® ibm software group © 2009 ibm corporation wondering about webfacing? september 2 2009 host...

®

IBM Software Group

© 2009 IBM Corporation

Wondering about WebFacing?

September 2 2009Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) Team

http://www.ibm.com/software/rational

IBM Software Group | Rational softwareIBM Software Group | Rational software

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Agenda

Introduction Packaging Deployment

New features HATS Going forward


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Introduction: A Little History

IBM WebFacing Tool

IBM WebSphere HATS

AS/400- iSeries Only SolutionBundled with IBM WebSphere Development Studio Client (WDSc)No Additional Deployment Cost - ran on AS/400-iSeries Internal Application ServerRan on cheaper AS/400 Batch models

Addressed both 3270 and 5250 re-facing requirementsRequired IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) for DeploymentRequired more expensive AS/400-iSeries Interactive hardware

Before 2006


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IBM WebFacing Tool

IBM WebSphere HATS



Before 2006 Jan 2006

Lower Tier Pricing for eServer iSeries"Out-of-the-box" integration of WebFaced and non-WebFaced applications in a browser Eliminated expensive HATS Interactive charge (Workload)

IBM WebFacing Tool with HATS

Technology (WDHT) V6.0.1


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IBM WebFacing Tool

IBM WebSphere HATS







IBM WebFacing and HATS projects can be deployed as one project (ear file).Rich Client Platform support introduced.

IBM WDHT v7.0

Feb 2007


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IBM WebFacing Tool

IBM WebSphere HATS







March 2008 and Beyond

IBM Rational HATS v7.1+

•Now one product for HATS and IBM WebFacing projects•WDHT Withdrawn from Marketing, •IBM WebFacing Tool Enhancements:

•WebFacing Tools now part of HATS toolkit•WebFacing Application Bridge —WebFacing applications can exchange host data with other Web applications •Support for Firefox

•HATS Specific Enhancements:Mobile Device Support IntroducedIndustry JSR 168 portlet support Visual Macro Editor introduced— Now much easier method of updating HATS Web services

IBM WebFacing and HATS projects can be deployed as one project (ear file).Rich Client Platform support introduced.

IBM WDHT v7.0

Feb 2007


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Agenda

Introduction

Packaging

Deployment

New features of WebFacing

HATS: current state and hot features

Going forward


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Packaging

IBM WebFacing Tool was part of WDSC1 up to Version 7.0

WebFacing Tool became a part of HATS2 toolkit in Version 7.1

IBM i application development portion of WDSC was repackaged into RDi3

WebFacing Tool users need to install a supported Rational software development tool such as RAD4, and then install RDi and HATS in the same package as RAD

IBM provides a bundle named RDi SOA5, which contains the HATS toolkit and includes all the prerequisites for the IBM WebFacing Tool except WebSphere Portal support

*1 WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries2 Host Access Transformation Service3 Rational Developer for i4 Rational Application Developer5 Rational Developer for i with SOA construction


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Packaging

WebFacing Tool is an optionally installable feature of the HATS toolkit

Advanced features of WebFacing Tool once part of WDSC AE1 are now part of HATS

Portal feature of WebFacing Tool requires either RAD or a flavor of RAD with base WebSphere Portal tooling

*1 Advanced Edition


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V7.0 V7.1

WDSC 7.0WDSC AE 7.0

WebFacingTool

WebFacing Tool part of WDSC

WebFacingTool

WDz3 7.0RAD-based

IDEs 7.0

HATSToolkit 7.0

HATS Toolkit

WDSC 7.0WDSC AE 7.0

WebFacingTool

WebFacingTool

RDi 7.1

RBD1 7.1

HATSToolkit 7.1

WebFacingTool

RDi SOA 7.1

Packaging, a Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

HATS Toolkit

1 Rational Business Developer2 Rational developer for z 3 WebSphere Developer for System z

RDi 7.1 RDi 7.1

RAD-basedIDEs 7.1

RDz2 7.1

RDi is only needed for WebFacing

Tool


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Agenda

Introduction

Packaging

Deployment



Going forward


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What Can Be Re-Faced?

IBM i Only SolutionRequires RPG/COBOL Screen

Data Definitions (DDS)

Can Transform any 3270 or 5250 Screen

The IBM WebFacing Tool HATS Toolkit


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Screen Transformation


One to One One to One orMany to One


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Screen Deployment Options


Requires RAD

GUI

GUI

Portal

Requires RAD

Portal

Rich Client

Web ServiceMobile


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Agenda

Introduction

Packaging

Deployment



Going forward


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WebFacing New Features (1)

Dynamic Data Stream Transformation Your WebFacing application will continue working even when it

encounters Unconverted DDS-based application screens Unconverted DDS-based system screens UIM-based application screens UIM-based system screens

HATS default rendering engine used for this feature

Available for both Web and portlet projects

Works on V5R4 and later

Your WebFacing application works with NO “DDS not converted” runtime errors!


