Engagement Type: Legacy Modernization & Process Optimization
Services: Requirements, Technical Strategy, Application Development, Mentorship & Training
The Challenge
A leading financial institution relied on a suite of COBOL-based batch applications for mission-critical investment operations—fee calculations, vendor file processing, fund reconciliations, and daily reporting.
These legacy systems were increasingly difficult to maintain, scale, and audit, creating risk and slowing the pace of product innovation.
The Solution
Keyhole Software partnered with the institution’s investment operations team to deliver a multi-phase modernization program centered on the Spring ecosystem and modern delivery practices.
Enterprise Batch Modernization
- Converted a large suite of COBOL batch processes into Spring Batch applications for reliability, transparency, and maintainability.
- Enhanced key workflows: management fee calculations, vendor file processing, data extracts, and reconciliation reporting.
- Implemented unit testing with Mockito and standardized best practices to reduce regression risk.
Centralized File Delivery Service
- Designed a Spring Boot File Delivery Service to replace distributed FTP/Email tasklets with a single, configuration-driven platform.
- Exposed a REST API (via Feign clients) and JMS for seamless integration across internal apps.
- Centralized partner/vendor endpoints for consistent, auditable file distribution.
End-of-Day Processing & Fund Reconciliation
- Rewrote EOD processing and reconciliation with Spring Boot and Spring Batch.
- Processed & validated fund data (e.g., positions, net assets) in DB2; stored reconciliation results in Couchbase.
- Published approved fund data via XML to internal consumers.
Agile Transformation & Mentorship
- Guided transition from waterfall to SAFe using Digital.ai (VersionOne) for sprint planning and backlog refinement.
- Provided ongoing coaching in Spring Batch best practices, tooling, and agile ceremonies.
Engagement Timeline & Model
The client partnered with Keyhole Software across multiple phases from 2011–2025.
Engagements were extended numerous times due to quality, with delivery teams ramping up or down to match current portfolio priorities and budget cycles.
This flexible model ensured continuity of institutional knowledge while optimizing cost and velocity.
- 2011–2014: Initial modernization waves; Spring Batch SME leadership; early conversions from COBOL.
- 2016–2025: Continued enhancements across 300+ batch jobs, File Delivery Service, EOD & reconciliation rewrite, and ongoing agile adoption.
Technology Stack
- Spring Boot
- Spring Batch
- Spring Integration
- Spring Messaging
- MuleSoft
- JSF
- IceFaces
- Vaadin
- DB2
- Oracle
- Couchbase
- Automic UC4
- REST API
- JMS
- Git
- SVN
- JUnit
- Serenity BDD
- Cucumber
- Mockito
- Rapid SQL
- Postman
The Results
- Eliminated COBOL dependency, reducing long-term maintenance costs and hiring risk.
- Centralized file delivery improved accuracy, auditability, and onboarding speed for new partners.
- Higher reliability & performance across daily reconciliation and reporting operations.
- Greater agility for new product launches and third-party integrations.
“Keyhole’s senior consultants integrated quickly, delivered measurable modernization outcomes, and enabled our teams through knowledge transfer.”
