IBM IMS Experts in Germany
matched in minutes from vetted, available specialists with the power of AI.Hire experts who work with IMS databases, transaction processing, and COBOL-based mainframe systems, and who can support modernization, stability fixes, and integration work. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used IBM IMS
Christian R
Last position:
Project Manager Outlook and Teams Rollout at BWI
- Gathering information
- Creating wave concepts for the rollout
- Coordinating employees
- Monitoring and steering measures
- Project management including analyses & reporting to the board
- Creating instructions and requirement specifications
- Training floorwalkers
- On-site rollout support
- VIP support
- Introducing SharePoint
Wolfgang Orgler
Last position:
Business Analyst at Österreichische Post AG
IT systems: Azure DevOps, SharePoint, Opal/Repost, JustinMind, Monday, SAP
Analysis of requirements for branch software
Coordination of intercultural teams
Partly agile project organization
Master data management / DMS
UI/UX design and mockup creation
Requirements documentation
Digitalization of signatures
Stakeholder management and workshop facilitation
Billing/bank transfer
Business analysis / requirements engineering
Birgit Stünkel
Last position:
Business Analysis, Requirements Engineer at BMW
Refinement of epics and user stories to achieve a higher degree of automation in CRM usage. Testing of new Discountsystem
Matthias Ottowski
Last position:
IT Project Manager at IT service provider
Implementation of anti-money laundering requirements in accordance with AMLA/KYC for an international large bank in Munich
Services provided:
- Clarification of the assignment, definition of the work package structure for the AMLA/KYC implementation project
- AI-supported project planning using my own AI workflow for project management
- Creation of the project management plan
- Resource and capacity planning
- Development of collaboration structures between IT service provider and bank client
- Alignment of responsibilities (RACI matrix)
- Management of 5 project members (core team)
- Project control, project monitoring, project reporting
- Communication management
- Escalation management
- Stakeholder management (11 stakeholders)
- Permanent member of the steering committee
- Project representation internally and externally
- Project reporting, management of decision-making bodies
- Project volume: 506 person-days (development effort)
- Risk management
- Quality management
- Organization and running of workshops
Methods: PMI PMBOK, EVM, GWG, DORA, BAIT, KANBAN, AML, AMLR, AMLA, GWG, KYC
IT environment: JIRA, Confluence, Sharepoint, Kantata Kimble, AI LLM Copilot, ChatGPT, anti-money laundering systems (in-house developments and SMARAGD)
Hans-Dieter Große-Kreul
Last position:
Training as an AI Expert
I continuously expand my expertise in AI and automation, working with ChatGPT, OpenAI, Manus, Gemini, MS CoPilot, API, LangChain, Hugging Face, Manus, TensorFlow and Auto-GPT as well as Python-based ML frameworks and MLOps tools to intelligently transform classic software development, analysis, and testing processes.
Hartmut Ullrich
Last position:
Freelancer at Freelancer
Projects at Raiffeisen Software Group (RSG), Linz from 2022-01-01 to 2025-03-31: application development on mainframe with PL/1, DB2, JCL, Tabex; development environment with idz, Jira, Dimensions, Confluence; execution of projects in banking reporting (own funds, capital requirements, large exposures, leverage ratio)
Project at Airbus, Hamburg from 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31: mainframe system enhancements (TAKSY) in agile environment (Scrum, SAFe); business analysis; technical design; implementation (PL/1, DB2, IMS, JCL); test management; deployment
Sebastian Hefczyk
Last position:
Overall Project Manager; Turnaround Manager & Coach at Statutory Health Insurance Fund
- Taking over the troubled project from the internal project management and successful turnaround of project phase 1 (cutover of approx. 1000 servers (VMs)/standard desktops, specialized desktops)
- Responsible project management for the successful phase 1 transition (planning in the shortest possible time followed by implementation (very successful with low ticket volume))
- Stakeholder management – taking over direct (daily before cutover) communication with the client from the Chief Operation Manager in the format of regular meetings in taskforce mode. Rapid rebuilding of the previously lost trust base and restoration of the client relationship for optimal satisfaction
- Taskforce mode to eliminate all existing issues/showstoppers before cutover
- Scope clarification, setup, and scheduling of phase 2 activities (e.g. silo/admin servers)
- Kick-off of phase 2 / handing the project back to the success line for the internal project management/line to handle the remaining defined topics
- Establishing, preparing, and conducting steering committees with V-1 management to align the guardrails
- Moderation of various regular meetings and operational workshops
- Participation in the lessons learned with the client to address dissatisfaction related to the internal project management (before my start! They are extremely satisfied with my work)
