International User Group (IUG) Konferenz 2026
16.-18. Juni | München
Event Recap
More than 150 customers, partners, and experts from around the world came together in Munich for IUG Conference 2026.
Over two days, attendees enjoyed inspiring sessions, bold ideas, and real-world success stories that demonstrated what’s possible when technology and people come together. A special thank you to all the customers who took the stage and openly shared their experiences, challenges, and achievements with the global IUG community. Your insights and willingness to exchange knowledge made this event truly special.
From technical deep-dives and product innovation updates to forward-looking discussions on the future of Adabas & Natural, IUG 2026 was a powerful reminder that innovation thrives through collaboration, shared experiences, and strong communities.
Explore the photo gallery and presentation slides below to relive the highlights of the event.
Check out impressions from the 2026 event 👆
Agenda
* Please note that agenda is subject to change.
Dienstag, 16. Juni
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9.00-12.00: DACH User Group Meetup
📍Room “München”
German-speaking customers only: Start IUG by meeting peers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Get the latest regional updates, hear local customer stories and exchange practical insights in a focused, collaborative setting. Connect with your DACH community and grow your network before the conference begins.
12.00 – 1.00 pm: Lunch
📍Hotel Restaurant
1.00 – 5.00 pm: Innovation Labs
Our Innovation Labs give you exclusive hands-on access to future versions before release. Guided by an expert, you can explore new features, test cutting-edge functionality, and share your feedback directly with product development.
Please note that separate registration was required, and all registered participants have received a confirmation email and calendar invite with their individual pre-conference schedule.
Innovation Labs Track 1
📍Room “Darmstadt”
- 1.00 – 1.45 pm: Try the Natural AI Code Assist (Round 1)
- 2.00 – 2.45 pm: Try the Natural AI Code Assist (Round 2)
- 3.15 – 4.00 pm: Unlock Adabas data for AI with CONNX
- 4.15 – 5.00 pm: Natural Messaging in action on z/OS
Innovation Labs Track 2
📍Room “Mannheim”
- 1.00 – 1.45 pm: Experience the future of Natural powered by OpenAPI (Round 1)
- 2.00 – 2.45 pm: Experience the future of Natural powered by OpenAPI (Round 1)
- 3.15 – 4.00 pm: Hands-on Natural development in Visual Studio Code (Round 1)
- 4.15 – 5.00 pm: Hands-on Natural development in Visual Studio Code (Round 2)
1.00 – 5.30 pm: Product Training
Boost your skills with our free product training sessions. Led by experts, these training workshops help you master our software, discover best practices, and deepen your knowledge.
Please note that separate registration was required, and all registered participants have received a confirmation email and calendar invite with their individual pre-conference schedule.
Produkt-Training
📍Room “Würzburg” / Level -2
- 1.00 – 2.30 pm: Unlocking the Cloud Potential of Adabas & Natural
- 3.00 – 4.00 pm: Leverage Container and Kubernetes for Adabas & Natural
- 4.15 – 5.30 pm: Natural and DevOps
5.00 – 7.00 pm: Welcome Reception
📍Foyer on Level -1
Kick off the conference by checking in, picking up your badge, and settling in. Meet fellow attendees, connect with experts, and start the conversation in a relaxed networking atmosphere.
Mittwoch, 17. Juni
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9.00-9.20 am: Welcome
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
The conference opens with Jesper Orland, President of the International User Group and Arno Theiss, General Manager Adabas & Natural, setting the direction for the days ahead. This session provides key updates from the community and leadership, along with a forward-looking perspective on priorities, innovations and what participants can expect throughout the event. A focused start designed to align the community and frame the conversations that will shape the conference.
Speakers:
- Arno Theiss, Software AG
- Jesper Orland, Adabas & Natural IUG President, Tryg
9.20-10.00 am: Driving enterprise innovation on IBM Z, Linux and Cloud
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Enterprises are accelerating digital transformation while continuing to rely on the strength, security, and Skalierbarkeit of IBM Z. The challenge is clear: how to innovate rapidly without disrupting mission-critical systems. See how Adabas & Natural products enable continuous innovation across IBM Z, Linux, and cloud environments by creating a unified hybrid architecture.
