Database
ProData Computer Services, Inc., introduces Remote Database Connect (RDB Connect). The product gives developers full SQL access to remote databases from an RPG, Cobol or CL program on the System i.
With RDB Connect, users can access cross-platform, realtime data on remote systems via APIs to execute any SQL query. A core library, independent of the applications and remote database, acts as an interpreter between the applications and the database drivers, while the database drivers contain the remote database-specific details.
RDB Connect supports access to MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Postgre, and DB2. The solution communicates directly with remote databases from all high-level languages on the System i to enable record-level I/O, as well as the import/export of remote data for use in batch or interactive programs.
ProData Computer Services, Inc. 402-697-7575. prodatacomputer.com [2].
Programmer Tools
Mrc updates m-Power, its web-application development tool that lets System i and other platform users create custom business web applications in Java without writing code. The upgrade offers several features that let developers incorporate Web 2.0 capabilities into their finished applications.
One added capability called "Hover" lets end users view data and drill down into their web-based business applications directly within the GUI without clicking. Instead, when a user passes the mouse over a hover-ready link, a window appears that reveals the data records or reports for that particular link. If that hover window displays an application with a hover-link in it, the method lets the user roll over the link to reveal another hover window that shows drill-down information as well, a cascading feature.
Another cascading feature of the m-Power upgrade lets developers build drop-down windows that are reliant on each other (e.g., drop-down lists of states, counties, and cities that refresh the country and city lists with just those selections valid for a particular state when the user selects that state). Additional Web 2.0-type features include the ability to more easily pass data between multiple applications, the ability to maintain the same look for web pages sent via e-mail, and automatic data output to MS Excel that retains all formatting. Finally, m-Power adds a feature that lets users restrict output to a specified number of records, facilitating "top ten"- or "bottom five"-style lists.
mrc. 630-916-0662. mrc-productivity.com [3].
Document Management
Quadrant Software introduces web-services support and dynamic workflow processing in IntelliChief 2.0, the first major upgrade of its document-management, workflow, and imaging solution for the System i and Windows servers.
The upgrade makes IntelliChief features available as configurable web services that can integrate with existing business applications. This lets IntelliChief support companies deploying SOA-ready solutions or using web-based applications, and simplify the process of making IntelliChief functions available as part of legacy software. The dynamic workflow processing feature lets IntelliChief's workflow environment work more like a high-level programming language by enabling use or more variables and expressions within business rules and enabling users to tailor a larger number of conditions to the way the users actually do their work.
Version 2.0 also introduces a detailed audit log for document-related activities, including documents handled via other Quadrant products such as its Formtastic e-forms and check-processing application and its FastFax faxing solution. The auditing changes let administrators diagnose document-capture and distribution problems by pinpointing where document-related actions failed so they can take corrective action. Other upgrade changes include improved batch control for high-volume document scanning, a "rubber stamp" function that facilitates addition to documents of commonly used notes or department headers, enhanced folder monitoring, and verification procedures for data in critical fields, such as Social Security numbers.
Quadrant Software. 813-971-9500. quadrantsoftware.com [4].
Document Management
CYBRA Corporation unveils MarkMagic Print Manager, an add-on option included with MarkMagic 6.1, the latest version of its print solution for barcode labels, RFID tags, and eForms software.
MarkMagic Print Manager lets users better control documents by letting them specify rules that trigger printing conditions based on the contents of a document or label as well as the print job's environment. At runtime, Print Manager automatically processes these rules and changes the printing instructions, thereby letting users develop sophisticated print jobs without programming.
Print Manger lets users select a printer based on customer location, for example, to enable printing of documents at a branch office closer to the customer site, or route the job to a specific printer based on the requesting user, date, time of day, or other factors. In addition, the solution lets users change the format of a document in response to customer status, for example, if their owed balance is greater than zero, use different formats for subsequent pages of a document, and change character sets by testing for country to enable printing country-specific labels or forms with correct currency symbols and formatting.
CYBRA Corporation. 800-292-7288. cybra.com [5].
Systems Management
Curbstone Corporation announces MANTIS/400, a web-based bug tracking and help desk application that runs natively on the System i using PHP, available free of charge. With the solution, users can create and manage internal and external support issues while using any web browser or client operating system. Users receive e-mail notification when issues are managed, and the solution can use data from RPG, Query, Cobol, and SQL. Users can also take advantage of customizable issue workflow. Curbstone maintains a product-specific website at mantis400.com [6].
Curbstone Corporation. 888-844-8533. curbstone.com [7].