- Tools: Atlassian Suite (Confluence/JIRA), MIRO, Sharepoint; MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project)
Jürgen Schoemaker
Last position:
IT Consultant / Analyst / Developer / Tester / Support at Automotive Manufacturer
- Analysis, software development/customization, and testing of various transaction and batch objects
- Conducting functional integration and regression tests on TEST and QA platforms under z/OS for later production implementation
- Hardware / Software / Tools: IBM MVS, z/OS, JES2/3, TSO-ISPF, JCL, DB2, SQL, SQL/PL, QMF, QMF for Workstations, SPUFI, FileAid, IMS-DB/DC, MFS, XPEDITER, COBOL, REXX, Windows 10, MS Office 365, MS Teams, batch job management via OPC, BETA92, RVS, BVB, ABL, DIALOGplus, PROBA, PRODPR (VW internal systems), JIRA, CONFLUENCE
Peter Ruppert
Last position:
System support / further development at Allianz
- Software management
- Release management, automated release deployment
- Handover of PL1 modules to Linux for MF-Pl1 compiler
- Maintenance of XINFO, Lexicon, DB design, migration
Jürgen Fleckenstein
Last position:
Payment Transaction Application Developer at Deutsche Bundesbank
- Supported the ongoing payment transaction operations using the central bank's house bank procedure
- Programmed, implemented, and tested new releases
- Provided infrastructure for the test environment
Axel Telthörster
Last position:
Migration of Host Programs to Decentralized Processing (Cobol to Java) at Freelancer
- Analysis of calculations in the legacy system (Cobol), reconciliation with specification and checking differences in the new system
- Managing change requests with Jira
- Basis for compare reconciliation: XML formats for further processing in Dopix (business: VS certificate, customer info, contribution statements)
- Automated XML comparisons via TWS jobs in various test systems
- Reviewing and documenting related utility programs and interface calls
- Reviewing legacy programs in terms of content, technology, and business logic
- Creating and extending JCLs for regression tests host <> decentralized
- Analyzing error cases and comparing with specifications for correctness
- Creating Jira tickets as requests or bug fixes for the Java programs
Technical environment:
- COBOL
- TSO/ISPF
- DB2/SQL (Spufi, QE2)
- IMS-DB/DC application development
- JCL, TWS (Tivoli), EJM Beta48 (AIX)
- Changeman (Extended Release Option)
- Citrix environment
- MS Office
- Ticket management with Jira
- Agile development
Marcel Dicks
Last position:
Software Developer / IT Tester at Continentale Krankenversicherung a.G.
Analysis, online COBOL software development and testing of dialog and batch programs in the Kranken Leistung (KL) project
Error analysis, bug fixing and ticket resolution (change requests and defects)
Documentation in collaboration with the contact office and the mathematics department
IT skills: Siemens Fujitsu BS2000, CCOM Emulation, Micro Focus Visual COBOL I and II, Eclipse IDE, UDS database system, Atlassian Confluence and Jira, ZULIP, UNIFY
Gerhard Haunstetter
Last position:
Application Developer at Lila Logistik
- Supported the application
- Developed applications in COBOL
- Extended customer and in-house requirements
- Assisted in ensuring smooth operation
- Methods/tools: COBOL, HP3000, MPE/XL operating system, IMAGE database, Whisper (development interface)
Bruno Isigkeit
Last position:
Support Consultant at Onapsis
- Support for SAP Security Tools to find and fix vulnerabilities in ABAP programs (CodeProfiler - Control for Code ABAP) and in transport requests (TransportProfiler - Control for Transport)
- Use of ticketing systems: Salesforce, Jira
Michael Wolf
Last position:
Storage Architect at BSI GmbH
- Processing changes to build new storage in a new data center environment
- Draft design of the storage solution with its backup area
- Discussions on the future storage architecture and cloud backup solution
- Timeline creation for each project with duration and maturity level
- Documenting each project in Confluence
- Updating all storage product items in Certlich
- Updating and fixing errors in Alfabet
- Adding new products and their details in Alfabet for the storage area
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using IBM IMS
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
36 years
Position duration
2.8 years
Positions per freelancer
20
Top business areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Top industries
Banking and Finance, Information Technology, Insurance
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
56%
Master's degree or higher
31%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
96%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates of experts in Germany using IBM IMS
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the technology
IMS basics
IBM IMS, also known as IMS or IBM Information Management System, is a mainframe platform for high-volume transaction processing and hierarchical data. Companies use it to run core business systems that must stay stable, fast, and traceable. It is common in long-lived enterprise environments where change needs careful control.
