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Today's drag-and-drop prototyping applications could turn designing a modern interface into child's play.

chris_smithWritten by Chris Smith

Designing colorful, artistic, and user-friendly interfaces is not something that RPG programmers generally could claim on their resumes. With the advent of Web services and mobile applications, as well as the increasing acceptance of Rational Open Access RPG Edition to help facilitate output to mobile and tablet devices, designing attractive UIs is something programmers may soon be asked to do in the future with greater frequency. One solution for those of us who didn't minor in graphic design could be to use a wireframe tool.

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IBM is now offering support for a number of popular open-source components to its Eclipse-based rapid application development (RAD) tool.

chris_smithWritten by Chris Smith

With the emphasis on mobile applications and social networking, many shops today are trying to figure out the best way to address these user requirements, the vast majority of them intended for department, branch, or partner access. For most of these needs, a solution running on Lotus Domino can work quite well, and recent enhancements to IBM Lotus Domino Designer mean a developer can create a sophisticated cross-platform Web or mobile application in a matter of days that will impress both users and management.

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By bringing practical tools and advanced techniques to how you test, the costs and risks associated with testing can be reduced dramatically.

Written by Databorough Services

The following article is an extract from the white paper "A Visual Guide to Cost-Effective Testing on the iSeries," available for download free from the MC White Paper Center.

 

Managers and developers working with legacy RPG and COBOL applications face serious testing challenges. Few, if any, of these applications have a complete set of specifications of how the applications should perform, and even fewer have a complete library of test cases. Results from over 12,000 software projects show that detecting and removing defects is the single most costly task in software development.

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An affordable cloud-based development environment for SMBs, the solution promises to be a quick Web application builder for business users and one that developers can utilize to shave hours off time spent programming.

chris_smithWritten by Chris Smith

In our continuing search for tools that can help developers build or extend applications easily and quickly, we turn our spotlight on RapidBiz, a development toolset from VACAVA, an IBM Business Partner that was named a finalist earlier this year in the annual IBM Beacon Award competition.

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You can try one at no charge since it's already included with the operating system.

chris_smithWritten by Chris Smith

A study a few years ago concluded that software bugs cost the U.S. economy alone more than $59 billion annually and that more than a third of that waste could be avoided through better testing. Newer development models, such as Agile, frequently employ test-driven development, which means the developer is being asked to shoulder an increasing portion of the testing before software is sent to the team of formal testers.

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Use context-specific prompting in WebSphere Development Studio Client to speed up your programming.

mike_faustWritten by Mike Faust

Have you ever forgotten the specific parameters required by an RPGLE function or a rarely used op code? Before you pull out the old RPGLE manual, there's an easier way. In this tip, I'll discuss how to use the context-sensitive prompting functionality built into WebSphere Development Studio Client and how to extend that functionality to make it even more useful.

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Create database-interfaced Web applications for IBM i in five minutes—for free!

Written by PlanetJ Corporation

WOW CE 7.0 is a free rapid application development (RAD) tool for IBM i that can build robust Web applications or serve as a query and reporting tool similar to Query/400 or DB2 Web Query. It features dynamic runtime selection, drill-downs, and one-click MS Excel downloads that can be created by simply selecting a target database file. WOW applications are Web-based and can easily integrate with RPG for data access where desired. WOW CE requires Apache Tomcat or IBM WebSphere and can run on any Java-enabled system, including IBM i, Linux, or Windows.

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Zend Technologies and Adobe Systems integrate a pair of Eclipse-based tools, giving developers a single interface for building both Web and mobile apps.

chris_smithWritten by Chris Smith

If you've been waiting to figure out a strategy to handle native mobile applications, then your wait may have paid off.  A new tool developed by Zend and Adobe that is built on Eclipse and leverages both PHP and Flash technologies may be the light out of the darkness.

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  • White Paper: Node.js for Enterprise IBM i Modernization

    SB Profound WP 5539

    If your business is thinking about modernizing your legacy IBM i (also known as AS/400 or iSeries) applications, you will want to read this white paper first!

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  • Profound Logic Solution Guide

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  • 2022 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results

    Fortra2022 marks the eighth edition of the IBM i Marketplace Survey Results. Each year, Fortra captures data on how businesses use the IBM i platform and the IT and cybersecurity initiatives it supports.

    Over the years, this survey has become a true industry benchmark, revealing to readers the trends that are shaping and driving the market and providing insight into what the future may bring for this technology.

