Business Computer Design, Int'l. (BCD) has released V1.6 of Clover, BCD's real-time IBM i Web reporting and querying tool. Clover now has the ability to import query definitions from IBM Query/400 and output them as real-time Web reports, graphs and spreadsheets-bringing new life to thousands of existing reports that have been defined in IBM's 20-year-old query and reporting tool.

BCD offers Clover as an IBM i query and business intelligence tool, which enables users and programmers to rapidly design real-time Web reports, queries, and executive dashboards for display in browsers. Clover's report templates make it easy to write reports in minutes with totals, subtotals, level breaks, drill-downs and graphs. Clover also has advanced reporting features to handle dynamic library lists, change management, prompting for runtime values for record selection and calling existing back end RPG programs or reports. It also gives you complete control over the appearance of your reports.

In a poll conducted by BCD of 80 organizations that own an IBM i, the average number of Query/400 queries they have is between 200 and 500, while 10 percent of them have more than 1,000. Most of these shops are looking to move beyond the limited output options of Query/400, which can only output reports as spool files, database files, or send them to a printer. It also has very constrained report design capabilities. Of utmost importance to these IBM i professionals is the ability to retain the query definitions, as rewriting them was often out of the question. They also needed the ability to deliver modern, interactive reports with powerful design capabilities. Some shops had already looked at IBM's Query/400 replacement offering, IBM DB2 Web Query, and were not satisfied with it. Clover, which has unlimited user licensing, is an affordable and powerful alternative to DB2 Web Query.

In Clover 1.6, users can now import Query/400 query definitions to create real-time Web reports that can be output as dynamic, real-time Web pages with prompts and filters, as spreadsheets, graphs and as interactive drill downs. The following query options are all retained: selected fields, file joins, calculated fields, sort fields, comparisons and level breaks. You can further customize and modify the imported queries in the Clover IDE with the codeless SQL wizard. You can also completely customize the appearance of your report, overcoming a major constraint of Query/400. End users can then access all these professional looking reports from a browser; no other PC software is required.

Secure, organized Access to Reports with Nexus

Customers often have difficulty managing and deploying Query/400 reports, but BCD's Nexus Portal makes it easy for you to secure and organize Clover reports (either ones created from imported Query/400 definitions, or brand new ones created directly in Clover). Clover fully integrates with Nexus Portal, a license free portal that is hosted on the IBM i. Nexus provides a secure login so users only see the reports they are authorized to see. It also includes a menu system that makes reports easy to access and no programming or HTML knowledge is required to set up the portal. Nexus can also be used to control access to your web applications, Web pages, documents and includes free productivity tools such as a spool file viewer, 5250 emulator, calendar, to do lists and document management.

Availability and Pricing

Clover is available for download at BCD Software. A license includes an unlimited number of end-user and developer seats. Since Clover is browser-based, client seat licenses are not required.

If you have questions regarding Clover, please contact BCD at (630) 986-0800, or forward your request via e-mail to sales@bcdsoftware.com. A product specialist can answer any questions or schedule a Live Web Demo at your convenience.