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Interoperability with HATS WebFacing application and HATS application can be linked and

deployed as one enterprise application (EAR), with a single

runtime license

Allows DDS source-based application transformed

by WebFacing to interact with application transformed

by HATS

Benefits to WebFacing developers

– No source for part of host application

– HATS features desired

IBM i (V5R4 or later)WebFacing Server

HTML over HTTP(non-persistent) Internet, Intranet,

or VPN

WebSphere Application ServerClient Web Browser

CombinedEnterprise Application (EAR)

Shared connection to WF server (persistent)


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Customize each as separate projects HATS project

– Use HATS macros to automate application execution, control

application flow, combine data from multiple IBM i systems, etc.

– Improve the usability and attractiveness of screens by using

transformations and different rendering patterns WebFacing Project

– Customize pre-converted screen artifacts

– Convert the display files for the screens that are to be rendered by WebFacing

Seamless interoperability between WebFacing and HATS applications!


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Application Bridge Enables you to seamlessly interconnect new Web applications

(written with EGL for example) with WebFacing or HATS Allows you to quickly modernize using WebFacing/HATS at low cost Can iteratively add new function taking advantage of the latest Web technologies

Use the Application Bridge feature to pass data between Web applications such as EGL and WebFacing applications EGL or Web services allow you to access IBM i batch services or data from a Web application The application bridge allows you to link your new Web application to an interactive IBM i

application and share data

Green Screen

Application Bridge

WebFacing

HATS

Web/EGLComposite

Web/EGL, HATS, WebFacing Applications


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Application Bridge Scenarios From WebFacing, call another Web application with data; the Web

application does the necessary processing and then returns control

to WebFacing with the data updates.

Other Web application can also invoke a WebFacing application with data

and get the data updates back from WebFacing after it does the processing.

When used with the HATS/WebFacing Interoperability feature, you can make HATS and Web applications interoperate through the application bridge or make WebFacing, HATS and Web applications all work together.

Cost-effectively modernize existing applications to the Web, take advantage of the latest Web technologies to build your new applications, and have those existing and new applications seamlessly work together!


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Firefox Support WebFacing Web, portlet, HATS interoperability applications can now

run on Mozilla Firefox

Information about Firefox: Estimated market share is 20%-30% worldwide Available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms Provides a lot of useful add-ons, e.g., Firebug, Web Developer toolbar

Tips For a project migrated to V7.5, do a reconversion so the project can run properly in Firefox Write cross-browser code in your customizations

Want to test with an unsupported browser? WebFacing issues a WF0095 error stating that WebFacing requires Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater, or Firefox

V2.0 or greater

To avoid the above error, set the web.xml variable WFIgnoreBrowserTypeCheck to true

WebFacing supports multiple browsers (Internet Explorer 5.5 and greater, and Firefox V2.0 and greater), covering 90% of the global browser market!


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Limited Capabilities Users Support Limited capabilities users: user profile has the LIMIT CAPABILITIES

(LMTCPB) parameter set to *YES or *PARTIAL LMTCPB is used to prevent the user from running programs outside of the menus Works on V6R1 and later

WebFacing supports limited capabilities users on V6R1 and later!


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Agenda

Introduction

Packaging

Deployment



Going forward


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Host Access Transformation Services Summary

Rich Client PortalBrowser Mobile

• Integration at the desktop with other Eclipse-based applications

• Client side processing• Rich set of user

interface widgets• Supports Lotus

Expeditor deployment

• Integration at the glass

• Cooperative portlet support

• JSR 168 compliant

• Zero footprint• Pure HTML• Access through your

favorite browser, including Internet Explorer and Firefox.

• Access host applications from mobile devices

Quick ROI : Host applications can be quickly deployed with a new user interface Low cost : No need to rewrite application Low risk : Leverage open, proven platforms and technologies Increase productivity and reduce training costs Improving work flow from multiple applications Provides integration of host business processes and data with other Web, portal, and rich client

applications

• Build self-service transactions

• Expose host business processes as Web Services

• Provide controlled access to vital host applications and host data.

Web Services

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What’s Different About HATS Now?

IBM Rational Host Access Transformation Services is the strategic offering from IBM to transform 3270 and 5250 green screen applications.

The IBM WebFacing Tool development and deployment are now all part of HATS.

Reasons that had impacted HATS adoption in the past have been negated: Operating System Interactive workload requirement Higher cost Hardware requirement High deployment costs on IBM i


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Host Access Transformation Services (HATS)

What can you do with HATS? Quickly and easily create Web, portal or rich

client applications that provide an easy-to-use GUI for your green-screen applications Low skills requirement Highly customizable Iterative development process Transformation “on the fly”

Extend terminal application tasks as Web services

Benefits Extend host application to new users Improve the navigation of your host application Reuse your existing assets in a Service

Oriented Architecture Avoid rewriting applications (no impact to code)


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Improve Navigation & Productivity

Macros & Global Variables Skip unnecessary screens; combine screens; split screens, enter data on

behalf of the end user Store end user input as global variables to use again; pre-fill text entry

fields

Improve User Interface with Screen Customization Add buttons, hot links, drop-down menus, valid value lists, etc. Modify graphics, fonts, colors, and layout

Add business logic

Local print support

Native keyboard support

Security – HTTPs, SSL

Performance – HTTP Compression, Contention Resolution

Supports iterative development Default Transformation rules - fully functional HATS application on the

web quickly Customize Default Transformation rules Customize screens


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Achieving a Green Screen Look with HATS

HATS supports host colors and extended field attributes, including:

Numeric only, alphabetic only, signed numeric, reverse image, column separator, underline, and blink fields

Supports automatic field advance

Host keypad and OIA can be displayed (and positioned anywhere)

Native keyboard support (i.e. pressing F12 in the browser sends F12 to the host application).


