Essential reengineering platform functionality can be made more accessible, and even extended, using Java as a basis for platform development, as follows. The process of software reengineering tool development should be able to enjoy the benefits conferred by "open" enabling technologies. Reengineering tool development and use involves distinctive processes and thus has distinctive requirements of enabling technologies. The earlier dominant "Software Refinery" proprietary reengineering tool development platform is both lacking with respect to required reengineering characteristics and moreover has limited accessibility. However, using Java as basis, the functionality of the proprietary platform can be substantially recreated to achieve open technology goals of adaptability, portability, accessibility and eventually heterogeneity also.