Databases

AURA Equipments Storage Solution Integrates DB2/400 and MySQL

AURA Equipments launches iStorage for MySQL, a storage engine that integrates DB2/400 databases into MySQL. Designed primarily for applications written in Zend Corporation's PHP language, iStorage for MySQL lets developers share data from PHP applications with native OS/400 programs, but without requiring any source-code changes. IStorage for MySQL centralizes data in a single storage area and enables access to the data from virtually any type of interface. This arrangement lets developers use DB2/400 as the main database management system, while MySQL remains the major database access API for PHP applications.

In addition, during installations of PHP-based applications on the System i, iStorage for MySQL automatically redirects short-listed tables from MySQL databases to DB2/400, also without modifying application code. The API makes MySQL tables reachable from applications written in RPG or Cobol, and DB2/400 files reachable from PHP applications. AURA Equipments (France). (33) 169070145. easycom-aura.com.

Document Management

NetManage Delivers Paperless Document Manager

NetManage, Inc., makes available iPrint, a new feature within OnWeb, a developer tool that converts business processes to prototype web services. With iPrint, companies can convert files to PDF and Excel formats and facilitate realtime electronic material distribution.

The iPrint solution enables web users to receive System i print jobs (spooled files) in PDF or Excel format, which can be shared via e-mail, on the web, or in print. Users can format and edit the spooled files to create new documents, and business managers can modify fonts, margins, logos, and barcodes.

Automation tools enable customers to create navigation instructions as needed, and OnWeb offers a web presentation of the emulator, so customers don't need to install a desktop-based emulator for every user. NetManage, Inc. 800-558-7656. netmanage.com.

Programmer Tools

Information Builders Debuts BI App Builder for Web

Information Builders launches WebFOCUS FLEX Enable, the latest member of its WebFOCUS business-intelligence tool set for System i and other platforms. WebFOCUS FLEX Enable is an interactive development environment that helps developers build rich Internet applications for business intelligence (BI).

The application engine combines features from WebFOCUS and Adobe's Flex Builder to support creation of Web 2.0-style customer interactive and animated analytic dashboards, termed "flashboards." Flashboards use animation, and transition effects focus user attention, while custom interaction guides users through interative analytic processes. Adobe Flex provides the combination of animation, vector graphics, interactive effects, and portability.

WebFOCUS FLEX Enable delivers data representations that let end users focus on the most relevant details, follow trends, and transform data into a newscast-like experience. It handles complex filtering, includes 30 custom components, and works with any current or future version of WebFOCUS. Information Builders. 800-774-9473. Informationbuilders.com.

Programmer Tools

Aldon Streamlines RSE with WDSc, Eclipse Plug-ins

Aldon offers plug-ins designed specifically for the Remote System Explorer (RSE) programming environment in conjunction with Aldon Lifecycle Manager, a process-driven software change and configuration management solution that provides automated and streamlined management of development processes. Compatible with both WebSphere Development Studio Client (WDSc) and Eclipse IDEs, the new Aldon plug-ins offer enhanced compare and merge capabilities, promotion of actions throughout the life cycle, the ability to set user defaults, and improved browsing for tasks and objects. Aldon. 510-839-3535. aldon.com.

Programmer Tools

Zend Improves PHP, Eclipse Development Tools

Zend Technologies releases Zend Studio for Eclipse, an integrated development environment (IDE) for PHP. The solution includes a set of editing, debugging, analysis, optimization, and database tools, as well as support for agile development processes such as code generation, code refactoring, and PHP Unit testing support.

Zend also makes available Zend Platform 3.6, an upgrade of its PHP environment that offers runtime code optimization, Java integration bridge, and dynamic content caching for PHP applications. New enhancements include the ability to monitor HTTP, Apache, and Java events; expanded performance alerts; and the ability to debug production problems on development servers. Zend Technologies. 408-253-8800. zend.com.

