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LANSA Cuts Cost of IBM i Web Enablement with aXes

aXes offers a unique solution for 5250 host access in a crowded and potentially confusing market.
  • 29 September, 2009 10:00

LANSA, whose creed is Advanced Software Made Simple, has completed a major upgrade to the aXes product suite that it acquired six months ago. This new version of aXes introduces a design workbench from which IBM i 5250 screens can be rendered with Rich Internet Application functionality and look-and-feel.

aXes is already used by hundreds of organisations to provide “on-the-fly” browser-based access to their 5250 applications. There is a growing trend for users of 5250 applications to require a simple and dependable way to access their host systems over the Internet without incurring the complexity and cost of VPN, Terminal Services, or other remote access technologies. aXes was the first native IBM i Web-enablement product with true zero-deployment at the client and the ability to scale up to thousands of concurrent users without modifying or upgrading the IBM server.

aXes eXtensions go beyond the faithful reproduction of a 5250 terminal session in a Web browser to provide a range of screen customisation options and drag-and-drop GUI enhancements. The near-instant result is a Rich Internet Application that gives users a satisfying Web experience that is also a springboard to the full modernisation of a legacy system. LANSA does not claim to be delivering the first such modernisation solution into the IBM i marketplace – it is a crowded and potentially confusing market – but aXes is unique in several important ways.

Firstly, aXes has true zero-client deployment architecture with no software to install on the client and only a few small programs running on an IBM i server. Other modernisation tools often have hidden drawbacks that add to their complexity and adversely affect their security and/or reliability, e.g., dependency on proprietary Microsoft ActiveX controls or Java applets sensitive to browser configurations; or the need for additional software like a J2EE or Windows application server with an expensive footprint. LANSA conducted market research during the due diligence phase of the aXes acquisition that revealed dissatisfaction with existing Web-enablement and modernisation tools. Users particularly vented their frustration with the network issues caused by firewalls blocking the ports required by non-Web connections like Telnet and VPN. The aXes product suite employs the standard HTTP/S (ports 80/443) protocols to avoid any such network configuration problems – so if you can access Google from where you are, then you can also access your host system.

It is of great comfort to new and existing customers that aXes is now a part of the LANSA stable. LANSA is the largest independent vendor of application development, integration and modernisation solutions in the IBM i market with over 22 years of experience and a truly global and diverse customer base. There has been an acceleration of corporate failures during the Global Financial Crisis and buyers are scrutinising the viability of small or local vendors. LANSA is seen by many in the IBM i community as one of the safest ports in this economic storm. Furthermore, since coming into the LANSA fold, aXes has been integrated with LANSA’s flagship modernisation solution – RAMP. This combination provides a complete end-to-end modernisation solution from a modest Web-enablement project through to full-blown application transformation; a journey that can be completed step-by-step, at your own pace – using a single skill set and software platform.

The new aXes eXtensions complement the out-of-the-box functions available to current aXes users:

* Remote SQL Query access that provides an easy way to extract and then publish live DB2/400 data in a browser or to send query output to desktop applications like Microsoft Word and Excel.

* Point-and-click access to output queues, spool files and reports over the Internet, with print-ready documents available in PDF, XML, HTML, or text formats.

* Systems administration via an online, zero client method of managing user sessions and checking server statistics. This functionality provides Helpdesk visibility to each user's screen experience via session “parking” and “shadowing” for ease of application and technical support.

The aXes product suite runs natively on an IBM i server (System i, iSeries, AS/400) and, in true zero-deployment style, no additional software is required on the desktop or mobile device – just a Web browser. aXes comes with its own lightweight Application Server to avoid expensive hardware or operating system upgrades. An affordable licensing model consists of a low base price with per session or per server options. A free evaluation version of aXes can be found at www.axeslive.com

About LANSA LANSA is a leading provider of application development, modernisation and integration software. LANSA's powerful suite of cross-platform tools lets organisations overcome the complexity inherent in creating and maintaining business applications. With aXes in the portfolio, LANSA provides the tools to address the entire modernisation process from initial refacing through to complete redevelopment. LANSA’s integrated tool set is also the technology foundation for a wide range of business solutions from LANSA and over 300 Business Partners. Established in 1987, LANSA supports thousands of companies around the world with its products and services. For more information, please visit www.lansa.com

Editors Contact:

Americas: Greg Best +1 630-874-7109 greg.best@lansa.com

Asia Pacific: Marjanna Frank +61 (02) 8907-0249 marjanna.frank@lansa.com.au

EMEA: Ian Piddock +44 1727 790386 ian.piddock@lansa.co.uk

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1. Make it clear that the policy is not about playing ‘Big Brother’ but to ensure the security of employees, company information and data and to safeguard the company’s reputation.
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3. Convey the message of flexibility – with regard to social media, it is not about blocking staff usage but working in everyone’s interests to ensure that threats are contained.
4. Introduce a regular company-wide training programme that everyone attends at regular intervals throughout the year, not merely as part of an induction programme.
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Phil Vasic is Regional Director, APAC, at Clearswift, the software security company www.clearswift.com
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