Programmers.io increases stability and rate after implementing UiPath automation for IBM i/AS400 green screens
About The Client
The client is a prominent flood insurance provider that has served homeowners for over four decades. Through a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), they offer federal flood policies aimed at safeguarding homes, businesses, and their valuable contents from the devastating impact of flood disasters. Over the years, our client has expanded its presence and capabilities, establishing itself as the largest flood insurance company in the United States.
- Industry: Insurance
- Headquartered: US
- Platforms: UiPath, Jenkins, UIPath Studio, Excel
- Team Size: 4 Professionals
The Challenge
The client faced a significant challenge related to their core business applications, which were hosted on an IBMi mainframe. While they aimed to enhance the quality and efficiency of their testing processes, they encountered difficulties in identifying a suitable test automation solution that could seamlessly integrate with their mainframe environment.
Key Challenges:
Mainframe Environment: The client’s core business applications were hosted on an IBMi mainframe. Mainframe environments often have unique characteristics and technical complexities that require specialized solutions for effective test automation.
Quality and Efficiency Improvement: Seeking to improve the quality and efficiency of their testing practices, the client recognized the potential benefits of test automation. However, they struggled to identify a solution to meet their requirements within their mainframe environment.
Compatibility and Integration: The main challenge lay in finding a test automation solution that could effectively interface with the IBMi mainframe. Compatibility and integration were key concerns, as the chosen solution needed to interact with the mainframe applications and processes seamlessly.
Our Solution
Programmers.io tackled the client's challenge by collaborating with the client to conduct a Test Automation Readiness Study. This study laid the foundation for a strategic approach to automate IBMi mainframe applications, offering substantial advantages, including comprehensive regression testing and stable automated tests.
Test Automation Readiness Study
Programmers.io initiated a comprehensive study to understand the client's needs and technical environment thoroughly. This step ensured that the subsequent solution would be tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of the IBMi mainframe application.
Optimal Strategy Discovery
Programmers.io identified the optimal strategy for automated testing in the IBMi mainframe environment through the collaborative study. This strategy was developed to achieve automated tests, comprehensive regression testing, and stability.
UiPath-Based Automation
Programmers.io determined that UiPath-based automation was the ideal solution. UiPath is a leading robotic process automation (RPA) platform known for its versatility in automating various tasks, including IBMi testing. UiPath scalability was key to adapting it to the client's extensive mainframe environment.
Efficient Automation System
The team at Programmers.io designed a robust automation system that effectively automated testing processes using the UiPath platform. This solution targeted the client's specific needs within the IBMi mainframe context.
Nightly Unattended Robots
The team introduced the concept of running nightly unattended robots to enhance efficiency. This approach allowed tests to be executed automatically during off-hours, ensuring thorough testing without the need for constant human intervention.
Integration with CI/CD
The integration of the UIPath orchestrator with the client's CI/CD tool, Jenkins, proved crucial. This integration enabled automation to be seamlessly triggered by pipeline changes, ensuring that new changes were rigorously tested and integrated into the regression suite.
Technologies Used
Our software architects and engineers are experts in using the latest technologies.
- UiPath
- Jenkins
- UIPath Studio
- Excel
Business Impact
Our solution added value with surprising results because we were able to deliver a high-quality product on time.
Here’s how we did it
-
Comprehensive Testing
Facilitated comprehensive regression testing utilizing a UiPath-based automation solution. This automated solution minimized the risk of errors and issues escaping undetected.
-
Stable Automated Tests
Stabilized automated tests that could be relied upon for accurate results.
-
Scalability
Adapted the automation solution to the client's extensive IBMi mainframe environment which proved invaluable.
-
Efficiency and Acceleration
Integrated unattended robots at night with Jenkins, to accelerate release cycles, improve software quality, and shorten test cycles.
Comprehensive Testing
Facilitated comprehensive regression testing utilizing a UiPath-based automation solution. This automated solution minimized the risk of errors and issues escaping undetected.
Stable Automated Tests
Stabilized automated tests that could be relied upon for accurate results.
Scalability
Adapted the automation solution to the client's extensive IBMi mainframe environment which proved invaluable.
Efficiency and Acceleration
Integrated unattended robots at night with Jenkins, to accelerate release cycles, improve software quality, and shorten test cycles.
Other Case Studies
Collaborative IBMZ/OS Server testing results in transformative changes, including continuous regress...
Programmers.io oversees production functions and IT requests for a trucking industry leader to strea...
I wanted to take a moment to highlight and commemorate the efforts from our dedicated PIO team. To preface, the projects we work on here are complex, with rigid objectives, budgets, and timelines. Expectations are always high and are ever-changing. From the start of our relationship, the IO team was able to exceed expectations and make our business wishes a reality.
Over the past year I have worked with them, they have worked very hard to understand our highly customized system and troubleshoot things with little or no documentation while managing to keep the business up and running normally. Without the hard work and dedication they have shown, I know we would have had some issues causing downtime or lost production. I am looking forward to continuing working them in the next year as well.
I have been working with Programmers IO for more than 5 years now and I have been pleased with all projects and developers that I have worked with. We have had a few issues here and there but they have always fixed and made it right. They have been an excellent addition to our business.
Let’s Build Your Modernization Roadmap Together
Contact us for a free strategy session with IBM i experts.
Talk to an IBM i Expert