WRQ Bridges Legacy-Web Skills Gap, Extends Host Applications to New Users
Announcement posted by WRQ Software 25 Oct 2002
WRQ Verastream Host Integrator 5.0 Extends Legacy Applications by Automating Web Application Development
SYDNEY, October 24, 2002 WRQ announced the release of WRQ Verastream Host Integrator 5.0, with the goal of bridging the costly skills gap that has limited the extension of critical host applications to new business users. New Verastream enhancements are designed to help IT departments integrate host-based legacy systems with Web applications, by adapting and reusing data and business logic.
Companies have recognized that simply reformatting legacy screens to look like Web applications is not enough to extend full legacy functionality to a wide variety of business users. Original cryptic codes and convoluted business functions are confusing when the legacy application is extended to a new set of business users, eliminating any value in the technology investment.
The growing IT skills gap between integration and Web developers underscores the important role WRQs component-based integration methodology plays in incorporating legacy systems across the enterprise. Integration developers typically focus on extracting information from the legacy system, while Web developers emphasize the presentation and functionality of the final Web page or application. New Web Builder features bridge the divide, by offering a user-friendly environment to automate each stage of the development process as legacy functionality is extended to Web applications. Verastream provides a single platform that takes customers through each stage of the legacy integration process.
Legacy integration projects typically move along a continuum, from basic Web enablement to more advanced projects, such as composite applications, said Dale Vecchio, research director at Gartner. As user and application needs become more sophisticated, legacy resources need to be aligned to new business processes. Companies will eventually move beyond presentation improvements to a more component-like approach to legacy integration.
At the touch of a button, integration developers now can generate Web pages and applications automatically with Verastream. Deployed as is or reformatted with any standard Web design tool, the resulting Web pages can simply change the look of a legacy screen or represent complete host functions from multiple screens. Web Builder applications also can be used to test legacy components before they are passed on to Web developers for incorporation into new applications. For more sophisticated development needs, Verastream automatically generates Java beans from the legacy components. Developers then use standard Java IDEs (integrated development environments) to build more complex Web applications.
With the new Verastream Web Builder, customers can get started quickly with three layers of abstraction and expand legacy-Web integration projects in incremental phases. First, host screens can simply be made available via the Web; a change typically required by users who are familiar with business process. In the second level, legacy functionality is presented in a more intuitive way; the look and feel is similar to that of a Web page. Finally when fuller integration is required, standard components that encapsulate host functions are used as building blocks for more complex applications.
Enhancements to this new version of Verastream include the following:
Design Tool
Host screens can be automatically converted to Web pages and presented as is.
Legacy functionality can be abstracted to make the Web application more intuitive.
The ability to mix and match these features gives developers the tools to create Web applications that are the most appropriate for each audience, in the least amount of time.
Component Generator
Java beans are created around the legacy components.
Web services are generated automatically from legacy components.
The component interfaces can be accessed from the IDE of the developers choice.
Web Application Generator
Web applications are automatically created from the componentized legacy application, and functionality spans multiple screens.
Resulting applications can be edited by any JSP-compatible design tool.
The legacy developer can use the auto-generated Web pages to test each component before it is passed to the Web development team. Previously, teams would either work with untested components or spend time developing testing applications.
Currently available worldwide, Verastream Host Integrator is designed specifically for screen-based legacy applications. Using the components generated with Verastream, users can build Web applications that integrate information from a broad range of host types, including IBM OS/390, IBM AS/400, UNIX, HP e3000 and OpenVMS.
WRQ Products
Supported by quality consulting services and technical support, WRQ Reflection and WRQ VerastreamTM transform IT obstacles into opportunities. Reflection solutions are designed to simplify and reduce the costs of accessing applications and data on host systems. These solutions offer important added value by allowing businesses to take advantage of new technologies for increased security, broader access and improved administration. Building on WRQs expertise in host-intensive environments, Verastream solutions are designed to help customers integrate vital data, applications, and business logic across the enterprise. With Verastream, businesses can adapt and reuse existing data and business logic trapped in host legacy systems without altering original code.
About WRQ
For 22 years, WRQ has been making host applications more agileproviding our customers with the flexibility to evolve as information and competitive needs change. With over 6 million users in 51 countries, WRQ is one of the largest privately held software companies in the US. We are consistently rated #1 in service and support. To learn more about our Reflection and Verastream products, visit www.wrq.com/products.
