Modernizing critical applications and CI/CD for telecom operators

Recovering an application while ensuring service continuity requires a robust organization, agile methods, and reliable tooling. This project highlights Sofrecom’s expertise in application modernization and DevOps transformation for telecom operators, with a dual objective : stabilize the existing environment and accelerate functional evolution.

The approach combines controlled reversibility, code quality improvement, technical modernization, and deployment automation to deliver faster, safer, and more efficiently. At the core of the project, the transfer of ownership relies on a structured knowledge transfer, the integration of quality control tools, and a CI/CD pipeline based on containerization.

The teams manage corrective and evolutive maintenance within an agile framework, with short cycles, tracking indicators, and a clear prioritization of business value. The result: reliable releases, faster fixes, useful features, and a sustainable application base.

Client need: regain control of a critical application and modernize the CI/CD pipeline

To ensure uninterrupted service and accelerate value delivery, the project addressed three key needs: control recovery, software quality, and deployment industrialization.

• Business needs 

Sofrecom’s approach: agile governance, DevOps, and software quality

The approach is built on three complementary pillars: organizational agility, software quality, and DevOps industrialization. The transition unfolds in two phases: a managed reversibility phase, followed by structured corrective and evolutive maintenance.

Agile governance and transition management

• Kanban-based reversibility: structured handover with pull-based flow, transfer workshops, consolidated documentation, and an adaptable roadmap to ensure a transparent transition.
• Scrum-based delivery rhythm: corrective and evolutive maintenance organized into short sprints, with a prioritized backlog, regular demos, and continuous improvement retrospectives.
• Issue management: bug qualification, prioritization, and correction with strict deliverable control and systematic cross-validation.

Code quality and security

• Continuous auditing with Checkmarx and SonarQube: static code analysis, remediation of critical vulnerabilities, and ongoing quality tracking.
• Documentation and tooling: consolidation of technical references, harmonization of team practices, and smoother onboarding for new contributors.

Technical modernization and CI/CD automation

• Docker containerization: environment standardization through container images to improve deployment reliability and eliminate inconsistencies between environments.
• GitLab CI/CD pipeline: full automation of build, packaging, and deployment to accelerate production releases and secure corrective patches.
• Partner integration: connection of new stakeholders to retrieve real-time data and enrich business use cases.
• Functional enhancements: requirement gathering, design, and delivery of measurable improvements with controlled impact on the existing system.

Technology stack

• Java · jBPM · Struts · JPA · Log4j · MariaDB · JOnAS · Tomcat · Docker · GitLab CI/CD

Key benefits of application recovery and CI/CD modernization for telecom operators

• No service interruption during critical application recovery

Planned reversibility, structured knowledge transfer, and clear technical documentation helped ensure service continuity throughout the application recovery process. Teams quickly gained control over the application scope and tooling, reducing operational risk from the first phases of the project.

• Faster software delivery with CI/CD automation and Docker containerization

The implementation of a CI/CD pipeline and Docker containerization significantly reduced the time between development and production. Deployments became faster, more reliable, and more predictable, while corrective patches and application updates could be delivered with greater efficiency — a major advantage for telecom DevOps teams.

• Improved code quality and application security

By integrating Checkmarx and SonarQube, the project enabled continuous code analysis, vulnerability detection, and remediation of critical security issues. This approach significantly reduced technical debt, improved application stability, and lowered the risk of production incidents. Code deliverables are now cleaner, more maintainable, and easier to secure.

• A scalable platform ready for future application modernization

Existing features were improved, new capabilities were delivered, and business workflows were automated. Integration with new partners also opened access to real-time data, supporting faster decision-making and broader operational use cases. This creates a strong foundation for future application modernization initiatives.

• Stronger operational efficiency through agile DevOps practices

Clear roles, continuous prioritization, and agile delivery practices helped streamline collaboration and improve team efficiency. The combination of a robust governance model, modernized architecture, and embedded quality tools enhanced DevOps performance, delivery confidence, and long-term maintainability.

This project highlights Sofrecom’s expertise in application recovery, CI/CD modernization, DevOps transformation, and technical debt reduction for telecom operators. By combining service continuity, software quality, deployment automation, and application security, Sofrecom helps telecom organizations modernize critical systems and accelerate digital delivery with confidence.