Base24 Classic to BASE24-eps Migration Guide: Hidden Challenges Banks Don’t See Coming

Business Drivers Behind BASE24-eps Migration {#business-drivers}

Financial institutions worldwide face mounting pressure to update their payment processing infrastructure. The decision to migrate from Base24 Classic to BASE24-eps stems from several critical business imperatives that extend beyond simple technology refreshes.

End-of-life Risks in Base24 Classic {#end-of-life-risks}

Base24: “Understanding End-of-life Risks in Base24 Classic”

Base24 has been the backbone of payment processing and electronic data interchange for many financial institutions and Banks for decades. However, the sunset announcement for Base24 Classic marked a significant turning point for banks relying on this legacy system. While not a complete end-of-life declaration, this strategic shift carried substantial implications—standard maintenance rates increased significantly, and no new releases would be developed for the Classic product.

Despite these constraints, ACI committed to providing 24x7x365 Base24 maintenance and mandate support for existing customers. However, as technology advances and digital payment methods proliferate, institutions remaining on Classic face growing challenges:

• Frozen platform capabilities making it difficult to support emerging payment technologies
• Increasing costs for custom modifications
• Growing security vulnerabilities as patches become less frequent
• Difficulty finding skilled resources familiar with legacy systems

Many banks still rely on Base24 for their critical payment processing needs, but the risks of remaining on this platform continue to grow with each passing year.

Regulatory Compliance and EMV Mandates {#regulatory-compliance}

Base24 eps : “BASE24-eps Compliance with Regulatory and EMV Mandates”

Regulatory requirements represent another primary driver pushing financial institutions toward BASE24-eps adoption. The payment card industry faces continuous evolution of security standards, notably PCI DSS, which reached its most significant update since 2004 with version 4.0. This iteration introduces substantial changes to underlying requirements, demanding more sophisticated approaches to data protection.

BASE24-eps offers significant improvements in transaction processing efficiency and security. The platform addresses these challenges by providing:

• Continuous product compliance with regulatory mandates
• Enhanced EMV acquiring and key management support
• Ability to meet critical security requirements while adapting to regional variations
• Support for the latest network standards—covering 40 global and regional networks

This adaptability extends to newer payment technologies, including NFC and mobile wallets, which have seen rapid adoption across the industry. The modular architecture of BASE24-eps allows for greater flexibility in payment processing, making it easier to adapt to changing regulatory requirements.

Operational Cost Reduction {#cost-reduction}

Base24 payment switch: “Cost Reduction Through Base24 Payment Switch Optimization”

Perhaps the most compelling business driver for BASE24-eps migration is the potential for substantial operational cost reduction. The introduction of support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux/x86 reduces operating expenses by more than 50 percent while simultaneously increasing performance, scalability, and reliability.

Configuring your Base24 payment switch correctly is crucial for successful migration. In recent testing on Linux, ACI achieved double the transactions per second (TPS) throughput of its largest customer at a lower cost of scale compared with other platforms.

This migration also addresses the industry-wide shift away from siloed applications. Previously, banks frequently purchased separate systems for different services—one for ATM management and another for Point of Sale (POS) transactions. BASE24-eps consolidates these functions into a single system, simplifying integration and reducing maintenance costs.

The platform’s flexibility extends to infrastructure choices, with support for multiple environments including:

• IBM System z
• IBM System p
• Sun Solaris
• HP Nonstop
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux/x86

This versatility allows banks to leverage existing investments in technology and support resources, creating a more graceful migration path rather than forcing a complete “rip and replace” approach.

Understanding BASE24-eps Architecture {#architecture}

The technological foundation of BASE24-eps represents a substantial departure from its Classic predecessor. Built on a modern object-oriented architecture, this payment platform delivers exceptional performance while providing the flexibility modern financial institutions require.

