23
Mon, Dec
1 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. MORE
  4. Commerce
  5. Commerce - Other
  6. Get Down to E-business

Get Down to E-business

Commerce - Other
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Midrange Computing has been telling you a lot about e-business lately. It should be clear by now that you must get on board if you want to compete. We’ve given you tools to make informed decisions that will launch you toward success. That’s our job. Giving you tools for success is IBM’s job, too. And Big Blue has tackled that challenge by transforming the reliable, robust AS/400 into a premier platform for e-business.

IBM’s dedication to ensuring your smooth transition into e-business was especially evident in July. The Solutions ’99 IBM Technical Developer Conference focused on e- business, offering sessions by people who develop the tools and technologies that drive it. IBM also announced an initiative to train and certify individuals in developing and selling e- business solutions. However, the biggest news was the announcement of IBM’s first application-specific server, the AS/400e Dedicated Server for Domino, which can perform as a Web server. (Learn more about this announcement on page 19.)

But perhaps the most significant thing IBM has done for you has been to create the Application Framework for e-business. This framework gives you a solid foundation on which to build, run, manage, and maintain an e-business site.

E-business is much more than e-commerce. To take full advantage of e-business opportunities, you must leverage your company’s information by transforming your core business processes. To do that, you must build a secure, dynamic Web site that includes everything from workflow to line-of-business applications. E-business can save you time and money by connecting every aspect of your business in real-time collaboration.

IBM is aware of your challenges and concerns as you embark on this new journey into e-business. That’s why the Framework is designed the way it is. It’s standards-based. In today’s world, you need the open standards of Java, Extensible Markup Language (XML), TCP/IP, and Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) so you can do business across all platforms, including the AS/400, Windows NT, Linux, UNIX, and OS/390. The Framework is also server-centric. No business with its eye on the bottom line wastes resources on multiple upgrades and deployments. Of course, any viable e-business solution must be scalable as well. All indicators point toward a continuing rise in e- business, so growth needs to be part of the plan. But what good would this plan be if it didn’t allow you to use your existing systems? Today, you can quickly and economically develop and deploy e-business solutions by extending the applications you already have.

IBM divides its Application Framework into three sections: development tools and components, application servers and integration software, and secure network and management software.

The Framework starts with a robust and comprehensive set of development tools and reusable application components. VisualAge is a powerful repository-based visual development environment that allows you to add functionality to existing applications. With Notes Designer for Domino (a.k.a. Domino Designer), you get the objected-oriented (OO) utensils and customizable templates you need to build collaborative Web sites. Full-text search, workflow, and content management capabilities are already built in, and the Java support enables you to embed applets directly into Notes forms. WebSphere Studio’s integrated visual development toolset offers you the ease of wizards to create JavaBeans, servlets, and database queries and includes a project organizer and source control system, allowing easy site management and maintenance. Lotus e-Suite adds another element of strength to IBM’s Application Framework. You can use this complete set of Java-based business productivity applets and utilities as modular building blocks to create dynamic, interactive Web pages. And SanFrancisco’s reusable Java-based components and frameworks include application-specific components for core business processes as well as hundreds of common business objects.

The Framework’s application and database servers and integration software are designed to leverage your existing IT investments. Domino’s strength is in messaging, workflow, and collaboration. WebSphere provides extensibility, performance, security, availability, and scalability for your query and transaction-intensive e-business applications. The new, scalable DB2/UDB ensures secure access to legacy data. And you can count on the oh-so-compatible CICS to manage high-volume transactions and large numbers of users.

For network security, IBM offers its SecureWay family of products. SecureWay locates, connects, and secures every user and application involved in any e-business transaction. For heterogeneous system management, there’s Tivoli, a leading supplier of open, cross-platform management solutions.

There you have it. IBM has provided all the hardware and software you need to launch a successful e-business. The rest is up to you. To get a better idea of everything the Application Framework for e-business can do for you, visit www.software.ibm.com/ebusiness/.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: