Database Tools

Database Tool Modernizes Databases to SQL

Resolution Software, Ltd., unveils Xcase for System i, a solution that automatically augments traditional System i databases so they are fully compatible with SQL. The modified databases don't adversely affect existing applications, while bringing SQL advantages such as improved application response times, compatibility with modernized and SOA applications, and support for advanced database functions and data types. Modified databases remain accessible to RPG DDS, so existing applications can continue to use native I/O techniques, and Xcase for System i automatically reverse-engineers existing DDS-generated physical files and access paths, then generates SQL code needed to produce associated tables and indexes that work with legacy applications. In addition, the solution automates copying of databases into new SQL tables and automatically validates the data on the fly. Resolution Software also offers modernization services using its product. Resolution Software, Ltd. 800-283-8957. xcaseforsystemi.com.

Business Intelligence

NGS Announces Reporting Analytics Solution for Health Care

New Generation Software, Inc., releases Decision Assist - Healthcare, a reporting and analytical solution for community hospitals, clinics, and healthcare ISVs that use the System i. The solution provides a web portal, executive dashboards, prebuilt reports, multidimensional models, and a scalable data warehouse model designed to support revenue, patient, and clinical care performance monitoring.

The solution integrates with DB2 data through the use of Adobe Flash and Microsoft Office software. Dashboards include the ability to track such information as admissions by day of the week, admissions by patient type, and average inpatient stay length. Most reports can output to Excel spreadsheets, NGS-IQ's OLAP module, and PDF or HTML files.

Users can also integrate third-party data encryption software into the solution so customers can encrypt and decrypt data elements when running reports. New Generation Software, Inc. 800-824-1220. ngsi.com.

Database Tools

Profound Logic Introduces Database Access Tool

Profound Logic Software presents iData, a database access and editing tool for the System i. IData is a browser-based solution with an interface similar to a desktop application. The solution is installed as a server application and requires i5/OS V5R2 or later. With iData, users can add, change, delete, and display records in any database file. Customers can also search System i data, sort records, update multiple files at once, and create grids so users can enter information directly into the database. IData works by feeding XML to web browsers, enabling end users to scroll through DB2/400 tables in realtime and letting developers use Ajax programming techniques to use less overhead. Profound Logic Software. 937-439-7925. profoundlogic.com.

E-commerce

Inovis Tool Simpifies Trading Between Businesses

Inovis unveils Inovis Webware, an e-mail-like forms solution that enables any web-capable company to participate in trading communities without a complete e-business platform. With Webware, customers can exchange documents electronically with trading partners by using browser-based forms and while remaining EDI compliant. The solution features a web-based EDI-to-forms translation service, an e-mail-like interface, role-based access, and document tracking. Users can configure, manage, and control forms for their community and customize forms for specific transactions. Inovis. 877-446-6847. inovis.com.

Security

Townsend, Balabit Team to Provide Central Log App

Patrick Townsend & Associates and BalaBit IT Security announce an alliance that brings syslog-ng, Balabit's enterprise system logging application, to the System i. With the partnership, Townsend will sell and support syslog-ng solutions on System i and other platforms.

Syslog-ng features centralized system logging, content-based filtering, rich filtering capabilities, and flexible configuration options. The solution offers TCP-based communication, and users can sort and classify messages based on parameters, including source host or application.

System i customers can combine syslog-ng with the Townsend Alliance LogAgent solution to collect IBM security audit journal messages, system operator console messages, IBM Apache web server logs, and security logs from open systems applications, including OpenSSH, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. P.A. Townsend and Associates. 800-357-1019. patownsend.com.

Education and Training

Manta Upgrades CBT System, Adds Ajax Course

Manta Technologies, Inc., goes live with its Manta System i Training Forum (mantatech.com/forums), a chat room devoted to training-related issues in the System i environment. The forum is free, and Manta authors and technical support personnel monitor the site for questions that are related to their courses or areas of expertise. Forum topics include security, work management, iSeries Access for Windows, RPG, SQL, and Java. Users can also comment on Manta training courses and suggest new products.

Manta also announces addition of an audio component to its System i computer-based training courses. New controls enable students to select the types of audio files they hear (e.g., none, sound effect only, or sound effect plus voiceover). The first series to include audio is "Introduction to the System i Environment."

Finally, Manta offers a new computer-based training course, "Ajax Programming." This course provides System i programmers with skills to implement Ajax applications. The course gives users a background in Ajax technology and describes JavaScript control of the HTTP request object. Users can view Ajax in action, including processes such as passing parameters to a server and receiving data in the form of character strings, HTML fragments, or XML. Users can also see how to dynamically incorporate data into a web page and how to add elements such as tables and pull-down lists that are built from data retrieved from the server. The course also covers encoding parameters and other special situations. Manta Technologies, Inc. 800-406-2682. mantatech.com.