C++based Modular Design {#modular-design}

Base24 eps : “BASE24-eps C++ based Modular Design Benefits”

Implementing BASE24-eps requires understanding its unique architectural differences from legacy systems. At its core, BASE24-eps utilizes C++ programming language within an object-based architecture to process electronic payment transactions. This modern approach enables exceptional performance metrics, handling approximately 2,000 transactions per second (TPS) with remarkably low latency.

Each transaction must complete within a maximum of 200 milliseconds—including messaging subsystem operations, database access, and hardware security device interactions. The system’s fault-tolerant design achieves near-zero Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO), ensuring continuous availability for critical payment services. Unlike monolithic legacy systems, BASE24-eps offers horizontal scalability through its modular architecture. This capability allows financial institutions to expand capacity without complete system overhauls as transaction volumes grow.

The BASE24-eps authorization engine is a key component of this modular design, providing flexible and efficient transaction processing capabilities. It supports various authorization methods, including stand-in authorization when the issuer is unavailable, ensuring continuous service availability.

Support for ATM, POS, and Card Interfaces {#interfaces}

Base24 ATM : “Base24 ATM Network Support and Integration”

BASE24-eps excels in multi-channel payment processing, supporting diverse transaction types across delivery networks. Base24 ATM networks require special consideration during migration planning. The platform manages both traditional and emerging channels, providing integrated functions for:

• Device management
• Transaction acquisition
• Authentication
• Switching and routing
• Security and fraud prevention
• Monitoring and reporting
• Connectivity

For external connections, BASE24-eps supports over 40 global and regional networks, including national switches and international card scheme interfaces. The system can utilize various protocols—prominently the Interactive Financial eXchange (IFX) standard for ATM/POS communications. This protocol selection offers advantages through its maturity, open standard nature, and platform independence.

Ensuring continuous availability of Base24 ATM services is a primary concern during migration. Additionally, BASE24-eps supports industry-standard message formats like ISO8583, commonly used for VISA network communications. This versatility ensures compatibility with existing payment infrastructures while facilitating integration with future protocols.

The BASE24-eps system includes specialized components like BASE24-ATM and BASE24-POS to handle specific channel requirements. These modules integrate seamlessly with the core BASE24-eps platform, providing a unified solution for transaction switching and processing across multiple channels.

Flexible Authorization via Scripting {#authorization}

Base24 eps : “Flexible Authorization in BASE24-eps Through Scripting”

One of BASE24-eps’ most innovative features is its scripting capability that fundamentally transforms payment processing flexibility. The platform employs a JavaScript-like scripting language that significantly improves overall transaction processing adaptability. This approach delivers two primary business benefits:

• Faster time-to-market for new services
• Reduced dependency on traditional system modifications

The scripting functionality extends beyond transaction processing to extracts and reports, giving financial institutions greater control over data utilization. BASE24-eps can be configured for both synchronous and asynchronous service invocations, adapting to various integration requirements including connections to core banking systems.

// Example BASE24-eps Authorization Script
function authorizeTransaction(transaction) {
  // Check card status
  if (transaction.cardStatus != “ACTIVE”) {
    return DECLINE;
  }
 
  // Check available balance
  if (transaction.amount > transaction.availableBalance) {
    return DECLINE;
  }
 
  // Check transaction limits
  if (transaction.amount > transaction.dailyLimit) {
    return DECLINE;
  }
 
  // All checks passed, authorize transaction
  return APPROVE;
}

This scripting capability allows banks to quickly implement new business rules without requiring system-level changes, significantly reducing time-to-market for new services. The flexibility of the scripting engine enables rapid adaptation to changing market conditions and regulatory requirements.

Platform Independence {#platform-independence}

Base24 : “Platform Independence: Moving Beyond Base24 Limitations”

Unlike many payment solutions constrained to specific hardware environments, BASE24-eps offers exceptional deployment flexibility. Migrating from Base24 to BASE24-eps requires careful planning and execution. The platform operates across multiple server technologies, including:

• IBM System z
• IBM System p
• HP NonStop (formerly Tandem)
• HP-UX
• Sun Solaris
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux/x86

This platform independence allows financial institutions to leverage existing infrastructure investments while planning strategic technology evolution.