Application Software

Oracle Integrates Transport Management App with JDE's EnterpriseOne

Oracle Corporation announces integration of Oracle Transportation Management 5.5 with Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne ERP suite for System i and other platforms. Oracle Transportation Management helps shippers and third-party logistics providers plan shipments, trucking schedules, and other activities related to goods movement between geographical points.

Integration of the two applications is within EnterpriseOne's sales order management, procurement, and financial-management applications. The union gives EnterpriseOne a complete fulfillment-execution system that lets users streamline transportation planning, execution, and freight payment system that covers all activities from item availability to final delivery. The integration accommodates multiple modes of transportation, including full truckload, less-than-truckload, parcel, and complex multiple-leg air, ocean, and rail shipments. In addition, the integration makes available to EnterpriseOne users the latest innovations in Transportation Management 5.5, including more streamlined workflow and configuration and performance-related diagnostic tools.

The integration is available for customers using EnterpriseOne versions 8.11 SP1 and 8.12 and will be delivered as part of the standard maintenance contract. Oracle Corporation. 800-672-2531. oracle.com.

Application Software

Oracle Unveils Information Management for Retail

Oracle Corporation announces Oracle Product Information Management for Retail (PIMR), a master data management application for System i and other users. PIMR integrates, standardizes, and synchronizes fragmented product data from multiple systems into a single, central data repository. With the new solution, retailers can synchronize product data with information from their suppliers, involve extended retail enterprise and third parties in the product setup process, and maintain product attributes across different channels within a single system. Also, users can take advantage of flexible configuration and unstructured data management. Oracle Corporation. 800-672-2531. oracle.com.

Application Software

Cognos Offers Performance Solution for Retailers

Cognos launches a new performance solution designed to help retail executives and managers standardize and coordinate company-wide operational plans and track performance against objectives. The Cognos Retail Financial Workbench & Scorecard Blueprint provides a mechanism for consolidating multiple operational plans into a single high-level financial plan. Cognos Blueprints are targeted, prebuilt data, process, and policy models based on best practices in manufacturing planning, budgeting, and forecasting. With the new solution, users can conduct what-if analysis and scenario modeling, generate financial statements, and monitor key performance metrics with prebuilt scorecards and intuitive dashboards. With the scorecard component, managers can also set alerts in the event of a metric status change. Cognos. 866-601-1934. cognos.com.

Systems Management

Shield Upgrades Disaster Recovery Solution

Shield Advanced Solutions ships Receiver Apply Program (RAP) 2.1. RAP is an application that provides a disaster-recovery solution for System i environments using LPAR, or those that simply need data replication rather than high availability. RAP/400 runs on i5/OS V5R4M0 or later and provides users with automatically applied journal entries from a remote journal receiver. New features in RAP V2.1 include improved object and profile replication and data repair during data auditing. The latest release also interacts directly with Shield's JobQGenie product, a solution for the replication of job queue data to the remote system. Shield Advanced Solutions. 519-940-1192. shield.on.ca.

Systems Management

CCSS Adds Battery Capability to Monitoring Solution

CCSS, Ltd., announces the launch of a new cache battery monitoring capability for QSystem Monitor, a performance-monitoring and reporting solution for the System i. With QSystem Monitor's cache battery monitor, operators can now check the life of each battery networkwide, at any time, via QSystem Monitor's Online Monitor. Users receive realtime prompts and alerts to battery issues, and for large networks, a map view shows the location of the problem. Also, users can now monitor battery health without entering the System Service Tools menu, minimizing the chance of accidental password-disabling. CCSS, Ltd. (U.K.). (44) 1634370444. ccssltd.com.

Document Management

RJS Software Updates Doc Management Solution

RJS Software Systems offers WebDocs 3.0, an upgrade of the company's document and image management software. WebDocs enables System i and other users to scan and electronically manage documents and files from within a web-based application. The enhancements include new security features such as the ability to assign users to multiple groups and the ability to set user access settings by document type. New interface and indexing improvements enable users to access up to five levels of folders and use preset lookup lists. The update also improves green-screen maintenance functionality for easier administration and reporting. RJS Software Systems. 952-898-3038. www.rjssoft.com.

