国際ユーザーグループ（IUG）カンファレンス2026
June 16-18 I Munich, Germany
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.
Tuesday, June 16
Click on the agenda items to reveal more details 👇
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.
Product 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.
Wednesday, June 17
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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 スケーラビリティ 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: NaturalからOpenAPIへ：APIを活用したシステム連携を実現
📍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 サーバー, 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, デプロイ オン 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
Thursday, June 18
Click on the agenda items to reveal more details 👇
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
トリグ
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
テルアビブ証券取引所
Hezi Shirazi
TASE
Stefan Yssel
Virginia DMV
Winston Smith
Virginia DMV
Jean-Claude Mercier
Mobilize Financial Services
フェレーナ・ヴァン・デル・リンデ
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
What to expect
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.
Join the following Labs and shape the future with your insights:
Try the Natural AI Code Assist
Hands-On Natural Development in Visual Studio Code
Experience the Future of Natural Powered by OpenAPI
Unlock Adabas data for AI with CONNX
Natural Messaging in Action on z/OS
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. Join the following Product Trainings to learn, practice, and get the most out of our technology:
Natural and DevOps
Your path to the Cloud with Adabas & Natural
Adabas & Natural: Cloud-Native, Container-Ready
Meet the experts
The IUG Conference is large enough to offer rich networking opportunities yet small enough for you to talk one-to-one with our experts and partners. And they’re all on hand to answer your questions. You can schedule one-to-ones concerning technical and design matters, industry trends and specific product enquiries.
Pose your toughest questions. Together we’ll find the solutions!
An engaging experience
Look forward to a vibrant conference offering heaps of valuable content. Expect practical tips and support brought to life through tangible case studies provided by your peers. Get a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming product updates and features. Enjoy live demos, panel discussions and breakouts with attendees from around the globe.
Grow your network
Tired of online meetings? Then connect with people in person at this year’s conference. Prepare for face-to-face talks with the best and brightest. Break out into impromptu groups for brainstorming. Meet peers, Adabas & Natural experts and partners. And let the conversation carry on into the night at our exciting evening function.
MUNICH HIGHLIGHTS
See what Munich has to offer
- Easy to get to: Munich is connected to more than 232 destinations in 68 countries
- Easy to get around with excellent public transport infrastructure and short distances
- As Germany’s leading tech and business center, Munich offers an inspiring environment for networking, learning, and collaboration.
- From historic landmarks and world-class museums to vibrant beer gardens and alpine views, Munich blends Bavarian charm with cosmopolitan flair
Justification letter
There’s no fee to participate in the IUG Conference, but we know there are other costs associated with attending an in-person event, such as travel and accommodation. If you need help making a case for the investment, we’ve prepared a justification letter you can use. Fill in the details specific to you and include it in your travel request.
Our conference venue
The Maritim Hotel Munich couldn’t be more central: right next to the railway station and yet quietly located in the inner courtyard it’s the perfect place for all those who want to experience Munich up close.
Accommodation
You can use our conference rate in the conference hotel Maritim Hotel München. Book early to save: first come, first served! Or choose another nearby hotel from the selection provided below. But don’t wait too long, they sell out quickly.
★★★★
Maritim Hotel Munich
- Our conference venue
- Event rate: 145€ per night incl. breakfast
★★★★
25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian
- 4 minute walk from conference venue
- Price range: €€€
★★★★
NH Collection Munich Bavaria
- 6 minute walk from conference venue
- Price range: €€
Frequently asked questions
Check out our list of frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, reach out to iug@softwareag.com! We’re here to help.
Who should attend the International User Groups Conference?
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.
How is the week structured?
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: Product Training そして 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.
How much does the conference cost?
The conference attendance is free of charge. If you travel to the event, you’re responsible for your transportation, accommodation and other travel costs.
Are we limited in the number of people who can attend?
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.
Where is the event taking place?
The Adabas & Natural IUG Conference 2026 will take place at the Maritim Hotel Munich in Munich, Germany.
The address of the hotel is as follows:
Maritim Hotel München
Goethestraße 7
80336 München
What if I need to change my plans?
We’re making the event as flexible as possible. If you’ve reserved a spot at the in-person event but are prevented from traveling, you can simply cancel it. No questions asked. For cancellation or modifications, please send an email to iug@softwareag.com.
What is the conference dress code?
Main conference: business casual. Evening events: casual.
Do I need a visa to enter Germany?
Whether you need a visa to travel to Germany depends on what country you’re from.
Visit the German Immigration Service website for more information regarding your personal requirements for travelling to Germany.
For further detailed information on Germany visas, please visit www.germany-visa.org
I need an invitation letter for my visa. How can I get one?
Please send an email including your passport details to iug@softwareag.com.
Are sponsorships available?
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.