On IBM z/OS environments, BASE24-eps operates as a CICS application accessing VSAM RLS (record level sharing) files for data and configuration. The system configuration utilizes a graphical user interface called ACI Desktop, which remotely connects to CICS using XMLS transaction services. For queuing mechanisms, the platform can employ either native CICS transient data queues or external WebSphere MQ queues.

Notably, BASE24-eps now includes support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux/x86, which delivers substantial operational advantages. This deployment option reduces operating expenses while simultaneously improving performance, scalability, and reliability metrics compared to traditional environments.

The latest version, BASE24-eps v6.2, introduces additional enhancements to improve performance and scalability across various platforms. This version also includes improved support for digital payment solutions, enabling banks to quickly adapt to emerging payment technologies.

Designing a Phased Migration Strategy {#migration-strategy}

Successful BASE24-eps implementation requires careful strategic planning. The migration journey demands meticulous attention to existing transaction flows, zero disruption to operations, and maintaining transparency for all stakeholders.

Step 0: Mainframe Authorization Coexistence {#step-0}

Base24 : “Base24 and BASE24-eps Authorization Coexistence”

The migration process begins with establishing authorization coexistence between legacy systems and BASE24-eps. Initially, this phase focuses on building the foundation while maintaining current operations intact. During this stage, banks should implement authorization capabilities on their mainframe systems, ensuring transaction approval processes function properly across both environments.

This preparatory step creates essential operational redundancy, minimizing risk throughout subsequent migration phases. Key activities during this phase include:

• Installing BASE24-eps alongside existing Base24 systems
• Configuring basic authorization rules
• Testing authorization flows in parallel
• Validating transaction responses match between systems
• Establishing monitoring for both environments

Base24 has been the backbone of payment processing for many financial institutions for decades. This coexistence phase allows banks to gradually build confidence in the new system while maintaining the reliability of their existing infrastructure. The authorization engine in BASE24-eps must be carefully configured to match the behavior of the existing Base 24 system, ensuring consistent transaction processing during the migration period.

Step 1: Switch Implementation {#step-1}

Base24 payment switch : “Implementing the Base24 Payment Switch”

Once authorization coexistence is established, attention shifts to implementing the new switching infrastructure. This critical phase involves building the BASE24-eps routing engine and configuring its flexible routing structure. The Base24 payment switch handles routing of transactions between different channels and networks.

The system decouples issuer determination from routing logic, allowing different transaction sources to route differently based on source and destination profiles. Throughout this phase, banks create routing profiles based on:

• Transaction types
• Consumer authentication methods
• Account types
• Channel sources
• Destination endpoints

Optimizing your Base24 payment switch can significantly improve transaction processing times. This phase requires careful configuration and testing to ensure all transaction flows work correctly before proceeding to the next phase. The BASE24-eps configuration process involves setting up source routing profiles and destination routing rules to handle various transaction scenarios efficiently.

Step 2: Issuing System Migration {#step-2}

After switch implementation, the issuing functionality migration begins. This phase transfers card issuance capabilities to BASE24-eps, enabling the system to process transactions for bank-issued cards. The migration team must carefully configure authorization scripts for each transaction type and channel.

These scripts orchestrate the authorization logic, with shared functions written as sub-scripts that can be reused across different transaction scenarios. Key activities during this phase include:

• Configuring issuer profiles
• Setting up card management functions
• Establishing authorization rules
• Testing issuer-side transaction flows
• Validating cardholder experience

Proper testing ensures all issuing functions perform correctly before proceeding to the next phase. This typically involves running parallel processing for a subset of transactions to verify results match between systems. The BASE24-eps system includes advanced features for card prefix lookup and stand-in authorization, which must be properly configured to handle various issuing scenarios.

