Modernizing Philadelphia

Case Study: Modernizing Legacy Mainframe Access for Philadelphia Company

Case Studies
October 12, 2025•2 min read

Industry: Financial Services

Company Size: Small company

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Infrastructure: Hosted in AWS

Overview

A small financial services firm in Philadelphia needed a more secure, efficient way to access a third-party mainframe application via TN3270 emulation. Traditional connection methods were outdated, difficult to manage, and lacked security controls. Lumis IT implemented Micro Focus Host Access for the Cloud (HACloud), integrated with Active Directory for centralized authentication and role-based access. The result: simplified administration, faster onboarding, and a streamlined user experience.

Challenges

The firm’s teams relied on a mainframe application accessed through TN3270 emulation. However, their existing approach posed multiple issues:

  • Legacy connections were hard to manage and lacked robust security.

  • No centralized control for provisioning or restricting user access.

  • Local client installations created compatibility headaches and slowed deployment.

With infrastructure hosted in AWS, the client sought a browser-based solution that could integrate with Active Directory and provide fine-grained access control.

The Lumis IT Solution

Lumis IT deployed Micro Focus Host Access for the Cloud (HACloud) to deliver secure, clientless TN3270 connectivity. The solution eliminated the need for desktop software while tightening access and improving usability.

Key Implementation Steps:

  • Active Directory Integration: Centralized authentication and enforcement of password policies.

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Restricting access to specific mainframe sessions via AD groups.

  • AWS Deployment: Delivering high availability and secure connectivity from the cloud.

  • Browser-Based Access: Enabling seamless, clientless access from company-managed devices.

Results

The project produced immediate operational and security improvements:

  • Strengthened Security: Role-based access ensured only authorized users could connect, reducing risk.

  • Faster Onboarding: New users are provisioned via AD groups in minutes.

  • Simplified IT Administration: Standardized procedures and easier deployment of new TN3270 sessions.

  • Improved User Experience: No need for local client software, removing compatibility issues.

  • Scalable & Documented: Clear SOPs supported future growth and consistent administration.

By moving to Micro Focus Host Access for the Cloud, Lumis IT helped this financial services firm modernize mainframe access without sacrificing security or control. The combination of browser-based connectivity, Active Directory integration, and AWS-hosted deployment created a scalable solution that reduced IT overhead, improved user onboarding, and delivered a seamless experience for end-users.

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