Cobol, often ridiculed as the "vintage car" of programming languages, still maintains a strong presence in the public sector. Government agencies and ministries rely on Cobol-based systems that have been operating reliably for decades - from tax administration and pension calculations to resident registration. But time is taking its toll on these systems.
Challenges in the Public Sector
Outdated Infrastructure: Many Cobol applications run on legacy hardware and software, which is expensive to maintain and vulnerable to security breaches.
Loss of Knowledge: Similar to the private sector, public authorities are struggling with the retirement of experienced Cobol developers and a shortage of young talent.
Digitalization: The demands for digital administration are increasing. Citizens expect modern online services that are often difficult to implement with Cobol systems.
Modernization as an Opportunity
These challenges also present an opportunity to advance digitalization in the public sector.
Step-by-Step Modernization: Instead of aiming for complete replacement, Cobol systems can be modernized gradually.
Integration: Modern technologies like APIs and microservices enable the connection of Cobol to contemporary user interfaces and cloud solutions.
Process Optimization: Modernization offers the chance to review existing processes and make them more efficient.
Successful Digitalization with Cobol
Numerous examples show that Cobol does not have to be an obstacle to digitalization:
Online Tax Returns: A tax office enables the filing of tax returns via a modern web application that accesses the existing Cobol system in the background.
Digital Resident Registration: A municipality modernizes its registration system and offers citizens the possibility to register online, without media breaks to the Cobol-based resident registration system.
Conclusion
Cobol continues to play an important role in the public sector. The challenges of modernization and digitalization must not be ignored. With the right strategy and investment in innovative technologies, public administration can offer efficient and citizen-friendly services - even with Cobol in the background.
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