Syspertec > Web gateways [modernisation of mainframe applications]

activities > communication gateways > Web gateways > Web Modernisation

Overview

Gateways

Web

Web Access

Web

Modernisation

Automatic Access Processors

Services

Direct access to the subjects covered:

> Tailor-made modernisation solutions

> Give your mainframe applications the best of Web 2.0

> Projects that are simple to install

> Our strengths

> Free Starter Edition

" The mainframe as a citizen of the Web:

sustainable application investments."

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to receive it in PDF format.

What the papers say

The myth and reality
of Web 2.0

An article from
JDN Solutions
(translation)

> Setup examples

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to receive it in PDF format

See our "flash" presentations

Web Modernisation

> See documentation

Test our solutions

With our Virtel Free Starter Edition, modernize for free your legacy applications.

To download our free starter edition,
click here

Transforming a central application into a dynamic Web application does not necessarily require rewriting or migration.

Central applications are a source of real capital for companies.
The result of many years of development and incorporating hundreds of transactions and millions of pieces of data, they are an essential support to the business processes of each company.
Their value, reliability and the quality of their technical environment in terms of performance and security are not in question.
However, user interfaces are often outdated and no longer correspond to current IT standards in terms of navigation and graphic charters. They often act as an obstacle and their usefulness is often debatable.
It is therefore essential to improve them in order to enhance productivity and ease-of-use.

SysperTec offers concrete solutions for modernising central applications without involving the risk of migrating or rewriting them, while at the same time capitalising on previous application investments.

These solutions are constructed around VIRTEL WEB software which acts as both a transactional communication monitor and an HTTP server installed on the host.

The techniques used make it possible to:

implement permanent, reusable and upgradeable solutions,
maintain the current levels of performance of applications,
achieve a very rapid return on investments (the ratio is at least 10 times lower than the cost of rewriting solutions).

The implementation principle is very simple:

Keep logical processes specific to the company on the host (transactions and data).
Redefine a new user interface through using all the possibilities offered by the Web.
Through the use of VIRTEL WEB, establish a dynamic dialogue between host transactions and data on the one hand and the new Web interface on the other.

Find out more about VIRTEL WEB architecture...

With the VIRTEL WEB Modernisation module, SysperTec provides different modernisation and development solutions for user interfaces, from simple 1-for-1 revamping to the creation of a truly dynamic Web interface. The application will then appear as a proper Web application while transactions and data continue to be held on the large-system platform.

The objective is to give users a new Web application interface that is easier to use, is perfectly adapted to their workstation and can also incorporate new functions if necessary.
These Web interfaces therefore help to reduce costs and the time required to train users while increasing their efficiency and productivity.

Tailor-made modernisation solutions

Through using the different possibilities offered by the VIRTEL WEB Modernisation module, SysperTec can adapt to the context of each customer in order to effectively meet their objectives and work to specific constraints.

In addition, SysperTec offers a gradual approach by implementing modernisation procedures on an application by application basis.
This makes it possible to:

not only achieve results quickly while reducing risks;
but also test the appropriateness of the performance and technologies recommended on a single project.

Principal objectives:
	Make improvements in terms of navigation, display and graphic charter.
	Completely overhaul the interface and transform it into a dynamic Web interface incorporating new navigation functions (dynamic list, menu etc.).
	Develop the application itself and give it a new Web interface.
	Create a composite Web interface from the various central applications.
	...
The most frequently encountered project contexts:
	Use or non-use of existing 3270 screens.
	No modification of code through implementation of a non-intrusive solution.
	Implement functional changes to the strong interface... or leave it as it is.
	Upgrade the functions of the application... or leave it as it is.
	The non-availability of teams.
	Delivery time constraints.
	Budgetary constraints.
	...

Some examples
of additional functions

Merging of n screens into one Web page.

Drop-down selection list.

Context-sensitive dynamic selection list.

Data entry area with predictive suggestions while typing.

Tick boxes.

Scroll bars.

Hypertext links.

Dynamic calendar zones.

HTML tables with the option of sorting by column.

Generation of Excel tables.

A generic navigation menu within the application.

3287 printouts in a window or in PDF format.

Automatic generation of PDF files including the data produced from an HTML page or a central site application.

Automatic generation of messages from a Web page (SMTP, fax, SMS etc.).

Management of incoming e-mail.

…

Give your mainframe applications the best of Web 2.0

As a transactional communication monitor and HTTP server installed on the host, VIRTEL WEB can very simply use the technologies of the Web to modernise the interface of mainframe applications. In this case, the application server no longer functions within a distributed environment but operates directly on the mainframe.

The use of REST architecture style and the integration of AJAX concepts in the VIRTEL WEB Modernisation module makes it possible to transform the applications of central sites into dynamic Web applications without the need to rewrite them.
This allows them to benefit from not only the latest technological advances but also from the dynamic possibilities of Web 2.0 (AJAX, JavaScript etc.).
This therefore increases the opportunities for upgrading and modernising the user interface.

Use of these technologies in the VIRTEL WEB Modernisation module means that companies are offered three major advantages:

The mainframe application is preserved without necessarily modifying it.

The interface is made more sophisticated without adversely affecting the performance of the application.

JavaScript libraries are used, and in particular those written by YAHOO, GOOGLE, DOJO etc.

Projects that are simple to install

In order to achieve these objectives, in many cases it is enough to simply set the parameters of VIRTEL WEB Modernisation; this is very different from solutions that require integral redevelopment of applications.

The new Web page models are created with conventional Internet tools.
No mainframe/web cross-disciplinary expertise is required. Each team works within its usual environment. VIRTEL WEB is responsible for managing exchanges.

New screens (transaction logic, data, Web-adapted presentation) are controlled from the host and created using the models (HTML, XML etc.) stored in VIRTEL.

In addition, SysperTec teams support each customer throughout the project implementation process and provide expertise in both of these environments.

About...

REST

AJAX

Outstanding technical architecture differentiating it from the competition

The performance of applications is unaffected.
Code is not dispersed over several platforms.
Security continues to be guaranteed.
Installation and operation are simplified.
Costs are controlled.

Future-proofing of previous application investments

Code stays on the mainframe, in a single place.
No application rewriting or migration.
Previous investments are capitalised on.
Applications become citizens of the Web.

The Web interface is independent

Transactions, data and the display of applications remain independent.
The latest technologies of Web 2.0 can be used to create the new interface.
Creation of the interface does not require any mainframe/web cross-disciplinary expertise.
The solution is future-proof and upgradeable: subsequent migration or redevelopment of applications in another environment will have no impact on the user interface.

The opportunities for modernisation are increased

While remaining on the host, central applications become truly dynamic Web applications, using the latest technologies of Web 2.0.
Use of AJAX technologies to create the interface limits degradation of performance.
The availability of a wide range of Open Source JavaScript libraries can be used to considerably enhance the user interface.
Because they are simple, the solutions offered can be adapted to the objectives and constraints of each project.

Control of costs

No rewriting.
No intermediate servers are necessary.
Does not require the use of JAVA, thus avoiding memory and CPU inflation as well as associated software costs.