If your company wants to access the iSeries via the Internet, there is something you should know before you select a 5250 application modernization tool. About two months from now, a new tool from IBM known as WebSphere Host Access Transformation Server (HATS) will become part of the iSeries Access Family of products.
While it may seem that IBM is adding another Web enablement tool to its confusing array of such products, rest assured that HATS will not increase the confusion. According to my sources inside the computer giant, HATS is an alternative to WebSphere Host Publisher (WSHP) that will gradually replace the later tool. Like WSHP, HATS dynamically converts 5250 and 3270 applications into HTML without having to access the underlying source code. However, unlike WSHP, HATS utilizes wizards and other features that make it more usable by IT professionals with minimal Web development skills. At the moment, HATS still lacks some of the more robust functions of WSHP. Over the next several years, however, IBM intends to incorporate these functions into HATS so that it can retire the older tool.
While HATS has been on the market since the end of last year, most iSeries shops are unaware of it because it is only available as part of IBM's WebSphere Host Integration Solution suite of tools. While most iSeries shops use tools in the iSeries Access Family--formerly known as the Client Access Family--and the WebSphere Development Studio for iSeries, only a fraction use WebSphere Host Integration Solution. The one tool from this suite that iSeries professionals use the most is WSHP, and that is only because it is included in the V5R1 and V5R2 editions of the iSeries Access Family.
Sometime near the end of June, however, IBM intends to include a limited edition version of HATS in iSeries Access Family V5R1 and V5R2 as well. At that time, HATS Limited Edition will be made available for free to iSeries Access Family license holders under their Software Subscription or Software Maintenance contracts. At this point, the IBM team in charge of HATS has not yet decided which of HATS' existing features will be included in HATS Limited Edition. All we can be certain of is that HATS Limited Edition will only convert 5250 applications, leaving the 3270 conversion capabilities to the full edition.
While HATS will be a welcome addition to the Web-enablement toolkit of iSeries professionals, many of them will wonder whether to use HATS or IBM's WebFacing Tool to convert their 5250 screens. With that in mind, I have created the following table that compares the two tools to each other. Please note that the information on HATS is based on the full edition found in the WebSphere Host Integration Solution. Though HATS Limited Edition will lack some of these features, it will conform to most of the specifications shown below.
A Comparison of WebFacing and HATS
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WebFacing
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HATS Full Edition
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Programming Features
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Application conversion capabilities
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5250 only
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5250, 3270, and VTxxx applications (Limited Edition will convert 5250 only)
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Conversion performed
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Converts DDS source code into JavaServer Pages, JavaBeans, and servlets
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Dynamically converts 5250 applications to HTML "on the fly"
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Source code requirements
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Requires DDS source code
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Does not require DDS source
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Screen flow capabilities
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Retains the existing screen flow; difficult to change flow without Java programming skills
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Can easily change screen flow and combine/consolidate screens using rules-based engine in HATS
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Screen customization
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Supports high levels of customization via style sheets and Java programming
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Supports high levels of customization via style sheets
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Graphical controls (drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.)
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Requires some Java skills to add graphical controls
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Easier to add graphical controls than WebFacing Tool
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Integration with WebSphere Portal
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Converted applications cannot be immediately integrated into WebSphere Portal Server
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Converted applications can be immediately integrated into WebSphere Portal Server
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Skills requirements
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Requires an understanding of Java development tools and methods to fully use
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Requires little or no understanding of Java development tools
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Support Requirements
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Browser
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Supports Internet Explorer on Windows clients only; JavaScript support required
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Supports IE, Netscape, Opera on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX clients; only requires HTML support
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Application server
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Requires WebSphere Application Server 3.5 (OS/400 V5R1 only), WAS 4.0, or WAS 5.0
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Requires WAS 4.0 Advanced or WAS 5.0
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Operating system
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OS/400 V5R1 or V5R2
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OS/400 V5R1 or V5R2
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5250/Interactive Requirements
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Does not generate 5250/interactive overhead
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Does generate 5250/interactive overhead
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Packaging and Pricing
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Included in:
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WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries
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WebSphere Host Integration Solution (Limited Edition will be part of iSeries Access Family)
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Pricing
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Processor tiered pricing
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Processor tiered pricing
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As the above table indicates, the WebFacing Tool and HATS differ in several important aspects. Unlike the WebFacing Tool, HATS does not require DDS source code. This makes it suitable in situations where the DDS source is not available, such as system screens and many applications from software vendors. In addition, applications converted via HATS can be read by a variety of browsers and client operating systems. This may be important if your organization supports multiple client operating systems or if you are Web-enabling your applications for customers whose browser capabilities are unknown. HATS is also simpler to learn and use than the WebFacing Tool.
On the other hand, applications converted via HATS will still impose interactive workload requirements on the iSeries servers that IBM announced in January. If you want to run a new iSeries server without interactive workloads so that you can avoid paying for the Enterprise Edition of that server, HATS is not for you. If you have Java skills, you will also find that the WebFacing Tool provides greater abilities to customize applications and integrate them with other systems. There is also the open issue of what functions IBM will include in HATS Limited Edition. If the feature set is relatively limited, it may leave iSeries shops with no choice but to use the WebFacing Tool or buy the WebSphere Host Integration Solution suite that contains the full edition of HATS.
As you can see, IBM's application modernization tools still pose a host of dilemmas and tradeoffs for iSeries programmers. With HATS, however, IBM now offers a tool that is definitely designed for developers with little or no Java- or Web-development skills. This could make HATS attractive to many iSeries shops that lack these skills and need a simple way to Web-enable their green-screens. Of course, we won't know just how attractive HATS could be until the Limited Edition makes its debut within the iSeries Access Family two months from now. If IBM gives me a sneak preview, I'll be sure to let you in on the details.
Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology. You can reach him at
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