###
WRQ, Inc. and WRQ products are trademarks or registered trademarks of WRQ Inc. All other trademarks, trade names or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.
For more information:
WRQ
Paulina Saliba
02.9964.9215
paulinas@wrq.com
Companies have recognized that simply reformatting legacy screens to look like Web applications is not enough to extend full legacy functionality to a wide variety of business users. Original cryptic codes and convoluted business functions are confusing when the legacy application is extended to a new set of business users, eliminating any value in the technology investment.
The growing IT skills gap between integration and Web developers underscores the important role WRQs component-based integration methodology plays in incorporating legacy systems across the enterprise. Integration developers typically focus on extracting information from the legacy system, while Web developers emphasize the presentation and functionality of the final Web page or application. New Web Builder features bridge the divide, by offering a user-friendly environment to automate each stage of the development process as legacy functionality is extended to Web applications. Verastream provides a single platform that takes customers through each stage of the legacy integration process.
Legacy integration projects typically move along a continuum, from basic Web enablement to more advanced projects, such as composite applications, said Dale Vecchio, research director at Gartner. As user and application needs become more sophisticated, legacy resources need to be aligned to new business processes. Companies will eventually move beyond presentation improvements to a more component-like approach to legacy integration.
At the touch of a button, integration developers now can generate Web pages and applications automatically with Verastream. Deployed as is or reformatted with any standard Web design tool, the resulting Web pages can simply change the look of a legacy screen or represent complete host functions from multiple screens. Web Builder applications also can be used to test legacy components before they are passed on to Web developers for incorporation into new applications. For more sophisticated development needs, Verastream automatically generates Java beans from the legacy components. Developers then use standard Java IDEs (integrated development environments) to build more complex Web applications.
With the new Verastream Web Builder, customers can get started quickly with three layers of abstraction and expand legacy-Web integration projects in incremental phases. First, host screens can simply be made available via the Web; a change typically required by users who are familiar with business process. In the second level, legacy functionality is presented in a more intuitive way; the look and feel is similar to that of a Web page. Finally when fuller integration is required, standard components that encapsulate host functions are used as building blocks for more complex applications.
Enhancements to this new version of Verastream include the following:
Design Tool
Host screens can be automatically converted to Web pages and presented as is.
Legacy functionality can be abstracted to make the Web application more intuitive.
The ability to mix and match these features gives developers the tools to create Web applications that are the most appropriate for each audience, in the least amount of time.
Component Generator
Java beans are created around the legacy components.
Web services are generated automatically from legacy components.
The component interfaces can be accessed from the IDE of the developers choice.
Web Application Generator
Web applications are automatically created from the componentized legacy application, and functionality spans multiple screens.
Resulting applications can be edited by any JSP-compatible design tool.
The legacy developer can use the auto-generated Web pages to test each component before it is passed to the Web development team. Previously, teams would either work with untested components or spend time developing testing applications.
Currently available worldwide, Verastream Host Integrator is designed specifically for screen-based legacy applications. Using the components generated with Verastream, users can build Web applications that integrate information from a broad range of host types, including IBM OS/390, IBM AS/400, UNIX, HP e3000 and OpenVMS.
WRQ Products
Supported by quality consulting services and technical support, WRQ Reflection and WRQ VerastreamTM transform IT obstacles into opportunities. Reflection solutions are designed to simplify and reduce the costs of accessing applications and data on host systems. These solutions offer important added value by allowing businesses to take advantage of new technologies for increased security, broader access and improved administration. Building on WRQs expertise in host-intensive environments, Verastream solutions are designed to help customers integrate vital data, applications, and business logic across the enterprise. With Verastream, businesses can adapt and reuse existing data and business logic trapped in host legacy systems without altering original code.
About WRQ
For 22 years, WRQ has been making host applications more agileproviding our customers with the flexibility to evolve as information and competitive needs change. With over 6 million users in 51 countries, WRQ is one of the largest privately held software companies in the US. We are consistently rated #1 in service and support. To learn more about our Reflection and Verastream products, visit www.wrq.com/products.
###
WRQ, Inc. and WRQ products are trademarks or registered trademarks of WRQ Inc. All other trademarks, trade names or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.
For more information:
WRQ
Paulina Saliba
02.9964.9215
paulinas@wrq.com