Speaker:
- Eli Cohen, Software AG
10.00-10.30 am: Bridging Generations: Discovering the past while preparing for the future with AI
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
The team of Husbanken reflects on the partnership with Software AG that dates back to the mid-1980s and outlines their plan for the future. Learn how Husbanken addresses organizational challenges and technical debt through structured upgrades, targeted code cleanup and systematic knowledge transfer in a demanding market environment. They also provide insights into how AI is used to support code analysis, comparisons, and automated documentation – bringing new efficiency and transparency to established systems.
Speakers:
- Johan Svartdal, Husbanken
- Lars-Erik Bjørk, Husbanken
- Kristoffer Jacobsen, Husbanken
10.30 – 11.00 am: Coffee break & Networking
📍Foyer on level -1
11.00 -11.30 am: From Natural to OpenAPI: Unlock API-driven integration
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Natural applications continue to run mission-critical workloads, but modern integration demands RESTful and OpenAPI-based interfaces. Learn how Natural API Server, a significant new capability for modern Natural integration uses a lightweight architecture to expose existing Natural subprograms as REST services without changing core business logic. We will review the runtime model, Bereitstellung an z/OS and Linux & Cloud, and key architectural considerations to implement Natural API Server.
Speaker:
- Luciano Pimenta, Software AG
11.30 am-12.00 pm: Transforming customer engagement with digital products at Motus
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Speakers:
- Derrick Meyer, Motus Car Rental
- Koketso Matjila, Motus Car Rental
12.00 am-12.30 pm: Make Adabas data ready for AI
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
AI is the topic number one in today’s IT. Your databases contain a vast amount of data and knowledge. This presentation will show you how to unlock AI Potential based on your existing database data. Model Context Protocol (MCP) Servers are the state-of-the-art means for AI agents to access knowledge. Learn how our MCP Server unlocks a vast variety of data sources: Adabas, Db2, IMS, OpenVMS and many more. Unlocking your data opens the door for plenty of AI use cases, including natural-language Q&A over your data, Ops & service copilots, anomaly / fraud signals using system-of-record transactions, as well as impact analysis & modernization support. Join us to transform your data for AI success: securely, pragmatically, and with a clear path forward.
Speakers:
- Jürgen Lind, Software AG
- Dr. Mohamed Abdelaal, Software AG
12.30 – 2.00 pm: Lunch
📍Hotel Restaurant
2.00-2.30 pm: DDD (Domain-driven design)—Not Dungeons & Dragons
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Modernizing legacy systems isn’t about starting over. It’s about building smarter on what already exists. Domain-Driven Design helps avoid costly rip-and-replace strategies, turning established platforms into foundations for modern, scalable solutions that accelerate productivity and support long-term evolution.
Speaker:
- Trentan Healey, Department of Home Affairs Australia
2.30 -3.00 pm: What is means to modernize: Lessons from a generational transition
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
At the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg, agricultural policy systems are truly mission-critical, operating in a highly regulated environment where availability is non-negotiable. The Ministry is transitioning these core systems to Linux while navigating both technological and organizational change. The session explores how generational change is actively managed to ensure knowledge transfer and operational continuity, and provides an outlook on future plans. A candid look at what it takes to modernize public-sector infrastructure built to last for decades, not just the next release cycle.
Speakers:
- Daniel Schnermann, Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg
3.00-3.30 pm: VA DMV Workforce Evolution: Connecting the generations
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Speakers:
- Stefan Yssel, Virginia DMV
- Winston Smith, Virginia DMV
3.30 – 4.00 pm: Coffee break & Networking
📍Foyer on level -1
4.00-4.30 pm: A resilient journey to Linux for HR Rail
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
This session outlines HR Rail’s phased evolution from to a resilient, DRP-compatible infrastructure on Linux. Starting with the transition in 2015, key milestones include infrastructure consolidation, major upgrades, and enhanced resilience through load balancing. Looking ahead, the session covers the next phase of DRP consolidation, including the implementation of Adabas Cluster and shared NFS workfiles, strengthening availability and ensuring operational continuity.