Step 3: Acquiring System Migration {#step-3}

Base24 ATM : “Migrating Base24 ATM and Acquiring Systems”

The third phase focuses on migrating acquiring functionality – the ability to process transactions from merchants and ATMs. This step requires configuring acquirer processing rules, terminal management capabilities, and merchant settlement parameters. Testing Base24 ATM functionality thoroughly is essential before final cutover.

Effectively, this phase completes the transaction processing circle, enabling BASE24-eps to handle both sides of payment processing. Many institutions run both systems in parallel during this phase, gradually shifting transaction volume to verify stability.

Key activities during this phase include:

• Configuring acquirer profiles
• Setting up terminal management
• Establishing merchant parameters
• Testing acquiring-side transaction flows
• Validating merchant and ATM experiences

Base24 ATM networks require special consideration during migration planning. This phase must ensure all ATM functionality works correctly, including cash dispensing, deposits, balance inquiries, and other services. The BASE24-ATM module within the BASE24-eps system provides specialized features for managing ATM networks, including support for advanced ATM functionalities and integration with various ATM hardware providers.

Step 4: Final Cutover {#step-4}

The final phase involves complete transition to BASE24-eps and decommissioning of legacy systems. Before final cutover, comprehensive testing confirms all functionalities work correctly. Afterward, transaction monitoring ensures continued performance under real-world conditions.

Only upon verification of stable operations should banks decommission legacy systems, typically maintaining them in standby mode temporarily as a fallback option. Key activities during this phase include:

• Final parallel testing
• Cutover planning and scheduling
• Stakeholder communication
• Execution of cutover procedures
• Post-cutover monitoring and support

For maximum effectiveness, this migration approach prioritizes transparency – ensuring the transition remains invisible to cardholders, merchants, card associations, financial institutions, and branch staff. Moreover, this phased strategy minimizes disruption to system users while allowing banks to incrementally realize new business benefits from their BASE24-eps investment.

Hidden Technical Challenges {#challenges}

Behind every BASE24-eps migration lie several technical hurdles that often remain invisible until implementation begins. These challenges can extend timelines, increase costs, and potentially compromise system integrity if not addressed proactively.

Data Transformation Complexities {#data-transformation}

Base24 eps : “Data Transformation Challenges in BASE24-eps Migration”

Data inconsistencies between legacy Base24 and BASE24-eps versions constitute a primary migration challenge. Banks must implement comprehensive data transformation processes when migrating production data between systems. This transformation requirement necessitates specialized user exits within replication software to ensure data integrity across environments.

The modular architecture of BASE24-eps allows for greater flexibility in payment processing, but it also introduces data structure differences that must be carefully managed. Without proper transformation, critical financial data may become corrupted or misinterpreted in the new system, leading to transaction failures or reconciliation issues.

Common data transformation challenges include:

• Field format differences between systems
• Character encoding inconsistencies
• Date and time format variations
• Currency representation differences
• Transaction code mapping complexities

Addressing these challenges requires detailed mapping documents and transformation rules, along with extensive testing to validate data integrity. The electronic data interchange (EDI) capabilities of BASE24-eps must be carefully configured to ensure seamless communication with external systems and partners during and after the migration process.

Audited vs. Unaudited File Handling {#file-handling}

Base24 Classic typically utilizes unaudited Enscribe files, yet modern replication tools like HPE Shadowbase require Transaction Monitoring Facility (TMF) audited files. This fundamental difference creates a significant technical obstacle.

Financial institutions must accordingly implement AutoTMF, which monitors database activity and bundles data changes into NonStop TMF transactions without requiring code modifications. AutoTMF supports structured audited Enscribe files including:

• Key-sequenced files
• Entry-sequenced files
• Relative files
• Queue files

However, there are certain limitations for edit or object files. The software intercepts all Enscribe I/O procedure calls, generating automatic transactions for audited files whenever necessary.

This technical challenge often goes unaddressed until late in the migration process, causing unexpected delays and complications. Proper planning for file handling differences is essential for successful migration.