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Global Rules and Valid Value Lists


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HATS Customized Transformation


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Combining Screens


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Combine and Integrate


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HATS Rich Client Overview

Extends host applications to the desktop. Applications run on: Eclipse RCP 3.2 or 3.3 IBM Lotus Expeditor Client 6.1.x

Provide a modern GUI interface to mission critical green screen applications.

Processing occurs on the desktop (WebSphere Application Server is not required)

Provides the capability to integrate host access applications with other applications on the desktop.

Alternative to traditional terminal emulator products.

Targeted at internal users in a controlled environment.


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What is HATS mobile device support?

HATS transformation applications can now be accessed by pervasive devices such as cellular phones, data collection terminals, and Personal Digital Assistants

This allows for the HATS developer to: Customize and transform individual screens Add business logic to screen interactions Enhance the presentation, layout, and flow of the original host systems

Supported browser: Internet Explorer Mobile 5.0 or later

Reminder: HATS Integration Object or Web service data can also be used in conjunction with mobile devices


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The Value of HATS SOA

HATS is an important part of the IBM SOA strategy! IBM SOA Foundation helps to extend the value of the applications and business processes that

currently run your business, not replace them.

HATS does not require application reengineering or rewriting Rewriting can consume significant amounts of time and resources. Rewriting requires access to and understanding of application source code. Rewriting inherently introduces new bugs that must be found and fixed. Simply put - rewriting is not an option for some customers!

HATS is unique HATS is the only IBM product that Web Service-enables 3270, including CICS and IMS, 5250, and VT

terminal applications – great for customers with a mix of applications (one tool can be used to enable all of them).

HATS generates standard Web Service interfaces HATS services can be integrated into an existing SOA.


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SOA with the HATS Visual Macro EditorWeb services are generated from macros. Macros can drive navigation, enter data, and retrieve data from VT, 3270, and 5250 (and WebFacing Server) applications.


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Other HATS SOA Capabilities

Connection pooling Automatically connects a specified number of connections at application startup. Connections can be

reused (this decreases connect/disconnect activity on the system).

Connect / disconnect macros Automatically signs on sessions at startup and signs them out when no longer needed.

User lists Signs on sessions using a set of predefined credentials. User list information can be encrypted.

Stateful or stateless interaction (even for Web services) Enables clients to have stateful interactions (i.e. the host session stays active between interactions)

with host applications using Web Services.


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Summary of HATS Features and Value Propositions

Host screens are converted to GUIs on the fly, in real time

Improved navigation of host application

Zero footprint on the desktop with Web deployment

Support deployment to Rich Client

Access host assets from mobile devices

Combine screens and data from multiple applications

Eliminates need to customize every screen

Generate Web services from host transactions

Exploits security & scalability of WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Portal

Extensible through IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform

Supports iterative development


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Agenda

Introduction

Packaging

Deployment



Going forward


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IBM WebFacing Tool Costs

IBM WebFacingTool

Cost Before Cost Now

Development Environment

Included with cost of WebSphere Development Studio (5722-WDS)

Ranged from $3,650* (P05) to $134,800* (P60)

Minimum of RDi SOA required

$2100* per Authorized User

Deployment Environment

Deployed on the WebSphere Application Server included with the iSeries Operating System [no additional charge].

WebFacing Project deploys to Integrated Application Server that is included at no charge with the IBM i Operating System.

Additional HATS Deployment costs:•$130*/Auth User

•$10.400* for a single core Power 520, JS23 or JS43 Blade running IBM i.

•$13,000* for a single core Power5 running IBM i.

•$15,600* for a single core Power6 running IBM i.

•$27,100* for a dual core Intel, $54,200* for a quad core Intel.

- Standard Retail Prices- Prices are subject to change without notice


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Resources: Official HATS Web site: www.ibm.com/software/awdtools/hats

Hotspot: http://www-949.ibm.com/software/rational/cafe/community/hats Blogs Various self-help documents Forums Find help from an IBM partner

Sandbox: www.ibm.com/developerworks/downloads/emsandbox/systemi.html Play with the HATS without installing

Trial download software: http://www-949.ibm.com/software/rational/cafe/docs/DOC-2952

Recent articles on WebFacing Tool “Wondering about WebFacing?” Published in Extra e-newsletter of IBM Systems Magazine,

IBM i edition August 2009 (http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/ibmi/enewsletterexclusive/26105p1.aspx)

“New WebFacing Features” Due to publish in IBM Systems Magazine, IBM i edition September 2009

Going forward

® ibm software group © 2009 ibm corporation wondering about webfacing? september 2 2009 host...

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