You may need to specify NO LOCK in the READ statement. RM/COBOL doesn't try to lock a record when a file is only open INPUT, but Visual COBOL might.
Several details are missing from your description of the problem:
(1) Did you compile with directive dialect(rm)?
(2) Have you converted your data files to Micro Focus format or are you using filetype(21) directive at compile time and the original RM/COBOL data files at runtime?
(3) What do your lock mode clauses say (if there are any) and what does your OPEN statement say, both for the application and the report program(s)?
(4) Can you provide a small test case that demonstrates exactly what you are doing?
WITH IGNORE LOCK is a Micro Focus Visual COBOL option in the READ statement for relative and indexed files (not sequential organization files). It might resolve your problem.