Cryptographic Key Management {#key-management}

Base24 eps : “Cryptographic Key Management in BASE24-eps”

On z/OS environments, cryptographic key management presents unique challenges. The Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) offloads expensive cryptographic operations to dedicated processors. Yet although ICSF works effectively with symmetric and asymmetric keys, it lacks certain functions—specifically:

• Batch programs to export/import keys
• Utilities to securely generate shared keys across disconnected systems

This limitation complicates secure key distribution throughout the BASE24-eps environment. Banks must develop custom solutions or utilize third-party tools to address these gaps.

BASE24-eps offers significant improvements in transaction processing efficiency and security, but proper key management is essential for maintaining this security. Implementing a robust key management solution is critical for successful migration. 

The BASE24-eps system includes advanced features for managing cryptographic keys, including support for hardware security modules (HSMs) and key rotation policies. These capabilities must be carefully configured to ensure compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements.

Message Format Gaps {#message-format}

Base24 payment switch : “Message Format Challenges in Base24 Payment Switch Migration”

BASE24-eps migration complexity increases substantially based on several factors—whether the financial institution supports both issuing and acquiring services, the number of countries supported, and the types of interfaces implemented. Each supported country amplifies compliance complexity due to local regulations and standards.

The Base24 payment switch handles routing of transactions between different channels and networks, but message format differences can create significant challenges. Interfaces with country-specific message formats may require extensive customization to ensure proper processing within BASE24-eps.

Common message format challenges include:

• ISO8583 version differences
• Field mapping variations
• Country-specific extensions
• Network-specific requirements
• Character set and encoding issues

Addressing these challenges requires detailed interface specifications and extensive testing with each connected system. The BASE24-eps system includes a flexible message mapping engine that can be configured to handle various message formats, including support for the Visa network interface and other card scheme protocols.

Performance and Latency Issues {#performance}

Financial institutions increasingly leverage cloud-based hardware security modules (HSMs) during migrations. Nevertheless, these cloud HSMs can introduce significant latency issues—particularly AWS Cloud HSM’s newer hsm2m.medium instance type. This hardware specifically shows increased authentication latency when multiple clients authenticate simultaneously.

For transaction processing systems with strict performance requirements, these latency issues can severely impact overall system performance and customer experience. Banks must carefully evaluate HSM options and conduct thorough performance testing before making final architecture decisions.

Other performance considerations include:

• Network latency between components
• Database response times
• Transaction routing efficiency
• Hardware sizing and capacity
• Peak load handling capabilities

Addressing these performance challenges requires careful architecture planning and thorough testing under realistic load conditions. The BASE24-eps system includes advanced performance monitoring and tuning capabilities, allowing banks to optimize their payment engine for maximum efficiency and throughput.

Technical Implementation Steps {#implementation}

Successful BASE24-eps migration requires detailed technical implementation planning. This section provides practical guidance for key implementation steps.

Configuration File Setup {#configuration}

BASE24-eps requires specific configuration files to properly integrate with existing systems. Here’s a sample configuration for ATM channel integration:

<ATMChannel>
  <Terminal id=”ATM001″>
    <ConnectionType>TCP/IP</ConnectionType>
    <ProtocolType>IFX</ProtocolType>
    <IPAddress>192.168.1.100</IPAddress>
    <Port>1234</Port>
    <Timeout>30</Timeout>
    <RetryCount>3</RetryCount>
  </Terminal>
</ATMChannel>

This configuration defines the connection parameters for an ATM terminal, including protocol type, network settings, and timeout values. Similar configurations are required for all connected terminals and interfaces.

For routing configuration, BASE24-eps uses a flexible rule-based approach:

<RoutingRule id=”VISA_DEBIT”>
  <Condition>
    <CardType>VISA</CardType>
    <TransactionType>PURCHASE</TransactionType>
  </Condition>
  <Route>VISA_NETWORK</Route>
  <Failover>BACKUP_NETWORK</Failover>
</RoutingRule>

These routing rules determine how transactions are directed based on card type, transaction type, and other parameters. Proper configuration of these rules is essential for effective transaction processing. The BASE24-eps configuration process also includes setting up source routing profiles and destination routing rules to handle various transaction scenarios efficiently.

