Case Study: CalWIN achieves rapid, scalable high-volume data processing with Innovative Routines International (IRI) CoSort SortCL

CoSort Streamlines High Volume Data Manipulation for CalWORKS Information Network

CalWIN, the statewide CalWORKS Information Network replacing a 30‑year‑old human services system, faced a massive data challenge: supporting 30,000 end users across 800 locations, determining benefits for about 2,200,000 families, and running roughly 6,400 batch scripts each evening to produce interface and reporting extracts. To consolidate and accelerate the many convert/reformat/sort/join/merge steps required by the legacy environment, CalWIN adopted Innovative Routines International (IRI)’s CoSORT solution, using the SortCL data transformation language.

IRI implemented CoSORT’s SortCL to perform multi‑function transformations in a single pass, replacing several products and steps with embedded SortCL scripts. The result was dramatic throughput gains and simplified processing — for example, a SortCL job section sorts and performs two joins of 500,000 records each in about 25 seconds — enabling CalWIN to rapidly transform huge data volumes for daily decision making. Innovative Routines International (IRI) also provided strong support, scalability, and flexible licensing that smoothed migration and ongoing operations.

CalWIN

Dan Gonos

EDS Chief Technologist