RDW Modernizes IT with Delta — Dutch Centre for Vehicle Technology, Approval and Information Gains Platform Freedom with SCOUT² from Delta

July 13, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Technology News
Delta Software Technology, a leader in advanced software generators, today announced that RDW, the Centre for vehicle technology, approval and information in The Netherlands has gone live with the SCOUT² Development Platform for multi-platform application development.

RDW has decided to modernize their application architecture. There are currently more than 13,000 application modules deployed on a Unisys mainframe running OS 2200. As the first step in the new strategy, RDW has now successfully implemented the SCOUT² Development Platform from Delta Software Technology, off-loading development from the mainframe onto PCs.

RDW maintains details of the 7 million vehicles registered in the Netherlands, as well as all drivers’ licenses. Around 1 million vehicles and 1.7 million licenses are added or changed each year. Hence, most of the 16 million Dutch residents come into regular contact with RDW.

“At RDW we have sensitive applications and very personal data. The security and quality of our development processes are our highest priority” explained Gerard Doll, manager of RDW’s own IT services company RDW ICT. “SCOUT² not only allows us to support our mainframe and PC-based development processes, but it also fully embraces our special security and quality management processes.”

RDW has responsibility for technical standards, vehicle approval, annual vehicle inspections, safety and environmental monitoring, and so must quickly respond to changes in the rapidly evolving Dutch and EU legal frameworks.

“We need a new software architecture to exploit opportunities in the dynamic European market”, stated Hans van Santen, RDW board member responsible for IT. “We work with the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) standard. It is therefore critical for us that all new software tools fit seamlessly into our overall IT Governance strategy.”

The extensive SCOUT² scripting language allowed RDW to quickly and reliably implement their processes. SCOUT² processes are platform independent, transparently supporting the move from the mainframe to a new platform. The 45 developers at RDW ICT are now free to focus on business requirements and do not have to worry about the technical issues of the deployment platform.

Delta worked closely with RDW to analyse the existing development processes and to configure SCOUT² to support RDW’s unique requirements.

Dirk Meyer, responsible for professional services at Delta, recalled “RDW works within a demanding legal framework and it was a challenge to support all of their development processes.” He continued, “The SCOUT² Development Platform was always up to the job. We defined all the processes. It was never necessary to bend RDW’s existing processes to fit the tool.”

As a long-term user of Delta’s COBOL application generator ADSplus, RDW is ideally positioned to move to a new architecture. RDW ICT and Delta are already working on the next step, using Delta’s generative transformation tools to remove any platform-specific logic that has crept into the applications over the years. RDW will then be in the happy position of having total freedom to choose their new platform and architecture.

“With the successful migration of our development environment we have taken the decisive first step to modernizing our application portfolio”, observed Gerard Doll. “The co-operation with Delta has been convincing. We are pleased to now be working with Delta on the next steps.”


About SCOUT² Development Platform

SCOUT² ends the "fight against the infrastructure." The flexible and extensible development platform offers a consistent, seamlessly integrated platform-independent view of the organisation’s diverse portfolio of platform-specific development, test and deployment systems and technologies. SCOUT² is the ideal tool for development teams that need a consistent approach to developing, integrating and supporting a range of different platforms, technologies, custom and standard application solutions. SCOUT² runs on Microsoft Windows and integrates all tools across the complete management of the application life-cycle. It supports all current development, deployment and host platforms, connectivity products and CCM systems. The architecture supports in-house, outsourcing and offshore development. SCOUT² is easy to install and arbitrarily scalable. It is especially suitable for large projects in multi-platform environments.
More Information: www.d-s-t-g.com/SCOUT2


About RDW

Since 1949, RDW has ensured that road transport in the Netherlands is as safe, clean, economical and orderly as possible. In this regard, RDW implements diverse legislative tasks commissioned by various ministries. In its provision of services, RDW follows the entire lifecycle of vehicles: from the development of vehicle categories to end-of-life disassembly. The products and services of RDW arise primarily from four related core tasks: Admission, supervision and control, registration and information provision, document issue. As an independent governing body (IGB), RDW is a non-profit authority governed by public law. In general terms, RDW is accountable to the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management for its functioning. However, RDW bears sole responsibility for the implementation of its tasks. For this reason, RDW also finds it important that it is accountable to the wider public in general and to its direct clients in particular for its chosen working method. Through consultation and cooperation with all the parties involved (the public, industry and government), the RDW aims to continuously optimise its service provision and, if possible, align these services to the wishes of both public and private parties.
More information: www.rdw.nl


About Delta Software Technology

Delta Software Technology is a leader in advanced software generators for the integration and modernization of COBOL applications. Delta’s outstanding generative solutions bridge the gap between legacy and modern technologies, creating value from an ever-changing world by building applications that quickly and securely adapt to changing business requirements, technical infrastructure and available resources. Known as “The Generator Company”, Delta combines its standard products, core technologies, latest research results and focused professional services to deliver bespoke generative solutions that automate and optimize integration and modernization projects. Delta has a 30-year track record of successfully delivering advanced software generator technology to Europe’s leading organisations, including AMB Generali, AXA, Deutsche Telekom, IDG, La Poste, RDW, Schorch, Suva and UBS.
More information: http://www.d-s-t-g.com


Delta, SCORE, ObjectBridge, Amelio and the Delta Software Technology logo are registered trademarks, and SCORE Adaptive Bridges, Model Driven Legacy Integration, Integration in Motion, SCORE Integration Suite, SCORE Transformation Suite, SCOUT², ADSplus, Delta/ADS, Delta/DBI, ANGIE, HyperSenses and Active Intent are trademarks of Delta Software Technology GmbH in Germany and/or other countries. All other registered trademarks, trademarks, trade names or service marks are the property of their respective owners.


# # #