Micro Focus puts COBOL on the cloud

NEW DELHI: Micro Focus, a provider of enterprise application management, development and modernization solutions, said that Micro Focus will enable enterprise applications to run on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) Platform. As enterprises look to cloud computing as a modernization and cost savings strategy, Micro Focus provides a secure, reliable approach that requires zero rewriting of code, saving customers millions of dollars in comparison to alternative options, states a press release.

Support for Amazon EC2 is a part of Micro Focus’ recently launched Enterprise Cloud Services. With Enterprise Cloud Services, customers can start their core, mission-critical applications in the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud US or European availability zones. This allows customers to quickly implement a cloud computing infrastructure while continuing to use the applications and systems they rely on to keep business running smoothly.

“We’re pleased to see Micro Focus use of Amazon Web Services to further enable companies of all sizes to take advantage of the cloud," said Steve Rabuchin, Amazon Web Services Director of Developer Relations and Business Development. “By leveraging Amazon EC2, Micro Focus is bringing their customers the scalable and highly available web infrastructure that they require.”

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. Amazon EC2's simple Web service interface allows businesses to obtain and configure capacity with minimal friction. Micro Focus is supporting Amazon EC2 to increase the options customers have to reach the cloud and begin capitalizing on the cost savings associated with cloud computing.

Enterprise Cloud Services uses an enterprise’s existing encryption keys to secure mission critical data while in motion (over the network) or while stored on persistent cloud storage.

“We are 100 percent committed to being cloud agnostic and supporting customers who want to take advantage of Amazon EC2 to cut substantial costs in the coming year,” said Mark Haynie, CTO for Application Modernization at Micro Focus. “To innovate in today’s tough economic climate, enterprises must embrace flexibility and cost effective modernization strategies. We will be alongside every customer as they navigate the cloud with tighter IT budgets and an increased focus on fast results.” 

Micro Focus is also extending Enterprise Cloud Services across its ISV network, allowing ISVs to leverage the cloud as a new sales channel. Taking COBOL applications to the cloud and then using Micro Focus development tools to build a Web 2.0 and Software as a Service (SaaS) interface around them allows ISVs to make their systems available to a whole new group of users.  Enterprise Cloud Services also provides registration and payment systems for use by ISVs to charge their customers on a subscription basis.