Programmer Tools
Zend Technologies releases Zend Core 2.5, the latest version of its open-source PHP development and production environment, which helps developers create web versions of legacy System i applications. Zend Core 2.5 includes Certified PHP 5.2.4, a simplified installation of the full PHP application stack, and system management tools that provide support for unattended deployments and integrations. The update also includes service agreements for PHP 5.2.4 for up to two years from the introduction of the next PHP version, and support options ranging from web-only to 24/7.
Zend Technologies. 408-253-8800. zend.com [8].
Programmer Tools
Business Computer Design International, Inc. (BCD), releases WebSmart ILE V6.6, the latest version of its web application development tool for the System i. In version 6.6, built-in templates enable users to create programs that connect to either Microsoft SQL server databases or MySQL databases that reside on Linux or Unix platforms, as well as DB2. Users can also define JDBC database connection parameters, so information can be encapsulated in one program and called by many. The update also includes a visual HTML editor, a WYSIWYG HTML editor, and realtime prompting for names in PML, WebSmart's optimized programming language.
Business Computer Design International, Inc. 630-986-0800. bcdsoftware.com [9]
Systems Management
Midrange Performance Group (MPG) delivers Version 13 of Performance Navigator, a graphical PC tool for capacity planning and modeling i5/OS, AIX, and Linux workloads on System i LPARs. MPG also announces Power Navigator Version 3. Enhancements to Performance Navigator include a Management Summary Reporting Suite that captures graphs and tables of key System i performance metrics in a single HTML output and WebSphere-specific graphing of i5, AIX, and Linux performance data into an "all LPAR" view. Power Navigator automates the collection, transmission, and analysis of Unix performance data so users can model workloads on any standalone or logically partitioned i5 models.
Midrange Performance Group. 303-939-9648. www.mpginc.com [10].
Programmer Tools
Excel Program Inventions (EPI) releases a new version of its Database Assistant, a field-level change and analysis tool designed to reduce manual programming needed to apply field changes to database files and RPG applications on the System i. The solution automatically pinpoints and applies required field changes to DDS source members or data files and converts file data without programming. Version 2.2 includes CL support and the option for users to generate SQL for changed files.
Excel Program Inventions. 877-374-9273. epi-software.com [11].
Systems Management
Vision Solutions rolls out Vision Director 7.0, its System i monitoring solution. In the new version, users gain the ability to dynamically monitor objects and keep object cross-reference information current. Director 7.0 also enables users to group libraries into multiple domains and report or monitor growth across these domains. A new change-analysis feature shows users system changes at domain, library, object, or profile levels. V7.0 also offers system health reports and more detailed GUI-based reports where users can sort by columns or filters and can download data to spreadsheets, charts, or text files.
Vision Solutions. 800-957-4511. visionsolutions.com [12].
Application Software
Vormittag Associates enhances its S2K Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software suite with version 3.7.6. S2K Enterprise is a System i-native ERP that is written in ILE RPG and features a Windows-based GUI. S2K 3.7.6 features modifications to purchasing functions that suggest automatic transfers based on recommended distribution quantities for each inventory location, changes to warehouse-management functions that improve cycle counting, and warehouse transfers, as well as enhanced user screens and time-allocation features for shop-floor data collection. For retail applications, S2K 3.7.6 also adds an interface to VAI's point-of-sale backup solution, SalesLinx POS. Improved security features include tighter controls on file downloads and reporting using MS Excel, as well as controls that let administrators blank out displays of certain database fields for greater confidentiality. In addition, users can take advantage of GUI changes that add pop-up windows and the ability to display more data fields on screen. The upgrade also supports Canadian-format check printing.
In a separate announcement, VAI announces a partnership with iMessaging Systems to offer iMessaging's System i-based iNspire Call Center Suite as an optional component of VAI's S2K enterprise resource planning application suite. The integration lets S2K integrate with any PBX system and gives users access to advanced telephony features with faster implementation of their System i solutions. In addition, iNspire Call Center Suite can interoperate with IBM System i IP Telephony solutions.
Vormittag Associates, Inc. 800-824-7776. vai.net [13].
Networking
NetManage, Inc., unveils upgrades of its entire product suite, primarily to make the products compatible with MS Vista, specialized versions of Windows, and Internet Explorer 7.
NetManage's OnWeb products help users modernize and webify existing applications. OnWeb Server 7.2.5 adds support for Ajax, PDF, and Excel printing capabilities directly from System i applications, and enhanced host-publishing capabilities. OnWeb for iSeries 7.2.5 includes a native System i utility that supports load-and-run product installation. OnWeb Web-to-Host 5.3.1 improves the product's Host Pro installation features and adds Vista support.