Common work
- Maintain IMS databases and transaction regions
- Support COBOL and JCL-based applications
- Tune batch jobs and online processing
- Handle incident analysis and root-cause fixes
- Help with interface work to newer systems
Skills that matter
Strong specialists understand IMS DB, IMS TM, DL/I, PSBs, ACBs, and region setup. They also know how IMS fits with z/OS, CICS, DB2, and schedulers around the mainframe stack. Clear documentation and careful change control are part of the job.
When to bring one in
Bring in freelance expertise when a system is stable but hard to change, when a release touches critical transactions, or when internal teams need extra hands for migration planning. In Germany, this often comes up in finance, insurance, manufacturing, and public-sector environments that still depend on mainframe workloads.
What good experts deliver
A good IMS specialist does more than keep the lights on. They read traces, analyze abends, adjust performance bottlenecks, and explain risks before change goes live. They also work well with application teams, operations, and business stakeholders who rely on the system every day.
Tools and collaboration
Typical work includes ISPF, SMP/E, SDSF, job control, monitoring tools, and repository or ticketing systems used by the client. Remote work is often practical for analysis, documentation, and code changes, while some projects still need on-site access for sensitive systems or direct support. English is usually enough for technical work, and German can help in local team communication.
Frequently asked questions
The facts hiring teams ask for most often when it comes to IBM IMS.
IBM IMS is used for transaction processing and hierarchical data management on the mainframe. Companies rely on it for core workloads that need predictable behavior, strong control, and long-term stability. It often sits behind business processes that must keep running even when surrounding systems change.
Yes, IMS is the common short name for IBM Information Management System. In practice, people usually say IMS when they talk about the platform, its databases, or its transaction layer. Searchers may also use the full product name when they look for specialists.
IBM IMS is built around hierarchical data and transaction processing, while Db2 on z/OS is a relational database platform. Many companies use both, but they solve different problems and require different skills. A good specialist knows where IMS is the right fit and where integration with Db2 makes sense.
A strong IBM IMS specialist usually knows COBOL, JCL, z/OS, and the surrounding mainframe tools. Familiarity with CICS, DB2, batch scheduling, and incident analysis is also valuable. That mix helps with both daily support and change work.
A IBM IMS project needs deep experience when it affects critical transactions, database structures, or mainframe performance. It also matters during migration planning, audit-sensitive changes, or recovery work after a production issue. For small documentation tasks, broader mainframe experience may be enough, but core changes need a real specialist.
Much IBM IMS work can be done remotely, especially analysis, code review, documentation, and change preparation. On-site presence in Germany can still matter when access rules are strict, teams need close coordination, or a client prefers local language support. The right setup depends on the security model and the delivery process.
Look for a IBM IMS professional who can explain real production work, not just list tools. Good signs are clear incident handling, clean change notes, knowledge of IMS DB and IMS TM, and careful coordination with operations. Strong specialists also ask the right questions about risk, dependencies, and rollback.
Companies bring in IMS experts to stabilize critical systems, support releases, and solve performance or abend issues. They also help when internal knowledge is thin, when older documentation is incomplete, or when a modernization step must not disturb daily operations. That is common in large legacy estates that still carry essential business flows.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects is 97 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 779 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects, 56% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 31% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects have 36 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.8 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects are German (100%), English (96%), and French (29%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects are Banking and Finance (83%), Information Technology (83%), and Insurance (79%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used IBM IMS in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Quality Assurance (96%), and Project Management (67%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used IBM IMS
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
