Overview
The agency manages prisons, jails and private correctional facilities, and oversees offenders released on parole or mandatory supervision. Its mainframe applications support critical functions, including offender release dates, inmate healthcare, real-time warrant checks and day-to-day prison operations.
The agency planned to deploy a modern, cloud-based ERP system from Microsoft, but incompatibilities with its existing mainframe technology created a substantial barrier. Working with Microsoft and Amdocs, the agency replatformed its z/OS applications to Microsoft Azure, modernized its database technology and streamlined its applications. The migration enabled access to cloud-native services and laid the groundwork for improved efficiency and lower operating costs.
Challenge
The agency selected Microsoft Dynamics as its new ERP system. The system would require extensive integration with existing applications, but the agency’s mainframe technology was poorly suited to rapid, flexible integration.Its z/OS systems used the EBCDIC character set, while limitations in its existing mainframe database further complicated integration with modern cloud-based systems. To support the ERP rollout, the agency decided to replatform its mainframe applications to Microsoft Azure.
These applications support mission-critical functions with direct implications for public safety. Prison officials rely on them to manage incarceration and parole supervision, while state and local police depend on accurate information when checking for warrants during routine traffic stops. Preserving functional accuracy and service reliability throughout the transition was therefore essential.
