System i application modernisation
The increasing move towards browser-based technology presents
a significant challenge for System i companies using traditional
green-screen applications; namely, to migrate to Windows and
browser-based user interfaces with instant access to back-end
information from anywhere, without the need to spend a fortune
on new development and retraining.
While many admire the stability
and productivity of the green screen character-based System i user
interface there are sound reasons for switching to a browser-based
graphical user interface. These include:
- Easier training for new users.
- Easier integration with other desktop software.
- Extended longevity for your System i application.
- The removal of the need for special client software or hardware.
The way in which you achieve the transition to a browser-based
interface will depend on your individual circumstances and on
factors such as the availability of your application source code.
CoralTree offers a range of solutions which will allow you to stay
ahead of the game while retaining your current System i platform:
The Renaissance Framework
Freely available under the Open Source MPL Licence Version 1.1 Renaissance is a complete Framework of RPG ILE programs, service programs, Javascript code and HTML for building browser-based intranet applications for the IBM System i Server.
Applications built using the Framework run on the System i Apache HTTP server, utilising the CGIDEV2 service procedures in order to deliver web-pages to a browser. Ajax technology provides the end user with smooth page transition and seamless server/browser interaction.
The Renaissance Framework provides:
- Comprehensive internationalisation capability.
- Multiple environment support.
- Full session management for maintaining state across
multiple page requests.
- User security, with System i user ID and password
verification and role-based authority to each function.
- The ability to define your own data tables and allow the
end user to maintain data through functionally rich web pages
without writing a single line of code.
- Full audit trails of data updates.
- Automatic application resource locking.
- Built-in performance monitoring.
- A range of CSS-based themes.
For more on the Renaissance Framework visit
www.renaissanceframework.com.
Automatic report and data distribution
These days business decision makers expect to be provided
with timely reports and business data in formats with which
they are familiar and which enable them to carry ?ut further
analysis or refinement. For System i-hosted applications
this means converting key business reports and/or output
data into appropriate PC file formats (such as XML, PDF,
XLS, TXT or CSV) and emailing these files directly to the
appropriate recipients. This entire conversion and delivery
process can be fully automated and managed via simple browser-based
configuration panels using CoralTree's iSIMS software.
Email input/output interfaces
Inbound and outbound emails provide a valuable new interface
option for your System i application. As well as delivering
business reports, data and application alerts via outbound
email you can also have your System i application periodically
poll specified email inboxes and parse from the email content
or attachments valuable business data sent by your business
partners or customers. This data is then available for use as
input into your business applications.
Web services and web page integration
A large amount of dynamic business information is now available
from a variety of sources on the Internet. This data can easily
be retrieved and used in your existing business application.
Real time stock market prices, exchange rates and weather data
are examples of the types of data available.
Our System i web access routines allow data to be retrieved from any
web page on the Internet with that data then being parsed for
presentation or further processing within your own business
application. Imagine being able to retrieve your competitors' current
product prices and incorporate them into your sales order
quotations, or retrieve detailed driving directions for printing on
your drivers' delivery notes. The possible uses for this
functionality are limited only by your imagination.
SMS text message input/output interfaces
With most adults now carrying a mobile phone, what better way to
extend the capabilities of your System i application than via the
CoralTree SMS Gateway. This unique software module allows many
business functions to be executed via text messages generated by
your organisation or received from your customer's mobile phones.
The SMS Gateway's confiiguration options and System i application
program interface allow text messages to be used to drive existing
application functions, execute System i commands and call
user-configurable programs on your System i. For example, one of
our existing clients use the SMS Gateway to process 'pay per view'
event orders from their cable TV customers.
CoralTree solutions benefits 'in a nutshell'
- An immediate return on investment through improved business productivity.
- A modern Windows and browser-basedinterface using existing System i applications and processes.
- The ability to meet business demands whilst developing existing knowledge and human resources.
- Dedicated training and support using a skilled team of consultants and proven methodologies.
- An integrated training programme to ensure effective knowledge transfer and solution usage.
The CoralTree promise
When you become a CoralTree customer you gain more than just a
solution. The CoralTree consultancy programme is second to none.
Our dedicated support services, combined with extensive experience,
training and knowledge transfer capabilities, ensure that you
gain the most out of your chosen solution.