Speaker:
- Peter Verbeke, HR Rail
4.30-5.00 pm: Where markets never stop: Powering the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange with confidence
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
The securities back office application operates in real time, without pause and without compromise. Their on-premises application, running on Linux with Adabas & Natural, delivers the reliability and performance required in a constantly moving market environment. The session explores how the platform is implemented and continuously enhanced to support more dynamic, flexible, and ad-hoc business demands. From operational stability to rapid adaptability, this is a practical look at how mission-critical systems power one of the region’s key financial institutions every day.
Speakers:
- Uri Shavit, Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange
- Hezi Shirazi, Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange
5.00-5.15 pm: Wrap-up Day 1
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
6.30 pm – 12.30 am: Evening event
📍Meeting point: Hotel Lobby
Join us for our evening program on June 17 at the Max Emanuel Brewery in Munich. Shuttle buses will depart from in front of the Maritim Hotel lobby at 6.30 pm. Return shuttles to the Maritim Hotel will operate every 30 minutes between 10.00 pm and 12.30 am, ensuring a flexible and comfortable journey back after the event.
- Meet in Hotel Lobby of the Maritim Hotel around 6.15 pm for departure at 6.30 pm
- Bus shuttles back to the hotel every 30 minutes between 10.00 pm and 12.30 am
Donnerstag, 18. Juni
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Linux Adoption Breakout
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm”
9.00-9.30 am: Built on experience. Ready for tomorrow. Adabas Cluster on Linux at the Medical Center of Freiburg
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm”
Ulrich Lickert, Head of Systems Engineering at the Medical Center of the University of Freiburg, introduces the organization and shares its individual journey toward implementing Adabas Cluster on Linux. He outlines the motivations behind this step, the advantages of the upgrade, and the improvements achieved to remain competitive in a demanding environment. The session highlights how this evolution has strengthened the Medical Center’s foundation and positioned it well for the future, while offering insights drawn from hands-on experience.
Speakers:
- Ulrich Lickert, Medical Center – University of Freiburg
9.30-10.00 am: Modernizing core systems for higher capacity and multi-channel performance
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm”
Mobilize Financial Services – the financial arm of Renault Group (RCI Banque S.A.) – modernized its core business applications for France after having done it successfully on an application which operates across 35+ countries. Backed by a team of more than 70 Natural developers maintaining millions of lines of mission-critical code, the transformation focused on strengthening sustainability, resilience, and regulatory alignment, including DORA. The session highlights measurable results: a 4x increase in daily processing capacity, improved responsiveness and enhanced scalability across multiple user channels. A focused look at delivering performance gains while securing long-term stability in a demanding financial services environment.
Speaker:
- Jean-Claude Mercier, Mobilize Financial Services
10.00-10.30 am: Core Insurance Platform Modernization at Zurich Insurance
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm”
Core insurance systems are built to endure, yet they must continuously evolve. A business-critical insurance platform was transformed to meet modern performance, scalability and operational demands. The presentation outlines the strategic assessment that set the direction, contrasts the legacy architecture with the modernized solution and walks through the key challenges encountered along the way, as well as the measurable outcomes achieved and the practical lessons learned from delivering modernization at enterprise scale.
