan Hoey and Bill Bostridge and find out how Circle’s DL/2 and VS/2 transparent data migration tools can help you transition your IMS and VSAM applications to DB2.
Vendor Solution Presentation – Wednesday May 9, 2007 – 11:10 am.
In addition, on Wednesday May 9, at 11:10 am, Stan Hoey from Circle will be providing a detailed overview of the many benefits afforded by the use of Transparent Data Migration as a fast and effective route to DB2, for your legacy IMS and VSAM applications.
If you are attending the conference, please stop by Booth 214. We look forward to meeting you.
For more information please contact Circle Computer Group:
UK and Europe:
North America:
Circle Computer Group, market leaders in mainframe database transparency have
announced a significant expansion of its' North American activities during 2005.
"As our business has expanded in the USA, our customers have been telling us we needed to have
a direct presence in our largest market. With that in mind, we appointed Bill Bostridge as
Director for our North American business at the beginning of the year" explained Stephen Mason,
Managing Director of Circle. "In the middle of 2005, we decided to market direct to clients for the
first time, as well as providing them with support and consultancy services direct from Circle
staff, rather than through distribution partners".
Circle's new strategy for its' flagship DL/2 product, has seen a rapid acceleration of client
acquisition during 2005. Levi Strauss™, State of Illinois and State of Tennessee have all
implemented DL/2 during 2005.
"As more and more companies in the USA decide to integrate their Web Services based applications
with their legacy systems, DL/2 is enjoying a strong position in the USA marketplace. Circle's
software revenues for 2005 look like growing by around 40% this year, so I am delighted to be
heading up the new activities focused on the USA and Canada" said Bostridge, adding "Our pipeline
is strong for 2006, and we hope to be adding many more household names to Circle's growing band of
North American customers".
Ahead of finalising its full year results, Stephen Mason, Managing
Director of Circle Computer Group announced record software licence
sales for the calendar year 2004.
"Since the end of 2002, Circle has refocused on our unique software
products. I am delighted to announce that the company has now been
restored to a healthy level of profitability for the first time since
2001. This is largely attributable to a 100% increase in software
licence sales in 2004 over 2003 from our DL/2 and VS/2 transparency
software tools. Revenues from our software business as a whole now
exceed £1,000,000 (US$ 1.88m) for the first time in our history.
As well as enjoying the benefits and revenues from our partnership with
IBM on VSAM Transparency,
many new z-Series clients are choosing our DL/2 product to make the move
from IMS to DB2 based systems. New wins in 2004 have included Norwich
Union and Abbey plc in the
UK, as well as new users in France, Scandinavia and the USA. More
details of these will form press announcements in the coming weeks.
Circle's products, people and partners around the world, offer a highly
efficient method of migrating z/OS users from legacy database technology
to modern, relational DB2 based systems in an efficient low-risk manner,
which is unique in the industry. We are hopeful that more and more
clients will follow the lead of these major corporations around the
world."
DL/2 is Circle's unique software solution, facilitating Web Integration
to Legacy Data by migrating IMS/DB based systems to DB2, without changes
to application code.
VS/2 is a sister product to DL/2, facilitating Web Integration to Legacy
Data by migrating VSAM® based systems to DB2, without changes to
application code.
Circle Computer Group, based in Guildford, Surrey, England, is a trusted
provider of migration software and consulting services to the IBM
mainframe community. Our products and services enable clients to move
from legacy databases to DB2 in minimum time and with minimum risk.
DB2 Universal Database is the first choice for mainframe based
mission-critical applications, delivering the highest levels of
availability and performance. With over 25 years of experience, a
worldwide client base and a strong partnership with IBM, Circle is ready
to help you make the move to DB2.
IBM, DB2, IMS/DB and VSAM are trademarks, registered trademarks, or
products of International Business Machines Corporation in the United
States, other countries, or both.
London, 14th
October 2004: Circle Computer Group has today announced a co-operative
marketing arrangement with ISI to sell each other's database
transparency solutions in their respective geographic territories.
Circle will deliver and support ISI’s 2BDB2® solution, which migrates
users of CA’s Datacom® database to DB2, to customers in the UK and
Ireland. ISI will deliver and support Circle’s DL/2® transparency
software, which migrates mainframe users from IBM’s IMS/DB® database to
a relational database platform on DB2, in Australia and New Zealand.
Commenting on the announcement, Geoff Cooke, Circle’s Managing Director
said “Circle is delighted to have reached this agreement with ISI. We
have been working with users of IMS based systems for some years to get
them across to DB2 and really exploit the value of their mainframe based
data. We will now be able to offer the same full range of services to
Datacom users here in the UK and Ireland”.
He added “With the huge
distance between our territories, we are delighted to be able to extend
the availability of DL/2 to customers in Australia and New Zealand, who
are faced with the same challenges as our many customers in the USA and
Europe".
