Business Computer Design, Int'l. Inc., a leader in System i and multi-platform application modernization solutions, has released WebSmart Presto, its newest solution designed for rapid 5250 green-screen application modernization.
Presto, which was first announced at last spring's COMMON meeting, uses advanced Web enabling technology to instantly create a browser-based interface over all RPG, Cobol, and menu applications while at the same time adding mouse navigation.
The new, modern look with improved user interface meets requirements that users and management have requested, the company says. Web enabling is far more cost effective and much faster to implement than rewriting applications. Presto also includes an IDE (integrated development environment) for further customization of the instantly Web-enabled screens and user interface. It can add images, graphs, links, Google Maps, drop-down boxes, AJAX calls, viewing data from other systems and platforms, and SOA/Web Services. Presto supports multiple-languages and environments.
Presto is completely non-invasive to existing green-screen applications, the company says. 5250 applications are deployed to the Web with absolutely no changes to RPG, COBOL, or DDS source code and without having to recompile any programs. Users do not need to have the display-file source since existing programs are completely unaffected. Original green-screen applications will still be available. In a matter of minutes, all 5250 applications can become instantly Web enabled. Out-of-the-box and in less than a day, users can install Presto and have all green-screen applications and menus Web enabled, the company says. Users simply start the pre-configured Apache Web server instance, enter an IP address, and they're up and running. 5250 screens are dynamically presented as Web pages with absolutely no 5250 OLTP since Presto relies upon 100 percent batch processes.
According to Duncan Kenzie, CTO of BCD's software development group, "It is difficult for many organizations to justify the resources and effort needed to completely rewrite applications in RPG CGI, Java, .NET or PHP. In most cases, people aren't looking to make a drastic change to their applications. These applications have been in production for years and their users are comfortable with them. They do, however, want improvements like browser-based access and UI changes, including drop-down boxes, images, Google Maps, calendars, and the ability to navigate through applications using a mouse instead of a keyboard, all of which are very important for new users. We've made it very easy for them to accomplish this with Presto."
Evolves with Your Needs
While Presto instantly creates a Web-based user interface for 5250 green-screen applications, its value in terms of re-engineering user application environments doesn't stop there. Presto is extremely flexible and allows users to further enhance their Web-enabled screens at their own pace.
Presto enables users to go as far as they choose. Presto includes a Windows-based IDE that offers full control and access to the client-side code to integrate new UI elements. Global options, including many skins for the look and feel of screens, and function-key appearance options allow users to enhance all 5250 screens in a single operation. Presto provides significantly faster results than tools that simply Web-enable screens one at a time. By providing users with full access to the HTML of the automatically Web enabled screens, Presto lets users extend the applications further by adding AJAX and SOA/Web services functionality. Users can also add data from other sources, servers, and databases.
Presto can be the base tool for organizations using the System i to get on the road to simplified modernization, the company says. Users can go even further with BCD by combining Presto with WebSmart PHP or WebSmart ILE, Nexus Portal, Clover Query, and Catapult. They can employ WebSmart PHP or WebSmart ILE to create new System i and multi-platform Web applications. Adding Nexus Portal gives them controlled and secured access to applications (Web enabled and other Web applications), documents, Web menus, and dashboards for users, clients, and trading partners. Clover Query provides real-time Web queries with graphical drill-downs and report development. Catapult offers them automated report and document distribution via email, PDF, forms, fax and more with automated Web archiving and indexing to the Nexus portal.
BCD also offers complete professional services to assist organizations with their modernization initiatives. With BCD, it's now possible to start with instant Web enablement and advance to complete Web application and business process modernization using an integrated suite of products supported by one vendor.
Enterprise Class Solution
Presto supports multiple languages and multiple environments. Organizations with applications deployed around the world can use it to modernize their System i applications across the entire enterprise. Presto also provides "environments," which are sets of global settings for a group of programs and screens on a client system that would typically comprise an application. Environment versioning allows ISVs and Business Partners, for example, to make a single application have multiple customized presentations so each client can have a separate, tailored environment thereby simplifying multi-site management and saving time and cost.
Presto does not require any additional software or middleware other than what is included with IBM i (i5/OS). All end users need to run the Presto Web enabled applications is a browser. No PC client is needed so if you make a change, everyone has it instantly. Presto uses the free HTTP server powered by Apache that's included with every System i.
Nexus Portal Integrates with Presto
BCD offers Nexus Portal (a license-free portal for unlimited users with paid annual maintenance) with Presto. While it is an option, it is strongly recommended as Nexus integrates with Presto and all Web applications. It includes tight security, with controlled access to applications, Web menus, documents and dashboards. End-users only see the applications and content they are authorized to see. The portal provides secured single-point access while becoming a secured front end to Presto Web enabled applications and others. The Web menu system helps integrate Web enabled applications with existing Web pages or applications. Nexus also includes value added portlets such as executive dashboards, spool file viewer, PDF creation, calendars, and enterprise content management (ECM) that allows scanned documents, images, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, invoices etc. to be added, secured and shared. BCD's Catapult auto-files and auto-indexes reports, invoices, PO's and more using its automated System i report and document distribution functions.
Innovative Pricing Options
BCD offers unique licensing options including base licensing--this is a fixed price by tier and includes a specified number concurrent seats for each tier making it a more affordable way to license, according to the company. Users can choose unlimited user licensing--this is for organizations with a lot of end-users making this an even more affordable option compared to basic concurrent licensing. Users may call BCD to learn which licensing option works best for them. To learn more about Presto, or to schedule a live Web demo or attend a Webinar, contact BCD at (630) 986-0800, or e-mail
Presto is a component of BCD's ClearPath Modernization Suite. Modernization means different things to different people, and BCD maintains it is the only System i vendor to offer a family of award-winning integrated modernization components that allow users to build their own customized solution.
Visit www.bcdsoftware.com/clearpath for details. Take BCD's modernization profile and receive a free customized modernization report www.bcdsoftware.com/profile and a $1,000 BCD Software Certificate.
About BCD
BCD is one of the most successful software organizations in the IBM System i space. BCD has proudly received more than 35 industry awards for software excellence. It has 30 years of experience in the IBM midrange marketplace, and, to date, more than 10,000 organizations have licensed over 30,000 BCD software solutions worldwide. BCD is a member of IBM's System i ISV Advisory Council and is an IBM Advanced Business Partner. All of BCD's key solutions are included on IBM's System i Developer Roadmap and are IBM Server Proven.
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