Speaker:
- Matthias Staubus, Zürich Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
IBM Z Breakout
📍Room “Nürnberg”
9.00-9.30 am: Modernization without compromise: Building a future-ready enterprise on IBM Z
📍Room “Nürnberg”
The question for IBM Z users is no longer if they should modernize, but how to do so while preserving the unmatched stability and security of the platform. This session examines common modernization pitfalls including large-scale replatforming risks, business logic loss and performance constraints in distributed environments and outlines a pragmatic approach to evolving core systems without disruption. We introduce JOPAZ, a low-risk strategy for on-platform modernization that protects existing code and critical workloads while enabling optimization and innovation. The session provides practical guidance for transforming trusted IBM Z environments into engines for sustainable growth.
Speakers:
- Verena van der Linde, Software AG
- Luciano Pimenta, Software AG
9.30-10.00 am: Extending the mainframe with Adabas Replication
📍Room “Nürnberg”
This presentation explores SEI’s journey modernizing data integration from Adabas to relational platforms. It begins with a brief overview of SEI and the evolution of its data extraction strategies. The session then focuses on SEI’s partnership with SAGA and collaborative contributions to the ARF Replication Facility. Finally, it examines SEI’s current deployment of ARF across multiple clients, sharing practical insights into operating reliable, scalable replication solutions in production environments.
Speaker:
- Linda Lyng, SEI
10.00-10.30 am: From one generation to the next: REHAU’s mission-critical Adabas & Natural Platform
📍Room “Nürnberg”
REHAU’s core business systems are built on Adabas & Natural running on IBM z/OS providing exceptional reliability, scalability, and a strong alignment with the company’s global business processes.In this session, REHAU shares how it ensures continuous, zero-downtime operations for mission-critical workloads while addressing the challenges of generational change in proven IT environments. Together with SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH and Software AG, the platform is continuously evolving to meet new business and organizational requirements without compromising stability or performance. The presentation provides insights how REHAU balances operational excellence with long-term modernization, leveraging strong partnerships and a proven technology foundation to bridge the gap between legacy and future-ready IT.
Speakers:
- Florian Franz, REHAU Industrial Solutions SE & Co. KG
- Tobias Kluge, REHAU Industries SE
- Torsten Lennon-Gutenberger, System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH
10.30 – 11.00 am: Coffee break & Networking
📍Foyer on level -1
11.00-11.30 am: New horizons for Migdal Insurance: Adabas & Natural on modern Linux
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Speaker:
- Boaz Nachshony, Migdal Insurance
11.30 am-12.00 pm: Modernizing large-scale operations with governance and efficiency in Adabas at Serpro
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
Speaker:
- Sandro Rogerio Benelli Ninin, Serpro
12.00-12.15 pm: Closing remarks & questions
📍Room “Stuttgart, Ulm, Nürnberg”
This final session reflects on the key themes, insights, and discussions that shaped the conference, while addressing open questions from the community.
12.15 – 1.30 pm: Farewell Lunch
📍Hotel Restaurant
Speakers
Arno Theiss
Software AG
Jesper Orland
Tryg
Eli Cohen
Software AG
Lars-Erik Moen Bjørk
Husbanken
Kristoffer Jacobsen
Husbanken
Johan Svartdal
Husbanken
Trentan Healey
Department of Home Affairs Australia
Luciano Pimenta
Software AG
Run Asulin
Bank Leumi
Mohamed Abdelaal
Software AG
Jürgen Lind
Software AG
Uri Shavit
Börse Tel Aviv
Hezi Shirazi
TASE
Stefan Yssel
Virginia DMV
Winston Smith
Virginia DMV
Jean-Claude Mercier
Mobilize Financial Services
Verena van der Linde
Software AG
Linda Lyng
SEI
Florian Franz
REHAU Industrial Solutions
Tobias Kluge
REHAU Industrial Solutions
Torsten Lennon-Gutenberger
System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH
Daniel Schnermann
Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Wörttemberg
Ulrich Lickert
Medical Center – University of Freiburg
Matthias Staubus
Zürich Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
Boaz Nachshony
Migdal insurance
Das erwartet Sie
Innovation Labs
Unsere Innovation Labs bieten Ihnen exklusiven praxisnahen Zugang zu zukünftigen Produktversionen – noch vor deren offizieller Veröffentlichung. Unter Anleitung eines Experten können Sie neue Funktionen kennenlernen, innovative Features testen und Ihr Feedback direkt an die Produktentwicklung weitergeben.