Andrew Matler, CEO of ISI agreed “Circle is a highly respected software
vendor in Europe. We are delighted to announce this agreement. Our
2BDB2 and their DL/2 solutions are extensively used, both in our
respective local territories and in the USA. This agreement is an ideal
vehicle to extend the availability of both products on a more
international basis”.
Circle Computer Group (www.circle-group.com) is a global leader in
providing transparent software solutions to allow clients to migrate
IBM® mainframe applications running on legacy database platforms to DB2®
without changing application code.
Independent Systems Integrators Pty Limited (www.isi.com.au) is a
provider of specialist IBM mainframe solutions and services to corporate
clients around the world. As well as its 2BDB2 transparency products,
ISI provides mainframe outsourcing and a wide range of related services
in the Australian and Asian markets.
IBM, DB2, and IMS are trademarks, registered trademarks, or products of
International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other
countries or both.
Datacom is a registered trademark of Computer Associates International
Inc.
DL/2 is a registered trademark of Circle Computer Group Ltd.
2BDB2 is a registered trademark of Independent Systems Integrators Pty
Ltd.
London, England: Circle is pleased to announce new implementations of it’s DL/2 software at two of the UK’s biggest Financial Services organizations.
At Norwich Union Central Services (UK Management Services arm of the Aviva Group), DL/2 will be installed to migrate applications from a legacy system to an IBM DB2 based mainframe system.
Commenting on the DL/2 implementation, Christine Bakewell, Head of Mainframe Services said “DB2 is our standard database platform on the mainframe, and this project is part of an overall plan to rationalise systems, reduce support overheads and provide easier access to systems and data for our Application Development teams. Circle proved that their technology could facilitate this migration with minimum disruption to our working environment, and at a much lower cost than either rewriting or replacing the current applications. We will hope to demonstrate that transparency technology can prove a highly useful tool when standardising systems in rapidly consolidating industries such as Financial Services”
Elsewhere in the UK, Milton Keynes based Abbey plc were faced with a similar situation with an acquisition made a number of years ago of First National Motor Finance. Their packaged application (“Hogan”) runs on an IMS/DB® platform, the only one now running within the Group. “Working with Circle, we quickly saw that the costs of supporting, administering and upgrading IMS in our environment could be avoided by implementing DL/2” said Tim Clements, Systems Manager at Abbey. “The data will now be migrated to DB2 on the mainframe and we expect to be in production before the end of the year, with significant operating efficiencies and cost savings”.
Geoff Cooke, Managing Director of Circle observed “Both these new wins show that transparency technology, in which Circle is a world leader, is becoming key to large organizations who want to enable Web Access to Legacy Data, and to standardise on their operating environment. In the Financial Services sector, where M&A activity is commonplace, CIOs are left with the headache of continuing to develop and support wide varieties of legacy systems. Legal regulations and archiving requirements can increase this headache. Transparency can provide a fast and effective means of removing legacy databases and platforms whilst protecting investment in legacy code, reducing risk and critically opening up the data for wider access from new applications.”
DL/2 is Circle’s unique software solution facilitating Web Integration to Legacy Data by migrating IMS/DB based systems to DB2, without changes to application code.
VS/2 is a sister product to DL/2 facilitating Web Integration to Legacy Data by migrating VSAM® based systems to DB2, without changes to application code.
Circle Computer Group, based in Guildford, Surrey, England, is a trusted provider of migration software and consulting services to the IBM mainframe community. Our products and services enable clients to move from legacy databases to DB2 in minimum time and with minimum risk.
DB2 Universal Database is the first choice for mainframe based mission-critical applications, delivering the highest levels of availability and performance. With over 25 years of experience, a worldwide client base and a strong partnership with IBM, Circle is ready to help you make the move to DB2.
IBM, DB2, IMS/DB and VSAM are trademarks, registered trademarks, or products of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
HOGAN is a trademark or registered trademark of Computer Sciences Corporation in the United States, other countries or both.
Circle is pleased to acknowledge the
recent announcement by International Business Machines
Corporation of "CICS VSAM Transparency for zOS" (www.ibm.com/cics/vt).
The IBM product is based substantially on Circle's VS/2
technology, and facilitates the migration of z-Series, VSAM
based applications to DB2, without the need for any changes to
application code. The technology supplied to IBM is the subject
of a Global Licensing Agreement between Circle and IBM which was
completed at the end of 2003.
Commenting on the announcement, Circle's Managing Director,
Geoff Cooke adds "Circle's customers have benefited from the
ability to migrate legacy z-Series applications to IBM's
flagship relational database, DB2 for many years. We hope that
this adoption of Circle's approach and technology for VSAM based
applications by IBM, will significantly widen the range of
customers able to utilise Circle technology."
Parent company to concentrate its efforts on DB2 conversion solutions
April 3, 2003, Brighton, UK – Circle Computer Group (Circle), a leading provider of migration solutions to the IBM mainframe community, has announced the sale of Circle Education to RSM Technology (RSM) for an undisclosed sum.