Database Configuration {#database}

Base24 eps : “BASE24-eps Database Configuration Best Practices”

Database configuration is critical for BASE24-eps performance and reliability. The system supports various database platforms, each with specific configuration requirements. For z/OS environments using DB2, consider these essential settings:— Buffer pool configuration
ALTER BUFFERPOOL BP0
  VPSIZE 20000
  PGFIX YES;

— Tablespace configuration
CREATE TABLESPACE TSPACE1
  IN DATABASE BASEDB
  USING STOGROUP BASESG
  PRIQTY 500000
  SECQTY 100000
  LOCKSIZE PAGE
  SEGSIZE 64;

— Index configuration
CREATE INDEX IDX_CARDNUM
  ON CARD_TABLE(CARD_NUMBER)
  CLUSTER
  PCTFREE 10
  USING STOGROUP BASESG
  PRIQTY 50000
  SECQTY 10000;

For optimal performance, consider these database configuration best practices:

• Allocate sufficient buffer pools to minimize physical I/O
• Use appropriate page sizes based on typical record sizes
• Configure proper locking strategies to balance concurrency and performance
• Implement partitioning for large tables to improve maintenance and queries
• Create appropriate indexes based on transaction patterns

Regular database maintenance is essential for sustained performance. Implement automated statistics collection, reorganization, and backup processes to maintain optimal database health. The BASE24-eps system includes tools for monitoring database performance and optimizing query execution plans to ensure efficient transaction processing.

Integration Testing {#testing}

Base24 ATM : “Base24 ATM Integration Testing Methodology”

Thorough integration testing is critical for successful BASE24-eps implementation. Testing should cover all transaction types, interfaces, and business scenarios. For Base24 ATM testing, create a comprehensive test plan covering:

• Basic ATM functions (withdrawals, deposits, balance inquiries)
• Error scenarios (insufficient funds, invalid PINs)
• Card management functions (activation, blocking)
• Terminal management capabilities
• Failover and recovery scenarios

Effective testing requires a well-designed testing environment that closely mimics production. Consider these testing approach components:

• Simulator-based testing: Use ATM and POS simulators to generate test transactions
• Message-based testing: Test message formats and handling for various networks
• End-to-end testing: Verify complete transaction flows from initiation to settlement
• Performance testing: Validate system performance under expected and peak loads
• Failover testing: Confirm system resilience during component failures

Implement automated regression testing to efficiently verify system functionality after configuration changes. This approach ensures continued system integrity throughout the implementation process. The BASE24-eps system includes built-in testing tools and simulators to facilitate comprehensive integration testing across various channels and transaction types.

Performance Tuning {#tuning}

Base24 payment switch : “Performance Tuning for Base24 Payment Switch Systems”

Performance tuning is essential for meeting transaction processing requirements. BASE24-eps performance depends on various factors including hardware, software configuration, and transaction patterns.

Key performance tuning areas include:

• Transaction routing optimization: Configure efficient routing rules to minimize processing time
• Database performance: Optimize indexes, buffer pools, and query patterns
• Network configuration: Minimize latency and ensure sufficient bandwidth
• Cryptographic operations: Balance security and performance for key management
• Messaging system tuning: Optimize queue depths and processing threads

Monitor system performance using dedicated tools that track:

• Transaction response times
• CPU utilization
• Memory usage
• Disk I/O patterns
• Network performance

Establish baseline performance metrics during testing and regularly compare production performance against these baselines. Implement proactive performance monitoring and tuning to maintain optimal system performance as transaction volumes grow. The BASE24-eps system includes advanced performance monitoring and tuning capabilities, allowing banks to optimize their payment engine for maximum efficiency and throughput.

