Software AG introduced the webMethods Application Modernization Suite as a comprehensive product suite for revitalizing and extending mainframe applications. The release fully leverages the company's global leadership in the service-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management (BPM) markets, and builds upon nearly forty-years of mainframe experience. Available versions include a Web Edition for low-risk, non-invasive Web enablement; a new SQL Edition for standards-based mainframe data integration; and a new SOA Edition for service enablement, governance, and deployment of mainframe assets within an enterprise-scale SOA.

Enterprises can use the webMethods Application Modernization Suite to redeploy existing mainframe functionality and data to meet new business requirements more easily and quickly. As it embraces a more holistic and universal approach addressing a broader variety of mainframe-related requirements, enterprises can deploy the webMethods Application Modernization Suite as their total solution for application modernization.

The webMethods Application Modernization Suite is further differentiated by its inclusion of the webMethods ESB and CentraSite as key components of the SOA Edition. The addition of an industry-leading enterprise service bus (ESB) and a top-ranked service registry/repository/ lifecycle governance solution provides enterprises with a more comprehensive solution for enabling, managing and governing an SOA utilizing mainframe assets. This is in stark contrast with competitive offerings that simply seek to service enable existing mainframe applications.

"For too long, enterprises have been left to address their application modernization requirements tactically with stopgap solutions. With mainframe systems here to stay, we believe that a more strategic approach is required," said Dr. Peter Kurpick, President and Chief Product Officer for the webMethods division and member of the Software AG Executive Board. "While Web enablement and data integration address significant requirements, long-term business agility can only be achieved when an organization can leverage its mainframe assets within an enterprise SOA. This ensures that critical functionality is readily accessible across all of the core business processes of the enterprise."

Application Modernization Emerges as an Enterprise Priority
According to a recent global survey, CIOs rank "Legacy modernization, upgrade or enhancement" as their fourth highest IT priority for 2008. The survey was conducted by Gartner and reflects the buying decisions of 1,500 CIOs worldwide.

Software AG has identified a number of factors driving this widespread interest in Application Modernization. For CIOs tasked with doing more with less, spending millions to replicate existing functionality can't be justified when these core transactional systems continue to outpace rivals in terms of performance, scalability, reliability and security. Furthermore, there is the additional risk associated with 'rip & replace'. This is driving organizations to adopt 'leverage & extend' strategies focused on modernizing existing applications as an alternative to wholesale replacement.

The webMethods Application Modernization Suite: At-a-Glance
The webMethods Application Modernization Suite is the industry's most complete and easiest-to-use solution for application modernization. The current release includes new products, significantly updated and improved Software AG tools, and recently acquired webMethods assets. It uniquely brings together within a single product suite a low-risk, non-invasive Web enablement solution, a standards-based mainframe data integration solution, and technologies for enterprise-scale SOA enablement, governance, lifecycle management and deployment.

By replacing a variety of disparate, non-integrated tools with a single solution, enterprises can streamline and accelerate their deployment of new solutions, simplify training, minimize maintenance requirements, and more fully-leverage existing enterprise functionality. Recognizing the predominant role that SOA will play in application modernization going forward, it also focuses on helping users go beyond simple service enablement to embrace a lifecycle approach to service management.