Project Description

Informatica, a leading data integration platform, has been a cornerstone for our client’s big data workflows. These workflows encompass a multitude of tasks, from data acquisition across diverse sources to intricate transformations and processing, all aligned with specific business objectives. However, with the decision to phase out Informatica, our requirement was to replicate the existing workflows using .NET using our system modernization and custom software development services, ensuring seamless continuity in essential data operations.

Informatica, founded in 1993, has evolved into a comprehensive data management solution, empowering organizations to streamline their data integration processes. It offers a range of features, including data quality management, master data management, and data governance, making it a popular choice for enterprises worldwide. For our client, Informatica served as a management platform that handled complex workflows, retrieving and transforming datasets from different business areas to achieve crucial tasks.

Challenge

Problem

1. Limited familiarity with Informatica led to difficulties in understanding its platform structure and workflow logic.

2. The team needed to grasp Informatica’s complex data integration and transformation mechanisms.

3. Lack of prior experience in Informatica slowed initial analysis and workflow interpretation.

4. Understanding dependencies between multiple workflows and data mappings proved challenging.

5. Aligning Informatica’s workflow architecture with .NET-based systems required in-depth technical exploration.

6. Ensuring no loss of functionality or data accuracy during migration was a critical concern.

Project Goals

Application Understanding Goals

  • Gain an in-depth understanding of Informatica’s components, including PowerCenter and Workflow Manager.
  • Analyze and interpret data integration, transformation, and automation processes within Informatica.

Documentation Goals

  • Create comprehensive documentation of existing Informatica workflows for transparency and reference.
  • Capture detailed insights into workflow structures, transformations, and dependencies to support migration.

Migration and Development Goals

  • Reverse engineer Informatica workflows to replicate functionality within a .NET environment.
  • Develop .NET-based batch jobs that mirror Informatica’s business logic and data processing flows.
  • Ensure continuity and reliability of all data operations post-migration.

Solution

Xorbix Technologies Inc. executed a structured, multi-phase migration strategy to transition complex Informatica workflows into a .NET environment. The solution focused on deep analysis, documentation, and replication of existing business logic to ensure complete functionality and data integrity post-migration.

Knowledge Acquisition & Platform Understanding

  • Collaborated with Informatica subject matter experts to gain insights into architecture, data flow, and workflow design.
  • Explored Informatica components like PowerCenter and Workflow Manager to understand their operational frameworks.
  • Identified best practices for data integration and workflow automation to inform migration planning.

Workflow Documentation & Analysis

  • Created detailed documentation outlining each workflow’s purpose, inputs, outputs, and dependencies.
  • Cataloged business rules and data transformation logic for accurate replication in the new environment.
  • Established a clear mapping between Informatica tasks and equivalent .NET components.

Reverse Engineering & Validation

  • Deconstructed Informatica workflows to understand underlying logic and relationships between tasks.
  • Designed equivalent data mappings, transformations, and processes in .NET.
  • Conducted validation testing in lower environments to ensure output parity between both systems.

Migration & Implementation in .NET

  • Developed batch jobs using .NET Core to replicate Informatica workflows efficiently.
  • Integrated Control-M for automated job scheduling and workflow management.
  • Ensured the new .NET-based system maintained reliability, performance, and scalability.

High Level Architecture

Innovations

  • Reverse Engineering: Applied a structured approach to decode and replicate Informatica workflows in .NET.
  • Automated Documentation: Created standardized templates to document workflow logic and dependencies.
  • Iterative Validation: Conducted step-by-step testing to ensure parity between systems.
  • Batch Processing Upgrade: Built .NET Core batch jobs with Control-M for faster, reliable automation.

Security

  • Restricted Access: Limited environment access to authorized team members.
  • Data Integrity Checks: Validated outputs between systems to prevent discrepancies.
  • Secure Code Repositories: Used version control and CI/CD for safe code management.
  • Compliance Standards: Followed client data governance and security protocols.

Core Technologies

  • .NET Core
  • Control-M
  • Informatica Power Designer
  • Informatica Workflow Manager
  • SQL Server

Process

Knowledge Acquisition & Planning

  • Initiated the project with a Spike story under Xorbix’s system modernization services to study Informatica workflows and data dependencies.
  • Conducted in-depth research and experimentation to gain practical insights into Informatica’s architecture and functionality.
  • Created detailed workflow documentation through Xorbix’s IT consulting and documentation expertise, mapping each component for migration readiness.

Agile Development & Migration Execution

  • Followed Xorbix’s Agile software development methodology, executing migration tasks in iterative two-week sprints.
  • Leveraged custom software development services to rebuild Informatica workflows within the .NET framework using modern technologies.
  • Collaborated closely with Product Owners and Solution Architects to align migration goals with business and technical requirements.

Testing, Validation & Continuous Improvement

  • Applied QA and testing services (part of our software development process) to validate data integrity, system accuracy, and business rule consistency.
  • Conducted iterative testing cycles in lower environments to compare Informatica and .NET outputs for precision.
  • Integrated stakeholder feedback in each sprint to continuously improve performance, scalability, and maintainability.

Results

  • Reduced Licensing Costs: Migrating from Informatica to .NET eliminated recurring licensing fees, leading to significant long-term cost savings.
  • Enhanced Workflow Flexibility: The new .NET-based system allows for easier customization, faster updates, and improved adaptability to changing business needs.
  • Improved Transparency: Real-time visibility into workflows empowers stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions.
  • Streamlined Operations: Consolidating processes within the .NET environment enhanced performance, control, and scalability.
  • Future-Ready Infrastructure: The migration established a robust foundation for ongoing modernization, enabling seamless integration with future technologies.

Optimize your enterprise workflows with Xorbix, a trusted custom software development and system modernization company.

Let’s modernize your legacy systems with scalable, cost-efficient solutions.

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