18
Thu, Apr
5 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. MORE
  4. Commentary
  5. Analysis of News Events
  6. IBM to Put HATS on iSeries Access Family

IBM to Put HATS on iSeries Access Family

Analysis of News Events
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

If your company wants to access the iSeries via the Internet, there is something you should know before you select a 5250 application modernization tool. About two months from now, a new tool from IBM known as WebSphere Host Access Transformation Server (HATS) will become part of the iSeries Access Family of products.

While it may seem that IBM is adding another Web enablement tool to its confusing array of such products, rest assured that HATS will not increase the confusion. According to my sources inside the computer giant, HATS is an alternative to WebSphere Host Publisher (WSHP) that will gradually replace the later tool. Like WSHP, HATS dynamically converts 5250 and 3270 applications into HTML without having to access the underlying source code. However, unlike WSHP, HATS utilizes wizards and other features that make it more usable by IT professionals with minimal Web development skills. At the moment, HATS still lacks some of the more robust functions of WSHP. Over the next several years, however, IBM intends to incorporate these functions into HATS so that it can retire the older tool.

While HATS has been on the market since the end of last year, most iSeries shops are unaware of it because it is only available as part of IBM's WebSphere Host Integration Solution suite of tools. While most iSeries shops use tools in the iSeries Access Family--formerly known as the Client Access Family--and the WebSphere Development Studio for iSeries, only a fraction use WebSphere Host Integration Solution. The one tool from this suite that iSeries professionals use the most is WSHP, and that is only because it is included in the V5R1 and V5R2 editions of the iSeries Access Family.

Sometime near the end of June, however, IBM intends to include a limited edition version of HATS in iSeries Access Family V5R1 and V5R2 as well. At that time, HATS Limited Edition will be made available for free to iSeries Access Family license holders under their Software Subscription or Software Maintenance contracts. At this point, the IBM team in charge of HATS has not yet decided which of HATS' existing features will be included in HATS Limited Edition. All we can be certain of is that HATS Limited Edition will only convert 5250 applications, leaving the 3270 conversion capabilities to the full edition.

While HATS will be a welcome addition to the Web-enablement toolkit of iSeries professionals, many of them will wonder whether to use HATS or IBM's WebFacing Tool to convert their 5250 screens. With that in mind, I have created the following table that compares the two tools to each other. Please note that the information on HATS is based on the full edition found in the WebSphere Host Integration Solution. Though HATS Limited Edition will lack some of these features, it will conform to most of the specifications shown below.

 

A Comparison of WebFacing and HATS
WebFacing
HATS Full Edition
Programming Features
Application conversion capabilities
5250 only
5250, 3270, and VTxxx applications (Limited Edition will convert 5250 only)
Conversion performed
Converts DDS source code into JavaServer Pages, JavaBeans, and servlets
Dynamically converts 5250 applications to HTML "on the fly"
Source code requirements
Requires DDS source code
Does not require DDS source
Screen flow capabilities
Retains the existing screen flow; difficult to change flow without Java programming skills
Can easily change screen flow and combine/consolidate screens using rules-based engine in HATS
Screen customization
Supports high levels of customization via style sheets and Java programming
Supports high levels of customization via style sheets
Graphical controls (drop-down menus, radio buttons, etc.)
Requires some Java skills to add graphical controls
Easier to add graphical controls than WebFacing Tool
Integration with WebSphere Portal
Converted applications cannot be immediately integrated into WebSphere Portal Server
Converted applications can be immediately integrated into WebSphere Portal Server
Skills requirements
Requires an understanding of Java development tools and methods to fully use
Requires little or no understanding of Java development tools
Support Requirements
Browser
Supports Internet Explorer on Windows clients only; JavaScript support required
Supports IE, Netscape, Opera on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX clients; only requires HTML support
Application server
Requires WebSphere Application Server 3.5 (OS/400 V5R1 only), WAS 4.0, or WAS 5.0
Requires WAS 4.0 Advanced or WAS 5.0
Operating system
OS/400 V5R1 or V5R2
OS/400 V5R1 or V5R2
5250/Interactive Requirements
Does not generate 5250/interactive overhead
Does generate 5250/interactive overhead
Packaging and Pricing
Included in:
WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries
WebSphere Host Integration Solution (Limited Edition will be part of iSeries Access Family)
Pricing
Processor tiered pricing
Processor tiered pricing

As the above table indicates, the WebFacing Tool and HATS differ in several important aspects. Unlike the WebFacing Tool, HATS does not require DDS source code. This makes it suitable in situations where the DDS source is not available, such as system screens and many applications from software vendors. In addition, applications converted via HATS can be read by a variety of browsers and client operating systems. This may be important if your organization supports multiple client operating systems or if you are Web-enabling your applications for customers whose browser capabilities are unknown. HATS is also simpler to learn and use than the WebFacing Tool.

On the other hand, applications converted via HATS will still impose interactive workload requirements on the iSeries servers that IBM announced in January. If you want to run a new iSeries server without interactive workloads so that you can avoid paying for the Enterprise Edition of that server, HATS is not for you. If you have Java skills, you will also find that the WebFacing Tool provides greater abilities to customize applications and integrate them with other systems. There is also the open issue of what functions IBM will include in HATS Limited Edition. If the feature set is relatively limited, it may leave iSeries shops with no choice but to use the WebFacing Tool or buy the WebSphere Host Integration Solution suite that contains the full edition of HATS.

As you can see, IBM's application modernization tools still pose a host of dilemmas and tradeoffs for iSeries programmers. With HATS, however, IBM now offers a tool that is definitely designed for developers with little or no Java- or Web-development skills. This could make HATS attractive to many iSeries shops that lack these skills and need a simple way to Web-enable their green-screens. Of course, we won't know just how attractive HATS could be until the Limited Edition makes its debut within the iSeries Access Family two months from now. If IBM gives me a sneak preview, I'll be sure to let you in on the details.

Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LEE KROON
Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$0.00 Raised:
$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: