Audi AG worked with Gloster to modernize its internal reporting infrastructure, replacing seven separate legacy systems with a single, flexible, and highly configurable solution. With more than 35,000 daily users, this platform has not only simplified reporting, but also enabled business users to create insights without relying on IT expertise. The system was designed to run on mainframe infrastructure, using Java and Angular technologies instead of COBOL-based legacy systems, and connecting directly to the DB2 database, enabling a more modern and sustainable architecture. The result is a scalable and intuitive tool that adapts to business needs in real time.

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Audi AG is one of the world's leading premium car manufacturers and a core brand of the Volkswagen Group. Audi is headquartered in Germany, but operates a significant vehicle and engine manufacturing plant in Győr, Hungary, under the name Audi Hungaria Zrt. The company is renowned for its technological innovation, engineering excellence, and global production network.

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Despite its industrial prowess, Audi's internal IT and reporting systems were extremely fragmented. Each department ran separate, independent applications on mainframe computers based on outdated COBOL and stored procedure-based architectures. These systems were not only difficult to maintain, but also inflexible when business requirements changed, and updating reports often required developer intervention, lengthy testing cycles, and system reboots.

The main challenge was to replace these rigid, outdated systems with a modern, sustainable, and intuitive reporting platform that could evolve quickly as business needs changed.

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• Consolidation and retirement of the outdated 7+ reporting system
• Enable self-service reporting across departments, reducing IT dependency.
• Configuration-driven flexibility to adapt to real-time business needs
• Ensuring system security and performance by leveraging mainframe-native Java architecture
• Creating a long-term, maintainable, and scalable solution

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Gloster worked with Audi's internal teams from concept validation through to full implementation. The solution is a modern reporting tool designed to work seamlessly in a mainframe environment while providing the intuitive drag-and-drop experience of modern BI platforms. The architecture is entirely configuration-based, meaning that even non-technical users can customize data views and reports without developer support.

• Mainframe-native Java architecture: To ensure optimal data access speed and security, it runs directly on IBM mainframes, eliminating the additional costs associated with external queries.
• COBOL-to-Java Modernization: Java has replaced or abstracted certain parts of the original COBOL logic, improving maintainability and developer accessibility.‍
• Real-time configurability: New data sources or table fields can be added in minutes; the system immediately reflects the changes without the need for a reinstallation.‍
• Data Room and Permission Control: Users have access to curated datasets tailored to their roles and permission levels, enabling secure and context-specific reporting.‍
• Self-service user interface: The Angular-based front end supports intuitive filtering, data selection, and export tools, so no knowledge of SQL is required.‍
• BI-style reporting: Outputs can be configured in tabular, matrix, or visual formats.

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• Proof of Concept (2016): Gloster demonstrated that Java applications can run efficiently on IBM mainframes and delivered the first working prototype.
• Full Implementation (2018): The solution went live approximately 18 months later, replacing the first of the seven previous systems.
• Continuous expansion: On average, two old devices were phased out each year. Easy configurability and minimal disruptions enabled a rapid, low-risk migration.‍
• Team Integration: A Gloster team of about 10 people worked closely with Audi, participating in workshops, agile sprints, and the onboarding of business units.

Business impact

• 35,000+ daily users: The platform is used by every department, from business support to manufacturing, democratizing access to data.
• 7 Legacy Systems Retired: The consolidation drastically reduced maintenance costs and complexity.
• Minutes instead of months: Changing the configuration takes minutes instead of weeks, eliminating IT bottlenecks.
• Sustainable Architecture: Using Java on mainframes ensures performance and future-proof compatibility without increasing operational risk.‍
• IT Cost Reduction: Significant savings through system consolidation and a reduction in support costs.

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Gloster and Audi continue to collaborate on platform development:

• Web-based interface enhancements: Current updates focus on further developing the Angular front end to ensure seamless browser access.
• Key Growth Areas: Plans include analytical dashboards, improved approval workflows, and insights derived from data driven by artificial intelligence.‍
• Broader group-wide integration: Thanks to the platform’s modular, configurable foundation, it is well-positioned to be adopted by other units within the VW Group.

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