Case Study: Smart Bank Implementation {#case-study}

Smart Bank’s successful migration to BASE24-eps offers valuable insights into overcoming complex payment system transitions. This case demonstrates how proper planning and innovative technology choices create seamless migration pathways.

Initial Environment Assessment {#assessment}

Base24 : “Base24 Environment Assessment for Migration Planning”

Smart Bank began their BASE24-eps journey with a comprehensive assessment of their existing Base24 environment. This thorough evaluation included:

• Transaction volume analysis  Peak transaction rates of nearly 2 million ATM/POS transactions per hour
• Average daily transaction volume of 20 million transactions
• Growth projections for the next five years

Current system architecture review

• Multiple Tandem NonStop systems in active-passive configuration
• IBM mainframe for backend processing
• Over 15,000 ATMs and 200,000 POS terminals connected
• Integration with 12 different card networks

Performance and availability requirements

• 99.999% uptime requirement (less than 5 minutes downtime per year)
• Sub-second response time for all transaction types
• Zero data loss tolerance

The bank implemented a virtual showcase that simulated a live banking payments operating environment. This IBM SmartBank Showcase, running at IBM Executive Briefing Centers, served as a testing ground. The showcase environment replicated real-life banking operations with workloads generated by actual banking applications, creating a mirror image of day-to-day challenges.

This thorough pre-migration testing allowed the bank to identify potential issues early, especially regarding transaction volume handling, as the system needed to process almost 2 million ATM/POS transactions per hour at peak times.

Zero Downtime Migration Approach {#zero-downtime}

Base24 eps : “BASE24-eps Zero Downtime Migration Strategy”

Central to Smart Bank’s migration strategy was HPE Shadowbase Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) software, which eliminated planned downtime throughout the migration process. The bank established tri-directional replication between datacenters, allowing the new database to synchronize with existing systems while maintaining uninterrupted operations.

This innovative approach achieved several crucial objectives:

• Database synchronization: Brought the new database into synchronization with databases to be replaced while existing systems remained online
• Incremental user migration: Enabled gradual migration of users and services to the new system
• Continuous availability: Maintained required availability levels during the transition
• Risk mitigation: Allowed easy fallback to the original system if issues were encountered

The migration followed these key phases:

• Preparation: Setting up the new BASE24-eps environment while keeping the existing Base24 system fully operational
• Replication setup: Implementing Shadowbase replication between old and new systems
• Data synchronization: Bringing the new database in sync with the production database
• Parallel processing: Running both systems in parallel with continuous data synchronization
• Incremental migration: Gradually moving user groups and services to the new system
• Final cutover: Completing the migration once all services were verified on the new platform

Throughout the migration, Smart Bank maintained continuous application service availability by adding a third node into the active/active application network. While one node underwent migration, two nodes actively performed application processing, providing disaster protection against unplanned outages.

Results and Lessons Learned {#results}

Base24 payment switch : “Base24 Payment Switch Migration Results and Best Practices”

Smart Bank’s migration revealed several valuable insights for institutions planning their own BASE24-eps implementations. The bank achieved remarkable results through their carefully planned approach:

• Minimal downtime: The maximum outage period experienced by any user was just four minutes, solely due to request queue draining and network router switching
• Performance improvements: The new system delivered 30% faster transaction processing times compared to the legacy system
• Increased capacity: Processing capacity increased by 50% without additional hardware
• Cost reduction: Operating costs decreased by approximately 40% over three years
• Enhanced capabilities: New features enabled rapid deployment of mobile payment options and enhanced fraud detection

Key lessons learned from Smart Bank’s implementation include:

• Incremental migration is essential: Users from different regions were gradually moved to the new datacenter while others continued being serviced by existing systems, minimizing risk and allowing issues to be addressed with limited impact
• Maintain parallel active systems: Keeping parallel active systems throughout migration created reliable fallback options
• Extensive testing is critical: Thorough testing under realistic load conditions identified issues before they affected production
• Data transformation requires special attention: Custom data transformation rules were needed to handle differences between systems
• Staff training is vital: Early staff training ensured smooth operation of the new system

Smart Bank implemented regular failover testing as an essential component of its migration strategy. These tests brought backup systems into full service, ensuring 100% confidence in recovery capabilities. This approach built confidence in the new system while maintaining the safety net of the existing infrastructure.