RUMBA is NetManage's 5250 emulation software, which connects client PCs running a variety of operating systems to System i, System z, and other servers. RUMBA 7.5.1 enables mainframe display of System i applications and adds Vista support. RUMBA FTP 4.2.1, a file transfer utility, becomes compatible with the Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 2000 Professional.
NetManage, Inc. 800-277-8622. netmanage.com [14].
Services
Blue Phoenix Solutions announces multiple application-related services via its offshore development center in St. Petersburg, Russia. The service is for applications running on System i, mainframe, and other platforms and includes application development, application modernization, transformation outsourcing, custom design, software testing services, and consulting. Available developers work with applications using Ada, Ajax, Assembler, C, C++, C#, Cobol, HTML, Java, Natural, Perf, PHP, PL/1, Visual Basic, and XML.
Blue Phoenix Solutions. 210-408-0212.
bphx.com
[15].
e-Commerce
EXTOL International and eZCom Software (ezcomsoftware.com) announce integration of EXTOL Business Integrator, an EDI data-integration solution, with eZcom's Lingo, a web-based architecture for transmitting EDI data via various protocols. The combined solution is available on a Software-as-a-Service basis and will simplify e-commerce communications between business entities. Lingo features a browser interface designed around individual companies' trading needs and facilitates communications between trading partners regardless of data formats or communication protocols. By implementing EXTOL Business Integrator as the integration engine, eZCom can now integrate its standard network formats to meet the requirements of each new customer.
EXTOL International. 800-542-7284. extol.com [16].
Systems Management
Webmetrics, Inc., offers a hosted load-testing solution for web services and web-service transactions. SiteStress for Web Services is a consultative load-testing package that tests, measures, and analyzes web service performance on the System i and other servers. Using the SiteStress platform, Webmetrics replicates interaction with a web service to benchmark how it performs and to forecast how it will respond at varied and scaled user levels. Companies can use SiteStress to verify service readiness in advance of new releases and in preparation for seasonal or event-related spikes in traffic. In addition, SiteStress supports load testing for traditional web and Web 2.0 applications.
Webmetrics. 877-524-8299. webmetrics.com [17].
Application Software
Information Builders supplies WebFOCUS Performance Management Framework (PMF) Release 4, an upgrade of its financial performance-analysis package, which integrates with the company's WebFOCUS business-intelligence application for the System i and other platforms. The updated PMF dashboard includes information gadgets, prebuilt grids, graphs, and tools that let users gauge the status of key performance indicators (KPIs) and collaborate with other users. The upgrade lets users offer KPIs in blogs, as well as threading and forwarding alerts about user-defined conditions.
Information Builders. 800-969-4636. informationbuilders.com [18].
Document Management
Quadrant Software enhances its eFax server line for System i and Windows enterprise servers. The v4.7.3 release is available for all products in the FastFax suite, including FastFax/Enterprise, FastFax/Ultra, and FastFax/LAN. FastFax replaces manual fax machines with secure batch and interactive faxing from System i applications. Enhancements for FastFax/Enterprise v4.7.3 include a new audit feature for all jobs and documents, a recovery function for the solution's utility and imager programs, and support of batch e-mails. Also, users can now attach files as TIF, PDF, or in native formats. In addition, the solution now automatically processes and archives parameter files.
Quadrant Software. 813-971-9500. quadrantsoftware.com [19].
Networking
Clearview Software International announces Co*STAR Mobile Release 2.0, communications software that offers users the ability to connect SmartPhone or PDA devices to System i and Unix server applications. Co*STAR Mobile is designed for Pocket PC 2003 and Windows Mobile 5 platforms and provides TN5250 and emulations for other platforms. Co*STAR offers users unlimited numbers of emulation sessions, customizable menus and pop-ups, and automatic hotspots. The solution is also functional with ScanWedge and other scanning tools.
Clearview Software International. 603-472-7115. clearview-software.com [20].
Links:
[1] http://systeminetwork.com/author/no-author
[2] http://prodatacomputer.com/
[3] http://www.mrc-productivity.com/
[4] http://quadrantsoftware.com/
[5] http://cybra.com/
[6] http://mantis400.com/
[7] http://curbstone.com/
[8] http://www.zend.com/en/
[9] http://www.bcdsoftware.com/index.htm
[10] http://www.mpginc.com/
[11] http://epi-software.com/
[12] http://visionsolutions.com/
[13] http://www.vai.net/
[14] http://netmanage.com/
[15] http://bphx.com/
[16] http://extol.com/
[17] http://webmetrics.com/
[18] http://informationbuilders.com/
[19] http://quadrantsoftware.com/
[20] http://clearview-software.com/