How to Deliver an API-Led Modernisation Effort

The path for technological advancement has an unplanned side effect: spiralling costs. It means that a legacy migration project is now a priority, as your innovation depends on it.

For United Techno, this regularly comes up. Tens of thousands of companies are still stuck on legacy systems today. Users may face challenges in efficiency, cost, and integration with modern technology. Most IT leaders know - legacy modernisation is priority for 72% of IT executives.

This is an emerging problem in travel and tourism, plagued with difficult economic conditions for years. Faced with a tough market and aging IT, a prominent travel and tourism client turned to United Techno. They needed to bridge gaps between their aging IBM AS400 systems, and contemporary digital systems. They struggled with integration complexity, data accessibility, and maintaining security and compliance. This was made worse by a skill gap with their legacy systems.

Overcoming the Challenges

In order to overcome these challenges, United Techno focused on making a difference through delivering the following solutions:

1. Utilisation of Modernisation Tools like HTTPREQ for HTTP processing and web service interactions with AS400

2. RESTful API Integration using middleware to expose AS400 data, facilitating smooth data exchange through HTTP_GET and HTTP_POST.

3. Third Party Software Integration such as:

- RightRez for travel ticketing, through XML requests using DB2 functions. Interaction through web services was set up to manage travel bookings.

- Twilio for communications, implementing JSON-based API calls. This validated phone numbers and enhanced communication

- Nexio for payments through APIs using JSON and HTTP, streamlining transactions.

4. Data Handling and Migration to extract and validate data from XML and JSON responses, ensuring data integrity on database updates.

The Benefit

This delivered major value adds, including improved operability, enhanced accessibility, scalability, cost efficiency and more. Real time data-sharing and developer productivity resulted in streamlined data exchanges and improved tools for developer productivity. New avenues were opened for cross platform and cloud integration, meaning operational capabilities were increased.

Fortunately, these operational enhancements can be achieved from legacy ERPs with the right guidance. This is an example of one successful modernization to bridge the gap on today’s digital demands. These transformations position our client well for future advancement in tough conditions. However, there are many stories very similar to this, as fortunately these efficiency gains from legacy ERPs are not limited to the travel industry.

If your legacy ERP is draining your already stretched resources, reach out to United Techno today. Our domain experts will ensure your systems function seamlessly.