Defect free migration of TPF to zTPF for a leading GDS

Business Need

• Migration from legacy TPF to open systems z/TPF platform.
• Key applications to be migrated:
  - Passenger Services System(PSS)
  - Passenger Name Record Complex systems (PNR)

Best Practices

• Leveraging existing knowledge of TPF systems
• Utilizing a proven approach to handle large-scale z/TPF Migration
• Developing a well defined migration plan (utilizing phased approach)

Client
The client is a leading Global Distribution System (GDS) providing distribution, technology, payment and other solutions to the travel industry

Challenges
Complex architecture of the existing system, driving significant challenges to the implementation:

• Multiple dependent projects to be integrated into the overall z/TPF Migration program for successful completion
• Unavailability of resources was an additional challenge

Solution Offered
Single source - maintaining one set of source code that will run on both TPF 4.1 and z/TPF

• Defining/updating rules in TPF Toolkit: IGT team worked on creating their own rules in TPF Toolkit that required some replacements and auto fixes
• Removed compilation errors and warnings for TPF4.1 and z/TPF LINUX
• TPF4.1 production loads: Groups of remediated application segments were tested and moved to the TPF 4.1 production environment in smaller packages.
• Debugging (4.1 and z/TPF Regression Test)
• Prepare for implementation of code on z/TPF Environment: This includes Pro-active involvement by the IGT  z/TPF Migration team in any diagnostic needs during implementations on z/TPF Test and copy systems

Testing
Repeatable test processes were developed that were used to test and Regression test the single source application code throughout the z/TPF upgrade. This process was executed at various intervals during the Program.

• Baseline functional 4.1 test executed against the as-is TPF 4.1 environment
• TPF 4.1 regression test executed after the z/TPF single source modifications were completed
• z/TPF regression test executed in the z/TPF environment once the operating system updates were applied

Benefits

• Migration to zTPF with 99.99% success rate with up to 10% cost savings
• 96,000 prebuilt functional testing scenarios resulting in less time to market
• 40,000 TPF modules single sourced in 9 months
• Reduction in license cost and maintenance and upgrade cost
• Innovators of customized accelerators
  - Industry’s first “TPF Cross Functional Impact Matrix” enabling quick identification of dependency of each program on multiple functions
• Utility and EXECs to ensure data integrity
• Migration of 26 programs per month per developer