Domino/Notes

Stampede Adds Domino 8 Support to App Accelerator

Stampede Technologies unveils TurboGold Enterprise Edition Release 3 (TGEE 3.0), an upgrade of its Domino/Notes application accelerator for Domino servers, including the System i. The upgrade is available in two separate editions for Linux and non-Linux servers. TGEE 3.0 optimizes application delivery and improves network performance for web-enabled applications. The upgrade adds support for Domino 8, improves Notes database access and replication performance, reduces storage requirements for Notes e-mail attachments, adds a centralized console for policy management, and enables simultaneous, realtime database-update broadcasts for all subscribers. Stampede Technologies. 937-291-5035. stampede.com.

Education and Training

Manta Updates WDSc Computer-based Training Courses

Manta Technologies announces an update to its Using WebSphere Development Studio Client (WDSc) series of computer-based training courses to make the training compatible with WDSc 7.0. The series consists of five courses, "Introduction to WDSc," "Using the Remote System Explorer," "Using the Integrated iSeries Debugger," and "WDSc Competency Exam." All Manta courses run on a Windows PC or over the Internet via the MantaNow Internet delivery system. Manta Technologies. 800-406-2682. mantatech.com.

Document Management

ICS Sharpens Forms Generator, Adds Design Tool

Integrated Custom Software, Inc., offers FormSprint version 200801. FormSprint provides laser forms generation and document management for System i users. It supports standard SCS spool files and reformats spool-file data without changes to applications. New in version 200801, an optional PC Designer tool enables drag-and-drop design of forms and macros from a Windows PC. Users can save created forms on the System i and then modify them with the FormSprint form editor. Users can also import and display spooled file pages in PC Designer. Buffer mapping shows what buffers are used, and new function keys help users troubleshoot form processing. Integrated Custom Software, Inc. 800-657-3339. formsprint.com.

Application Software

SugarCRM Updates Customer Relationship Management Tool

SugarCRM, Inc., offers Sugar 5.0. Sugar is open-source customer relationship management (CRM) software for System i and other platforms that provides business users with a single view of customer interactions across sales, marketing, and service operations, as well as reporting and collaboration tools. Sugar 5.0 introduces a new Ajax e-mail client and improved dashboards with charting capabilities. Platform enhancements enable users to build, customize, scale, and upgrade the application. The upgrade also includes a metadata-driven user interface and improved access control. SugarCRM, Inc. 877-784-2727. sugarcrm.com.

Services

VAI Offers Expanded Services to System i Users

Vormittag Associates, Inc. (VAI), launches VAI Service Bundles, a collection of eight service packages for System i users. The specific services consist of i5/OS on-site upgrades, i5/OS performance tuning and analysis, remote PTF installations, warehouse-efficiency analysis, an infrastructure and security assessment, Ariba quick-start (a solution for prospecting-to-payment cycle activity), website design and deployment, and an enterprise portal jump-start program based on VAI's S2K ERP suite. The prepackaged groups of services include technical support and consultation on issues related to network security, system performance tuning, and e-business integration. Vormittag Associates, Inc. 800-824-7776. vai.net.

Systems Management

Ericom, RTO Integrate Performance Monitor with 5250 Emulation Solution

Ericom Software and RTO Software announce integration of Ericom's PowerTerm WebConnect client/server integration and 5250 emulation product with RTO's PinPoint and Discover performance-monitoring solutions. The integration lets users of PowerTerm WebConnect also optimize and monitor performance of their terminal server and virtual desktop solutions. PinPoint and Discover monitor and measure performance in realtime, alert IT managers to performance issues before they degrade user experiences and business operations, track application dependencies, ensure up-to-date inventories of hardware and software assets, and notify appropriate personnel about configuration discrepancies that may affect application performance. Ericom Software. 888-769-7876. ericom.com.