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    FortraBrunswick is the leader in bowling products, services, and industry expertise for the development and renovation of new and existing bowling centers and mixed-use recreation facilities across the entertainment industry. However, the lifeblood of Brunswick’s capital equipment business was running on a 15-year-old software application written in Visual Basic 6 (VB6) with a SQL Server back-end. The application was at the end of its life and needed to be replaced.
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  • Progressive Web Apps: Create a Universal Experience Across All Devices

    LANSAProgressive Web Apps allow you to reach anyone, anywhere, and on any device with a single unified codebase. This means that your applications—regardless of browser, device, or platform—instantly become more reliable and consistent. They are the present and future of application development, and more and more businesses are catching on.
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  • Why Migrate When You Can Modernize?

    LANSABusiness 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.
    In this white paper, you’ll learn how to think of these issues as opportunities rather than problems. We’ll explore motivations to migrate or modernize, their risks and considerations you should be aware of before embarking on a (migration or modernization) project.
    Lastly, we’ll discuss how modernizing IBM i applications with optimized business workflows, integration with other technologies and new mobile and web user interfaces will enable IT – and the business – to experience time-added value and much more.

     

  • UPDATED: Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond

    Profound Logic Software, Inc.Having trouble getting management approval for modernization projects? The problem may be you're not speaking enough "business" to them.

    This Developer Kit provides you study-backed data and a ready-to-use business case template to help get your very next development project approved!

  • What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires

    FortraIT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators is small.

    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:

    • Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
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  • Node.js on IBM i Webinar Series Pt. 2: Setting Up Your Development Tools

    Profound Logic Software, Inc.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. In Part 2, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Attend this webinar to learn:

    • Different tools to develop Node.js applications on IBM i
    • Debugging Node.js
    • The basics of Git and tools to help those new to it
    • Using NodeRun.com as a pre-built development environment

     

     

  • Expert Tips for IBM i Security: Beyond the Basics

    SB PowerTech WC GenericIn this session, IBM i security expert Robin Tatam provides a quick recap of IBM i security basics and guides you through some advanced cybersecurity techniques that can help you take data protection to the next level. Robin will cover:

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    Don't miss this chance to take your knowledge of IBM i security beyond the basics.

     

     

  • 5 IBM i Security Quick Wins

    SB PowerTech WC GenericIn today’s threat landscape, upper management is laser-focused on cybersecurity. You need to make progress in securing your systems—and make it fast.
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    Your system didn’t become unsecure overnight and you won’t be able to turn it around overnight either. But quick wins are possible with IBM i security, and Robin Tatam will show you how to achieve them.

  • Security Bulletin: Malware Infection Discovered on IBM i Server!

    SB PowerTech WC GenericMalicious programs can bring entire businesses to their knees—and IBM i shops are not immune. It’s critical to grasp the true impact malware can have on IBM i and the network that connects to it. Attend this webinar to gain a thorough understanding of the relationships between:

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    There are a number of ways you can minimize your exposure to viruses. IBM i security expert Sandi Moore explains the facts, including how to ensure you're fully protected and compliant with regulations such as PCI.

     

     

  • Encryption on IBM i Simplified

    SB PowerTech WC GenericDB2 Field Procedures (FieldProcs) were introduced in IBM i 7.1 and have greatly simplified encryption, often without requiring any application changes. Now you can quickly encrypt sensitive data on the IBM i including PII, PCI, PHI data in your physical files and tables.
    Watch this webinar to learn how you can quickly implement encryption on the IBM i. During the webinar, security expert Robin Tatam will show you how to:

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  • Lessons Learned from IBM i Cyber Attacks

    SB PowerTech WC GenericDespite the many options IBM has provided to protect your systems and data, many organizations still struggle to apply appropriate security controls.
    In this webinar, you'll get insight into how the criminals accessed these systems, the fallout from these attacks, and how the incidents could have been avoided by following security best practices.

    • Learn which security gaps cyber criminals love most
    • Find out how other IBM i organizations have fallen victim
    • Get the details on policies and processes you can implement to protect your organization, even when staff works from home

    You will learn the steps you can take to avoid the mistakes made in these examples, as well as other inadequate and misconfigured settings that put businesses at risk.

     

     

  • The Power of Coding in a Low-Code Solution

    SB PowerTech WC GenericWhen 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.
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  • Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i

    SB Profound WC GenericHave 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.
    Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.
    In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).
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  • The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security

    SB Profound WC Generic The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security
    Here’s the harsh reality: cybersecurity pros have to get their jobs right every single day, while an attacker only has to succeed once to do incredible damage.
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    Join this webinar to learn about the biggest errors made when securing a Power Systems server.
    This knowledge is critical for ensuring integrity of your application data and preventing you from becoming the next Equifax. It’s also essential for complying with all formal regulations, including SOX, PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA
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  • Backup and Recovery on IBM i: Your Strategy for the Unexpected

    FortraRobot automates the routine 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:
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  • Manage IBM i Messages by Exception with Robot

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  • Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports

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