In Q2 2024, Rocket Software completed its acquisition of the Micro Focus Application Modernization and Connectivity business (AMC) of OpenText. This acquisition brings legacy applications back into the spotlight that might have otherwise been forgotten about. Don’t let complacency catch your organization out.
Jump to a specific section:
- Which Micro Focus products did Rocket Software acquire?
- So, what next?
- How can you prepare?
- Thinking about renewal?
Which Micro Focus products did Rocket Software acquire?
|
Product Family |
Software Product |
|
Mainframe ADLM |
ChangeMan ZMF, ChangeMan SSM, ChangeMan ZMF Client Pack, StarTool, Comparex |
|
COBOL |
Visual COBOL Personal Edition, Net Express with Server Express, ACUCOBOL-GT, Relativity, RM/COBOL, COBOL-IT, Database Connectors, COBOL Analyzer |
|
CORBA |
VisiBroker, Orbix, OpenFusion, Orbacus, CORBA Add-On for REST, CORBA Add-On for CCVE |
|
Enterprise Suite |
Enterprise Analyzer, Enterprise Server, Enterprise Server for .NET, Enterprise Developer for Z, Enterprise Test Server |
|
Host Connectivity |
Reflection, Rumba+ Desktop, Host Access for the Cloud, InfoConnect, Extra!® X-treme, Host Access Management and Security Server, Reflection™ for Secure IT, Advanced Authentication Connector for z/OS, Host Access Analyzer, Host Access Management and Security Server, Host Access for RPA, Verastream, Databridge |
More information can be found here.
So, what next?
Micro Focus agreements that may have been in place for decades will now renew with Rocket Software. Be prepared for contractual changes.
Rocket Software will want to know what your organization is using. Livingstone have already seen an increase in Rocket Software audits and requests for detailed contract declarations.
How can you prepare?
There are many ways to restrict access to AMC applications depending on the metric and product in use. Make sure that your business knows which licenses are being used and how access to each application is managed and restricted.
Here are some examples:
- Review your mainframe and ensure you understand the MIPS and MSU capacity available to Mainframe ADLM products.
- Review license keys and ensure that they align to the license quantities in your current agreement.
- Review users allocated in admin consoles and portals, how user access is currently restricted, and if there are any group accounts or multiplexing cases.
- Review for potential unused AMC software installs that can be uninstalled from the estate.
- Review your user lists to ensure that the users are still present within the organization and actively using the software.
Sound management practices on legacy applications are the most reliable way to protect your organization from non-compliance and audit risk.
Thinking about renewal?
As well as potential risk, there is also opportunity here.
Livingstone have noticed a change in available contracts for AMC products. Rocket Software is offering flexible models that grant organizations more options on how they consume and allocate licenses.
You can capitalize by doing the following:
- Understand what you have in use and when your Rocket Software renewals are taking place.
- Understand your current and future business requirements.
- Negotiate a Rocket Software agreement that suits your organizational needs. Some metrics will be optimal over others based on your organization’s usage requirements.
About the author:
Rob Gamon
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant at Livingstone Technologies, Rob Gamon is an expert in Software Asset Management with a keen focus on how our clients can be best prepared to deal with software audits when they come.
Connect with Rob →