Application Software

Oracle Deploys Accelerator Tool for JDE EnterpriseOne

Oracle Corporation supplies the Oracle Business Accelerator Authoring Tool for Oracle's JD Edwards' EnterpriseOne 8.12. Oracle Business Accelerators are tools, wizards, and workflows that enable users to perform best-practice implementations of various solutions. The solutions feature an automated setup tool that configures end-to-end business flows with customer setups and data. The new solution enables users to design and build interactive questionnaires to address specific customer requirements within EnterpriseOne. Oracle Corporation. 800-672-2531. oracle.com.

Programmer Tools

Zend Upgrades PHP Foundation Product

Zend Technologies, Ltd., launches Zend Core 2.5, the latest version of its open-source PHP development and production environment that helps developers create web versions of legacy System i applications. In addition to a new Windows-based installation, changes to Zend Core 2.5 include a bundled copy of the most current release of MySQL for i5/OS database for V5R4 and a bundled MS SQL extension, which enables access to MS SQL data from PHP programs running on i5/OS. The update also includes IBM HTTPSVR support for Zend Core Apache. Zend Technologies, Ltd. 408-253-8800. zend.com.

Document Management

ACOM Offers Doc Access via Phone, Content Manager Upgrade

Users of ACOM Solutions Inc.'s EZContentManager (EZCM), a web-based enterprise content-management solution that's compatible with the System i, can now access, manage, and distribute documents from remote users via the BlackBerry smartphone. Because of a partnership between ACOM Solutions and WICKSoft Corporation, users can now access any document or capability in EZCM available from a desktop from their BlackBerry. EZCM, a web-based content and document management system, enables companies to centralize corporate files of any type from any source in a single password-secured data repository, with browser-driven retrieval and distribution.

ACOM also releases EZCM 3.3.1, an upgrade that includes an add-on module that enables users to search for specific items located anywhere within EZCM without leaving their desktop applications. Designated EZRetrieve, the module integrates searches as a thick client in Microsoft Windows and the 5250-emulation green-screen environment to provide a direct connection with EZCM from any point in an application. The add-on is compatible with all ERP and business management software systems and features user-definable hot keys and unlimited users within the site license. ACOM Solutions, Inc. 800-699-5758. acom.com.

Programmer Tools

Linoma Updates Modernization Solution

Linoma Software presents RPG Toolbox 4.0, a new version of its RPG modernization solution. RPG Toolbox 4.0 uses native System i commands to modernize RPG applications for System i shops and enables conversion of both RPG III and IV source code to the latest RPG IV syntax in either fixed format or RPG/Free style. This new release will also clean up unused RPG source code. For customers using V5R4 or later, a new feature will convert embedded SQL into its /FREE form equivalent. In addition, the new release of RPG Toolbox includes a new Clean RPG Source (CLNRPG) command, which can be used to quickly find, and optionally remove, unused definitions and logic in RPG source code. Linoma Software. 800-949-4696. linomasoftware.com.

Programmer Tools

ARCAD Software Enhances ALM Suite

ARCAD Software launches ARCAD Skipper 8.06.06, the latest iteration of its application life-cycle management suite for the System i. The latest version offers integration with Microsoft Visual Studio and compatibility with WDSc 7. Also in version 8.06.06, Skipper incorporates the use of Apache Ant, a Java-based build tool, for all transfers to production in a multiplatform scenario. The update adds an XML file history of all actions performed on each manipulated component, as well as a rollback function. ARCAD Software. 800-676-4709. www.arcadsoftware.com.

Security

PowerTech Updates Realtime Security Event Capture Tool

The PowerTech Group unveils Interact 2.0, an upgrade of its enterprise security management component for System i servers. Interact harvests and filters events from QAUDJRN, QSYSMSG, and QSYSOPR message queues, then forwards event information to the appropriate employee. With version 2.0, Interact can now integrate with ArcSight, Cisco, IBM (ISS), Symantec, TriGeo, and OpenService. Additional features in Version 2.0 include support for Syslog and realtime paging or alerting, as well as simplified reporting. The Powertech Group. 253-872-7788. powertech.com.

Backup and Recovery

Shield Updates Data Protection Solution

Shield Advanced Solutions announces Receiver Apply Program (RAP) 2.0, its journal receiver apply program for the System i. RAP provides data protection and disaster recovery for the i5. New features in RAP 2.0 include object and profile replication, object and file auditing, a built-in system-role switch process, and improved configuration. The latest release also interacts directly with Shield's JobQGenie product. Shield Advanced Solutions. 519-940-1192. shield.on.ca.

Systems Management

Help/Systems Enhances Web-based Access to Automation Suite

Help/Systems releases Robot Browser Interface 2.0, an upgrade of the web interface for its Robot/SCHEDULE, Robot/SPACE, Robot/NETWORK, Robot/REPORTS, and Robot/ALERT products that helps System i users group report recipients, design a specific web page for each group, and send system messages. The update enables current customers, depending on their product of choice, to view and filter jobs, view colored icons of job types and status, add notes to reports, and view, save, and print System i reports, among other functions. Robot Browser Interface works with any standard web browser. Help/Systems, Inc. 952-933-0609. helpsystems.com.