The Police Language Association, established in 1943, has long been a vital organization supporting language education and professional development for police officers and prosecutors in Denmark. However, despite its crucial role, the association faced a significant IT challenge.
For years, its operations relied on an outdated UNIX-based system built in COBOL. Over time, the system became increasingly difficult to maintain, and when the IT provider announced it would discontinue support with only 12 months’ notice, the organization faced a major dilemma. While they were granted access to their data, they were denied access to the source code, leaving them unable to maintain or expand the system. Documentation was minimal, consisting only of user manuals with no technical descriptions of the system’s structure or business logic.
To continue operations and improve efficiency, the Police Language Association needed a new IT solution - one that was flexible, modern, and capable of optimizing its core processes.
Rather than building a new system entirely from scratch, the association decided to retain its database structure but modernize it significantly. The team leveraged Sitemule Architect, a revolutionary platform designed to simplify data management and enhance user interactions with ERP systems.
The legacy UNIX-COBOL system became impossible to maintain when source code access was lost, forcing a complete modernization of the association’s IT foundation.
Using Model Studio, they transformed the legacy database into a modern relational SQL database, where relationships, constraints, and indexing could be defined intuitively. By doing so, they eliminated a major technical flaw in the old system: previously, members were identified solely through their CPR numbers (Danish personal identification numbers), which was both a security risk and non-compliant with GDPR. The new system replaced this with a more secure and structured approach to member identification.
Within a few weeks, they were able to visualize the data within Portfolio, an application environment within Sitemule Architect. Initially, the system displayed only raw data, but in the following weeks, business logic was reimplemented by translating user interviews into small program scripts at key event points in the system.
The transition to Sitemule Architect not only preserved existing data and functionality but also dramatically improved workflows and user accessibility. Employees now had access to Grid Views, which functioned much like a spreadsheet, allowing them to filter, sort, and group data efficiently.
The ability to personalize data views and save preferences made daily tasks significantly smoother.
Moreover, implementing Forms and Tree Structures meant that employees could quickly navigate through member records, financial transactions, and course enrollments. The system also enabled exporting data to multiple formats, including Excel, XML, and CSV, simplifying reporting and analysis.
With the introduction of built-in security measures, members could now securely access their savings and course information through a web-based self-service portal using MitID authentication. The new architecture ensured data security and compliance while enhancing the overall member experience.
The modernization of the Police Language Association’s IT system has led to significant improvements across all operational areas. The new system streamlined administrative processes, reduced the reliance on manual workflows, and made member services more accessible.
With the Domain Model Design approach, system updates no longer require downtime. Changes to data structures or business logic could be implemented instantly, making the system far more adaptable to future needs.
Users now had access to powerful analytics tools, allowing them to filter, sort, and visualize data through interactive charts and reports. The introduction of an audit history feature provided full transparency on all data modifications, giving employees greater confidence in the system.
"It has become significantly easier to serve our members and work with the system."
Department Head Marianne Zinck
By adopting Sitemule Architect, the Police Language Association has not only replaced an obsolete system but also positioned itself for long-term digital success. The transition to a modern, web-based platform has improved efficiency, strengthened security, and provided employees and members with a more intuitive and flexible IT solution.
This case demonstrates how Sitemule Architect can seamlessly modernize legacy systems, transforming cumbersome manual processes into efficient, automated workflows. For the Police Language Association, the investment in a modern digital infrastructure has ensured future adaptability and sustainable growth - while continuing to support its members with the best possible service.
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