Micro Focus has announced a new tool for migrating business processes from the mainframe onto the Windows platform, thereby re-using the enterprise applications running the business today. Micro Focus ReUZE offers organizations a route to utilizing mainframe application functionality on Windows and within the .NET framework. It is specifically designed to integrate with the breadth of development and deployment softwarea available from Microsoft, operating as the platform for further modernization and cloud-based initiatives.

"This solution is targeted at customers that have already made the decision to use Windows as their primary platform for business processes, yet have mainframe COBOL applications that deliver significant value and competitive advantage today," said Micro Focus's Stephen Kelly. "Micro Focus enables those investments to continue to add value at very low cost, optimizing the benefits in the shortest amount of time and avoiding the risks associated with rewriting or replacing critical business systems."

Micro Focus ReUZE Developer will let organizations take advantage of improved developer productivity, cross-team collaboration, and improved application lifecycle management with integration with Visual Studio Team System. Building on this framework, Micro Focus ReUZE Server is designed to exploit 64-bit Windows architectures, while supporting compatibility with existing application platforms. Unlike solutions which insist on rewriting mainframe application data sources for SQL Server, or removing mainframe syntax from programs, ReUZE Developer typically leaves the source code unchanged.