Nehmen Sie an den folgenden Labs teil und gestalten Sie mit Ihren Erkenntnissen die Zukunft unserer Produkte aktiv mit:
Natural AI Code Assist ausprobieren
Praxisnahe Natural-Entwicklung mit Visual Studio Code
Die Zukunft von Natural erleben – unterstützt durch OpenAPI
Unlock Adabas data for AI with CONNX
Natural Messaging auf z/OS in Aktion erleben
Produkt-Training
Vertiefen Sie Ihr Wissen in unseren kostenlosen Produktschulungen. Diese von Experten geleiteten Trainingsworkshops helfen Ihnen dabei, unsere Software sicher zu beherrschen, bewährte Methoden kennenzulernen und Ihr Fachwissen auszubauen. Nehmen Sie an den folgenden Produktschulungen teil, um zu lernen, praktisch zu üben und das volle Potenzial unserer Technologie auszuschöpfen:
Natural and DevOps
Ihr Weg in die Cloud mit Adabas & Natural
Adabas & Natural: Cloud-Native und bereit für Container-Technologien
Experten treffen
Die IUG Conference ist groß genug, um vielfältige Networking-Möglichkeiten zu bieten – und gleichzeitig klein genug, um den persönlichen Austausch mit unseren Expertinnen, Experten und Partnern zu ermöglichen. Alle stehen Ihnen vor Ort für Ihre Fragen zur Verfügung. Sie können individuelle Gespräche zu technischen und konzeptionellen Themen, Branchentrends oder spezifischen Produktanfragen vereinbaren.
Stellen Sie uns Ihre schwierigsten Fragen – gemeinsam finden wir die Lösungen!
Ein Erlebnis, das begeistert
Freuen Sie sich auf eine lebendige Konferenz voller wertvoller Inhalte. Praktische Tipps und Unterstützung werden durch konkrete Erfahrungsberichte Ihrer Kolleginnen und Kollegen greifbar. Erhalten Sie exklusive Einblicke hinter die Kulissen kommender Produkt-Updates und neuer Funktionen. Genießen Sie Live-Demos, Podiumsdiskussionen und Breakout-Sessions – gemeinsam mit Teilnehmenden aus aller Welt.
Erweitern Sie Ihr Netzwerk
Genug von Online-Meetings? Dann treffen Sie Menschen endlich wieder persönlich auf unserer diesjährigen Konferenz. Freuen Sie sich auf direkte Gespräche mit den klügsten Köpfen der Community. Bilden Sie spontane Gruppen für kreatives Brainstorming. Lernen Sie andere Anwenderinnen und Anwender, Adabas-&-Natural-Expertinnen und -Experten sowie unsere Partner kennen. Und lassen Sie den Austausch bei unserem spannenden Abendprogramm einfach weitergehen - bis tief in die Nacht.
München Highlights
Was München zu bieten hat
- Einfach zu erreichen: München ist mit mehr als 232 Zielen in 68 Ländern verbunden.
- Easy to get around with excellent public transport infrastructure and short distances
- Als Deutschlands führendes Technologie- und Wirtschaftszentrum bietet München eine inspirierende Umgebung für Networking, Lernen und Zusammenarbeit.
- Von historischen Sehenswürdigkeiten und erstklassigen Museen bis hin zu lebhaften Biergärten und Alpenpanorama: München vereint bayerischen Charme mit weltstädtischem Flair.
Begründungsschreiben
Für die Teilnahme an der IUG Conference fällt keine Gebühr an. Dennoch wissen wir, dass bei einer Veranstaltung vor Ort weitere Kosten entstehen können – etwa für Reise und Unterkunft. Wenn Sie Unterstützung dabei brauchen, den Nutzen der Teilnahme darzulegen, haben wir ein Begründungsschreiben für Sie vorbereitet. Ergänzen Sie einfach Ihre persönlichen Angaben und fügen Sie es Ihrem Reiseantrag bei.