Circle Education, a wholly owned division of Circle, produces and delivers courses and courseware for CICS®, DB2® and MQSeries®. The Circle Education brand is synonymous with quality courseware containing a high degree of practical training. While it has been an important part of Circle’s integrated portfolio of software products, consultancy and education, in recent years the company has increasingly focused on the software business and in particular on software solutions that help organizations move from legacy database environments to DB2.
“While we are very proud of the reputation that Circle Education has in the IBM mainframe community, our business plan is to focus on the development and support of software solutions going forward,” said Geoff Cooke, Managing Director of Circle. “It was important to us that students continued to benefit from the richness of Circle Education courses and the experience of Circle Education trainers. We have enjoyed a strong relationship with RSM for many years and feel confident that they will maintain the high standards which our clients have come to expect.”
RSM is the UK’s leading independent provider of training and education to users of IBM’s z/Architecture computing platforms. In 2002 they extended their IBM mainframe training portfolio with the acquisitions of AMDAHL Education (UK) and Laird Ståhl. As Alan Whitfield, Managing Director of RSM explains “RSM has built its education business through forming long term working partnership with our customers. The incorporation of Circle Education alongside our other recent acquisitions has given us a much broader portfolio of courseware and a much expanded team of consultants and instructors, including many internationally acknowledged specialists. Today we can offer a unique blend of services to the large-scale systems enterprise that is both timely and flexible.”
All the courses and services formerly provided by Circle Education, AMDAHL Education, RSM Education and Laird Ståhl are now available through RSM Technology. Circle will continue to provide education courses for its range of software solutions.
Circle Computer Group launches VS/2
March 4, 2003, Brighton, UK – Circle Computer Group, a leading provider of IBM mainframe software, education and services, has launched VS/2, its complete solution for moving data from legacy VSAM databases to DB2® relational databases. VS/2 supports the rapid migration of data from VSAM to DB2 while protecting the investment in existing VSAM applications.
“Data migration from pre-relational databases like VSAM remains a critical issue in legacy migration. VS/2 is a breakthrough solution for customers currently looking to overcome the limitations of VSAM”, said Geoff Cooke, MD for Circle Computer Group. “By quickly moving data from VSAM to DB2, IBM mainframe customers can take advantage of all the capabilities DB2 has to offer, including 24 by 7 mixed workload support, e-business enablement and full data access from any modern query and reporting tool.”
VS/2 differs from other migration approaches in that it requires no code changes to existing applications programmes. All effort is focused on the mapping and migration of data, greatly reducing the time and risk associated with typical migration projects. VS/2 also supports the migration of one VSAM file at a time, allowing VSAM and DB2 to work in conjunction if workload and resource constraints prevent complete migration. The risk reduction and the time flexibility addresses the key denominators preventing many large database migration projects.
Colin Oakhill, Managing Director of Insoft, a Dusseldorf based software development and consulting firm said, “We have been working with VS/2 as part of Circle’s beta testing process and have been very impressed by its ability to support the different VSAM call patterns found in our applications. VS/2 is the best solution we have seen for overcoming the application and query limitations imposed by our reliance on VSAM.”
Built using the experience gained developing DL/2, Circle’s successful IMS to DB2 migration solution, VS/2 is the second in a family of solutions being developed by Circle for IBM mainframe users wishing to standardise on DB2. In today’s challenging economic climate, these solutions can help companies accelerate the move to new e-business and CRM initiatives and at the same time save on ongoing software and support costs.
October 2, 2002, Brighton, UK – Circle Computer Group, a leading provider of IBM mainframe software, education and services, has appointed Geoff Cooke as its new Managing Director. He replaces Chris Heath, who is stepping down from the day-to-day running of the business, but will remain a director of the company. In addition to ensuring the ongoing success of the business, Geoff will focus on expanding Circle’s software business both in the UK and overseas.
Before joining Circle, Geoff was UK Country Manager of Software AG, supplying database software and services to the IBM mainframe and open systems communities. He has also held sales management roles at CSF and Computer Associates.
"I am delighted to be part of the Circle team. Much of my 20-year career has been spent working with IBM mainframe customers and without a doubt, Circle is a trusted partner to many of them. I am joining a company with a bright future; we have a strong reputation for delivering education services and I am especially excited by Circle’s DB2® migration solutions and their value to organizations wishing to standardise on DB2. In today’s challenging economic climate, these solutions address a crucial business need by helping companies accelerate the move to new e-business and CRM initiatives and at the same time save on ongoing software and support costs. In fact, a number of implementations have paid for themselves in less than a year.”
"Geoff's experience and understanding of our market make him the right person for the job," said Chris Heath. "Over the years we have built a successful business by focusing on our core competences and by providing services and solutions that address our clients’ real world requirements. Geoff brings with him new ideas and enthusiasm plus the desire and experience to expand our presence in this market."