Transoft, an expert in innovative modernization software and service solutions, today announced the launch of DBPronto. This new product enables existing legacy applications to utilise a relational database (RDBMS), such as Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server - replacing older proprietary ISAM file handlers.

Many business critical systems and commercial software packages are written in legacy code and provide a robust, portable and fully functional environment for software development. However, most of these programs continue to use the native ISAM file handlers provided by the original vendor. These file handlers do not provide the flexibility, accessibility and robustness of a RDBMS. As businesses require better business intelligence functionality, enterprise application integration and high availability of mission critical data, there is an increasing demand to modernize the databases underpinning these legacy applications.

DBPronto is based on Transoft CIO which was launched 6 months ago and is already being used successfully in a number of organizations. DBPronto extends the functionality to a wider range of legacy data structures. It is designed to work with legacy file handlers including COBOL, C-ISAM and Transoft U/FOS, DBPronto provides a rapid, easy and automated means of allowing legacy applications to use a modern RDBMS, creating a bridge between existing code and the new relational database. Data is structured and stored natively in the RDBMS, but the existing programs continue to use native data structures and data types. DBPronto offers a gateway between two very different worlds. For many legacy file handlers the DBPronto middleware layer intercepts the existing file I/O statements. For others, DBPronto implements a simple API that replaces existing file I/O.

Relay Software is an early adopter of the product, and its Managing Director Alastair Bell commented: "Transoft’s revolutionary new DBPronto product has enabled us to combine our existing Insurance Broker application with our new .NET based Life Insurance system without having to make extensive changes to either. This has opened up new markets for us with existing customers, as well as enabling us to provide a single integrated system."

Felix Decsi, Transoft CTO, adds "We are very excited about the launch of DBPronto. Transoft has been providing database migration and legacy data connectivity solutions for over 20 years. Our unparalleled experience in spanning the gap between legacy data and modern relational technology has enabled us to develop a product that is easy to implement, with minimum impact on the existing application, but at the same time through its innovative architecture, delivers high throughput and excellent scalability."