Unser Konferenzort
Das Maritim Hotel München könnte zentraler kaum liegen: Direkt am Hauptbahnhof und dennoch ruhig im Innenhof gelegen, ist es der perfekte Ort für alle, die München aus nächster Nähe erleben möchten.
Unterbringung
Sie können unseren Sondertarif im Konferenzhotel, dem Maritim Hotel München, nutzen. Buchen Sie frühzeitig - „first come, first served“! Oder wählen Sie eines der unten aufgeführten Hotels in der Nähe. Warten Sie jedoch nicht zu lange - die Zimmer sind schnell ausgebucht.
★★★★
Maritim Hotel Munich
- Unser Konferenzort
- Eventtarif: 145 € pro Nacht inkl. Frühstück
★★★★
25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian
- 4 Minuten Fußweg zum Konferenzort
- Preisrate: €€€
★★★★
NH Collection Munich Bavaria
- 6 Minuten Fußweg zum Konferenzort
- Preisrate: €€
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Sehen Sie sich unten unsere häufig gestellten Fragen an. Wenn Sie darüber hinaus weitere Fragen haben, schreiben Sie an iug@softwareag.com
Wer sollte an der International User Groups Conference teilnehmen?
Anyone who uses Adabas & Natural or CONNX will find value in the conference. All customers and partners of Software AG products are welcome to attend.
Wie ist die Woche strukturiert?
As you can see in the “agenda” section, the main conference will start with a Welcome Reception for all attendees on the late afternoon of June 16.
Before the Welcome Reception on June 16, we offer two additional pre-conference programs that require separate registration: Produkt-Training sowie Innvoation Labs.
The conference continues with our main user group track full day on June 17 and in the morning of June 18. We will end the conference with a farewell lunch on June 18.
Wie viel kostet die Konferenz?
The conference attendance is free of charge. If you travel to the event, you’re responsible for your transportation, accommodation and other travel costs.
Gibt es eine Begrenzung der Anzahl an Teilnehmenden?
Yes, we are holding a limited number of seats for the in-person event. So, register early and please be sure all your participants register so we can capture exact numbers.
Wo findet die Veranstaltung statt?
Die Adabas & Natural IUG Conference 2026 findet im Maritim Hotel München in München, Deutschland, statt.
Die Adresse des Hotels lautet wie folgt:
Maritim Hotel München
Goethestraße 7
80336 München
Was ist, wenn ich meine Pläne ändern muss?
Wir gestalten die Veranstaltung so flexibel wie möglich. Wenn Sie sich einen Platz für das Präsenz-Event gesichert haben, aber doch nicht reisen können, können Sie Ihre Teilnahme einfach stornieren – ohne Angabe von Gründen. Für Stornierungen oder Änderungen senden Sie bitte eine E-Mail an iug@softwareag.com.
Wie lautet der Dresscode für die Konferenz?
Hauptkonferenz: Business Casual. Abendveranstaltungen: Casual.
Benötige ich ein Visum für die Einreise nach Deutschland?
Ob Sie für die Reise nach Deutschland ein Visum benötigen, hängt von Ihrem Herkunftsland ab.
Besuchen Sie die Website des deutschen Einwanderungsdienstes, um mehr über Ihre persönlichen Einreisevoraussetzungen zu erfahren.
For further detailed information on Germany visas, please visit www.germany-visa.org
Ich benötige ein Einladungsschreiben für mein Visum. Wie kann ich eines erhalten?
Bitte senden Sie eine E-Mail mit Ihren Passdaten an iug@softwareag.com.
Gibt es Sponsoring-Möglichkeiten?
Partners who sponsor the IUG Conference have the unique opportunity to showcase their solutions and get to know our customers better. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email iug@softwareag.com for details.