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Großhansdorf, Germany

Experience

Jul 2023 - Dec 2025

2 years 6 months

Migration of Host Programs to Decentralized Processing (Cobol to Java)

Freelancer

Analysis of calculations in the legacy system (Cobol), reconciliation with specification and checking differences in the new system
Managing change requests with Jira
Basis for compare reconciliation: XML formats for further processing in Dopix (business: VS certificate, customer info, contribution statements)
Automated XML comparisons via TWS jobs in various test systems
Reviewing and documenting related utility programs and interface calls
Reviewing legacy programs in terms of content, technology, and business logic
Creating and extending JCLs for regression tests host <> decentralized
Analyzing error cases and comparing with specifications for correctness
Creating Jira tickets as requests or bug fixes for the Java programs

Technical environment:

COBOL
TSO/ISPF
DB2/SQL (Spufi, QE2)
IMS-DB/DC application development
JCL, TWS (Tivoli), EJM Beta48 (AIX)
Changeman (Extended Release Option)
Citrix environment
MS Office
Ticket management with Jira
Agile development

Jul 2022 - Present

3 years 7 months

Freelancer

Support of legacy application according to business requirements
Analysis of legacy system for deviations from documentation
Clarification of differences between legacy and new systems (e.g., compare runs of XML interfaces)
Domain knowledge (insurance, banking, funds)
Support in host replacement migrations
Cobol application development on IBM mainframe in TSO and DB2 environment
Job control processes in a complex environment with calls to decentralized software (AIX and Windows)
Integration of interfaces for commissions, collections, partners, and SAP via JCL
Analysis of error situations in 2nd/3rd level support for business and technical issues
Analysis of change requirements for business specifications
Setting up test environments for complex test processes and supporting business test runs
Test runs under TWS (Tivoli) for comparison runs legacy systems (Cobol) <> new systems (Java)
XML compare with analysis of differences in legacy system (Cobol)
Ticket management with Jira for differences legacy <> new systems
Managing job runs in production and test in various test systems
Supporting the interface from Life Factory to specific DB2 tables (XML/CLOB)
Generating DB2 components and SQL fix runs for data modification
IMS-DB/DC application development
Migration runs for transitions of core systems in life insurance
Use of Changeman (Extended Release Management) and Procman (job control)
Development in agile environment (Scrum, Kanban)

Jul 1999 - Apr 2022

22 years 10 months

Software Developer

Insurance company in Hamburg

Software development of actuarial applications
Support of interfaces to a UK insurer
Support of interfaces of the standard software COR AG (dynamic features, funds, commissions, collections)
Programming the interface to the funds software Pylon and analysis for business units
IMS-DB/DC programming for fund application
Data migration in life insurance host to host
Analysis and programming of the CLOB interface to msglife Life Factory for data enrichment
Comprehensive JCL creation and modifications for batch jobs in a complex production and test environment
Analysis of business unit reports and change requests

Technical environment:

COBOL (PL1 until 2004)
TSO/ISPF
DB2/SQL (Spufi, QE2), Adabas (1999–2004)
IMS-DB/DC
JCL, EJM Beta48 (AIX)
Changeman (Extended Release Option)
Citrix environment
RAP login, VPN access (2020–2022)
MS Office
LifeFactory (standard software by msglife) with focus on SNTServer, funds

Business domain:

Calculations for life/annuity according to business unit requirements
LifeFactory interface and basic understanding of the data model
Funds price interface
Funds statistics for the fund order process
Agile development, Kanban (since 2020)

Jul 1998 - Jun 1999

1 year

Hamburg, Germany

Consultant

IT consulting company

Software development of employer contribution accounts in health insurance

Technical environment:

COBOL
TSO/ISPF
DB2/SQL
IMS-DB/DC
JCL
Lotus Notes
MS Office

Business domain:

Management of employer contribution accounts

Jul 1987 - Jun 1998

11 years

Munich, Germany

Consultant

IT consulting

Software development in the area of mortgage loans for standard software (host)
Application development with interprocess communication LU6.2 to AIX and X Server with calls to a Windows Word application
Software development in the area of credit card applications (POS, clearing)

Technical environment:

COBOL
TSO/ISPF
DB2/SQL
CICS
VSAM
JCL
OS/2
LU6.2 for X Server Windows calls

Business domain:

Applications for loans and reporting
Applications for credit cards (POS and back office)

Summary

35 years employed at 5 different companies (insurance, banks, IT consulting) in application programming and error analysis; freelancer since 7/2022

Skills

Support Of Legacy Application According To Business Requirements
Analysis Of Legacy System For Deviations From Documentation
Clarification Of Differences Between Legacy And New Systems (E.g., Compare Runs For Xml Interfaces)
Domain Knowledge (Insurance, Banking, Funds)
Support In Host Replacement Migrations
Application Development In Cobol On Ibm Mainframe In Tso And Db2 Environment
Job Control Processes In Complex Environments With Calls To Decentralized Software (Aix And Windows)
Connecting Interfaces For Commissions, Collections, Partners, Sap Via Jcl
Analysis Of Error Situations In 2nd/3rd Level Support For Business And Technical Issues
Analysis Of Change Requirements For Business Specifications
Setting Up Test Environments For Complex Test Processes And Supporting Business Test Runs
Test Runs Under Tws (Tivoli) For Comparison Runs Legacy (Cobol) <> New Systems (Java)
Xml Compare With Analysis Of Differences In Legacy System (Cobol)
Ticket Management With Jira For Differences Legacy <> New Systems
Operation Of Job Runs In Production And Test In Various Test Systems
Support Of Interface From Life Factory To Specific Db2 Tables (Xml/clob)
Generating Db2 Components And Sql Fix Runs For Data Modification
Ims-db/dc Application Development
Migration Runs For Transitions Of Existing Systems In Life Insurance
Changeman (Extended Release Management), Procman (Job Control)
Development In Agile Environment (Scrum, Kanban)

Languages

German

Native

Education

IT clerk

University of Freiburg

Diploma in Economics · Economics · Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Certifications & licenses

VS certificate

Profile

Created

January 2026

Last Update

January 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Axel based?

Axel is based in Großhansdorf, Germany.

What languages does Axel speak?

Axel speaks the following languages: German (Native).

How many years of experience does Axel have?

Axel has at least 38 years of experience. During this time, Axel has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 7 years and 7 months. Note that Axel may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Axel be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Axel would be well-suited for roles such as: Migration of Host Programs to Decentralized Processing (Cobol to Java), Freelancer, Software Developer.

What is Axel's latest experience?

Axel's most recent position is Migration of Host Programs to Decentralized Processing (Cobol to Java) at Freelancer.

What companies has Axel worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Axel has worked for Freelancer and Insurance company in Hamburg.

Which industries is Axel most experienced in?

Axel is most experienced in industries like Insurance and Banking and Finance.

Which business areas is Axel most experienced in?

Axel is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology (IT), Quality Assurance (QA), and Accounting.

Which industries has Axel worked in recently?

Axel has recently worked in industries like Insurance and Banking and Finance.

Which business areas has Axel worked in recently?

Axel has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology (IT) and Quality Assurance (QA).

What is Axel's education?

Axel attended education in IT clerk.

Does Axel have any certificates?

Axel has 1 certificate: VS certificate.

What is the availability of Axel?

Axel will be available from February 2026.

What is the rate of Axel?

Axel's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.