Case Study
Capital Alliance: Data Migration Engine
Business Results
Increased engagement
The migration increased engagement by improving access, usability, and service efficiency.
Improved processing
It improved processing through automation and real-time system integration, reducing manual effort and errors.
Growth in automation
The migration enabled automation by consolidating systems and introducing streamlined, rule-based workflows.
Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Industry: Insurance
Use Case: Extracting and transforming structured and unstructured data across multiple systems
Department: Group Risk
Integrations: Quantum (CA-Datacom), RIO, Compass v7.13, Infinity Process Platform, SQL Server DME, .NET and C# Utilities, Centera and Archive DB, Compass Running Man
Setting the Stage
Capital Alliance operated group risk insurance services on fragmented legacy systems, prompting a strategic consolidation into Liberty Group’s modern platforms to reduce costs and retire outdated infrastructure
Capital Alliance, a unit within Liberty Group, offered group risk insurance services across South Africa. Though legally distinct, it functioned as part of Liberty Corporate and relied on legacy platforms such as the Quantum mainframe (CA-Datacom, IDEAL) and the RIO document and workflow system.
As Liberty initiated a platform consolidation using Sungard Compass and the Infinity Process Platform (IPP), Capital Alliance was selected for migration to unify operations, streamline costs, and facilitate the decommissioning of ageing technologies.
The Challenge
Falcorp was appointed to lead the complex end-to-end data migration and platform decommissioning for Capital Alliance during a high-risk systems transition
Falcorp took full responsibility for migrating Capital Alliance’s data into the new platforms and retiring the legacy systems. The project entailed developing a bespoke Data Migration Engine (DME), enabling extraction and transformation of structured and unstructured data across diverse systems.
The migration process included handling over 7 million binary image files, integrating with more than 20 business functions, and proceeding concurrently with the construction of the target systems, Compass and IPP.
The project faced multiple challenges, from obsolete formats and a compressed timeline to the need for business continuity and comprehensive data archival
Key challenges included the presence of legacy systems with proprietary formats such as CA-Datacom and binary BLOBs, and the pressure of an impending mainframe license renewal deadline.
The migration had to be executed while Compass and IPP were still being developed. A significant volume of interlinked data, covering schemes, claims, commissions, and broker information, required extraction and reconciliation.
Over 7 million image files had to be extracted and reformatted, and uninterrupted service was necessary for more than 20 integrated departments. Additionally, long-term archival and accessibility of historical data was a core requirement.
The Solution
Falcorp delivered a high-precision, high-volume Big Bang migration powered by a robust SQL Server-based engine and custom utilities
Falcorp implemented a Big Bang migration strategy supported by a purpose-built SQL Server Data Migration Engine. A complete Extract-Transform-Load and validation environment was built independently of production, allowing for secure and iterative data cleansing and reconciliation.
C# utilities were created to convert over 7 million RIO documents into native formats, which were then stored in archive-ready repositories to meet long-term regulatory requirements.
The team coordinated batch data loads into Compass via the “Running Man” interface and worked closely with IPP to hand over workflow activities.
Scheme groupings, cutover protocols, validation steps, and rollback mechanisms were defined to ensure traceability and enable safe decommissioning of Quantum and RIO systems.
Falcorp’s implementation pivoted from a phased to a Big Bang model, enabling successful migration within the tight time constraints
To meet pressing deadlines, the approach shifted from a phased, scheme-by-scheme migration to a comprehensive Big Bang strategy. The DME was instrumental in executing parallel cycles of data cleansing and mapping while the target systems were still evolving.
Image data was extracted from 37 BLOB-based databases and transformed into native formats. A separate SQL-based archive database with an intuitive user interface was created to house data not migrated into Compass.
Integration plans for Compass and IPP were designed with flexibility to adapt to ongoing interface changes. Reconciliation routines and exception handling protocols were implemented to ensure data integrity and audit compliance.
Falcorp’s implementation pivoted from a phased to a Big Bang model, enabling successful migration within the tight time constraints
The project leveraged Falcorp’s capabilities in orchestrating complex data migrations involving legacy mainframes and modern platforms. This included rapid development of data staging and cleansing tools using SQL Server and .NET, and advanced techniques in document archiving and binary BLOB processing.
Falcorp managed integration with Compass and IPP, including bulk ingestion and validation rules. The team maintained end-to-end visibility across IT and business functions, engaging closely with actuarial, finance, operations, and compliance teams to ensure alignment and continuity.
What we Achieved
A comprehensive suite of technical services supported the successful transition from legacy to modern systems
Falcorp provided strategic and technical services including the definition of the overall migration strategy and architecture, development of a custom SQL Server-based DME, and creation of CA-Datacom extract utilities and IDEAL scripting (in collaboration with Connection42).
The project also included document image conversion and archive retention planning, generation of data cleansing and quality reports, and planning for Compass and IPP integration.
Execution covered technical cutover and the delivery of a fully functional archive repository and retrieval interface.
The project concluded with the full decommissioning of legacy systems and the successful migration and archiving of millions of member records and documents
Quantum and RIO platforms were decommissioned ahead of the license renewal deadline. One million active members were migrated to Compass and integrated systems, while an additional three million non-active members were archived using a custom solution implemented by Falcorp.
Over 7 million documents were extracted, reformatted, and securely stored in native formats. All active schemes, claims, and commissions were fully migrated, and open workflows were reinstated within IPP to ensure uninterrupted service. A full SQL-based archive with auditing capabilities was also created, aligning with Liberty’s strategic platform consolidation objectives.
Adoption
The adoption of the system was seamless, with full migration of active and archived data enabling uninterrupted operations and alignment with Liberty’s broader platform strategy.
Although not a customer-facing platform, adoption was critical across Liberty’s business units. More than 20 departments dependent on legacy systems were transitioned to the new infrastructure without disruption.
Looking forward
This project exemplifies Falcorp’s ability to deliver high-risk, large-scale migrations involving complex legacy systems and evolving modern platforms
The Capital Alliance engagement highlights Falcorp’s proven capability in executing time-critical, high-volume platform migrations across mainframe, document, and policy administration systems. It underscores their ability to manage evolving technical targets, maintain business continuity, and handle complex data structure, making their services highly relevant to insurers pursuing platform modernisation, data transformation, or legacy system decommissioning.
The project also reflects Falcorp’s deep technical understanding of older-generation technologies and their ability to integrate these seamlessly into modern Insurance Administration platforms composed of diverse functional components.
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