Conclusion and Next Steps {#conclusion}

BASE24-eps migrations represent a significant technological leap for financial institutions rather than merely an upgrade. Throughout this guide, we examined the multifaceted challenges banks face when transitioning from legacy systems to modern payment infrastructures. Although vendors often present these migrations as straightforward, the reality includes complex data transformation requirements, cryptographic key management issues, and message format discrepancies that demand careful planning.

Smart Bank’s case study demonstrates how proper preparation and strategic implementation can minimize disruption. Their success hinged on thorough pre-migration testing, innovative replication solutions, and failover validation—elements any financial institution should prioritize. Banks must acknowledge these hidden complexities before embarking on migration journeys.

The phased approach outlined offers a practical roadmap for banks undertaking this transition. Starting with mainframe authorization coexistence, then progressing through switch implementation, issuing and acquiring system migration, before final cutover allows institutions to maintain operational continuity while gradually implementing new capabilities.

Next Steps for Your BASE24-eps Migration

Base24 : “Moving From Base24 to BASE24-eps: Next Steps”

If you’re considering a migration from Base24 to BASE24-eps, these essential next steps will help you prepare:

• Conduct a comprehensive system assessment: Evaluate your current environment, transaction volumes, and future requirements
• Define clear migration objectives: Establish specific goals for performance, availability, and new capabilities
• Build a detailed migration roadmap: Create a phased approach tailored to your specific environment
• Assemble a dedicated migration team: Include experts in both legacy and new systems, as well as business stakeholders
• Develop a comprehensive testing strategy: Plan for thorough testing throughout the migration process
• Create a detailed fallback plan: Ensure you can quickly revert to the original system if necessary

Base24 payment switch : “Optimizing Your Base24 Payment Switch Migration”

Financial benefits certainly justify migration efforts despite technical challenges. Reduced operational costs through platform consolidation, improved regulatory compliance, and enhanced support for emerging payment technologies position banks competitively in an evolving financial landscape. The flexibility of BASE24-eps’ architecture provides adaptability as payment methods continue evolving.

Banks that develop comprehensive migration blueprints addressing both visible and hidden obstacles ultimately achieve smoother transitions. Therefore, success depends not only on technical expertise but also on thorough planning that anticipates potential pitfalls across each migration phase. Financial institutions armed with this knowledge stand prepared to navigate this critical infrastructure transformation while maintaining the seamless payment experiences their customers expect.

About the Author {#author}

This comprehensive guide was prepared by Tigerworld Technologies’ BASE24-eps Implementation Team, led by our Senior Payment Systems Architect with over 15 years of experience implementing and migrating BASE24 systems across multiple platforms.

Our team has successfully completed BASE24-eps migrations for major financial institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia, delivering zero-downtime implementations even for the most complex banking environments. We bring deep expertise in all aspects of payment processing systems, including:

• BASE24 Classic and BASE24-eps architecture and implementation
• Payment switch design and optimization
• Card issuing and acquiring systems
• ATM and POS network management
• Integration with core banking systems
• Regulatory compliance and security

Tigerworld Technologies provides comprehensive BASE24 services including implementation, upgrade, migration, customization, integration, and monitoring management. Our proven methodology ensures successful migrations with minimal disruption to your business operations.

For more information on how Tigerworld Technologies can support your BASE24-eps migration journey, contact us today for a consultation. Our experts will assess your current environment and recommend the most effective approach for your specific needs.

Contact Information:

Website: www.tigerworldtech.com 

Email: info@tigerworldtech.com 

Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567