Core Strand Consulting
Checklist-led programming consulting for teams untangling COBOL, monoliths, and batch jobs—without betting the release on guesswork.
What we take on
Core Strand Consulting works on project-based engagements: code archaeology on legacy modules, interface mapping, risk-ranked refactor plans, and hands-on implementation support when your team needs a senior pair of eyes.
We do not sell subscription platforms or fixed “transformation packages.” Scope, deliverables, and fees are agreed individually before work starts.
Before you rewrite a line
Legacy modernization fails when teams skip inventory. We document entry points, data contracts, and operational schedules so you know which components actually earn their keep.
Technical assessments include dependency graphs, test-gap notes, and a written recommendation: stabilize in place, strangle with adapters, or replatform in phases.
Review service linesEngagement checklist
Scope interview
We capture runtime constraints, compliance triggers, and the systems your ops team refuses to touch without a runbook.
Code and data reconnaissance
Read-only access to repositories, job schedulers, and integration logs; findings stay in your environment unless you ask for a redacted export.
Written assessment
Prioritized risks, modernization options with trade-offs, and effort ranges—no fabricated velocity metrics.
Implementation support (optional)
Paired programming, review gates, and cutover rehearsals when you retain delivery ownership.
Signals your legacy layer needs a plan
Batch windows keep shrinking
Nightly jobs that once finished at 2 a.m. now collide with upstream feeds. We trace file formats and locking behavior before proposing parallel runs or idempotent retries.
Knowledge walks out the door
When only one engineer understands the settlement module, we capture decision records and safe edit surfaces so hiring or outsourcing does not stall releases.
Fit checklist
- You maintain business-critical code older than your youngest developer.
- You need an independent technical opinion before signing a vendor SOW.
- Your team can implement but wants a modernization playbook with review checkpoints.
- You are not looking for a product license or managed hosting reseller.
Common questions
Do you take over our entire delivery team?
No. We advise and implement alongside your staff. Larger staff-augmentation arrangements are scoped separately if capacity is available.
Which languages do you work in?
Typical stacks include COBOL, Java EE monoliths, .NET Framework, Perl and shell glue, and stored-procedure-heavy databases. Tell us what you run; we confirm fit before quoting.
How are fees structured?
Fixed-fee assessments and time-and-materials implementation support are both available. Every quote references deliverables, not hourly estimates alone.