white paper HP e3000 Business Servers Graphical User Interfaces Enhancing the HP e3000 User Interface
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Style of Access: Desktop-based and Session-based . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Web Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Introduction Until recently, the predominant user interface on the HP e3000 was a terminal-based connection. Today, computer users require a more robust, user-friendly interface. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) now provide a low learning curve, better ease of use and a more attractive interface than simple ASCII text. With the explosion of the Internet, a browser-based user interface is often required.
2 The three most common ways to generate a simple terminal interface are: • VPlus. This screen forms-management package, bundled with the MPE/iX operating system, offers easy availability and high performance. Many applications have been written to use it. • 4GL. Forth Generation Languages have been available on the HP e3000 since early in the platform s history. These third-party products provide a terminal interface as part of their offerings. • Homegrown.
3 Web Access Most implementations of the user interface enhancement methods are being expanded to include Web access. Additional security and data encryption must be addressed when adding Web access. These methods can be desktop- or session-based, depending on their specific implementations. They also can have Web-based deployment capabilities. For more information on this topic, see the HP white paper, “Web Enabling Your HP e3000 Applications and Data Access.
4 4GL 4GL is available on the HP e3000 and provides an easy way to develop GUIs. Most 4GL providers have migration paths for their existing users to move to the GUI interface, often with client/server implementation. 4GLs can also allow users to integrate the power of the 4GL with their legacy code. (Please see Appendix D for advanced 4GL products.) Screen Intercept Vendors are providing a way for a desktop process to run a terminal session.
5 Appendix A: VPlus Conversions Bradmark vb-view™ vb-view revolutionizes VPlus applications by allowing you to painlessly migrate from your old terminal emulator to a fully functional GUI environment. vb-view leverages existing applications on the HP e3000 by providing a migration path from Hewlett Packard‘s VPlus terminal-based applications to a true client/server environment. vb-view utilizes the information embedded in Hewlett Packard forms files as input to a Visual Basic project generator.
6 For more information, please visit: www.bradmark.
7 LegacyJ HP e3000 Java Remote Client An introductory article describing overview information about the HP e3000 Java remote client concept and architecture. Overview Our computing environments continue to evolve and many of the issues we address in our journey are those of speed (throughput), reliability, maintainability, security, accessibility and cost of operation. The HP e3000 is an important component of our computing infrastructure.
8 The architecture incorporates into the existing infrastructure. It is scalable and extends capabilities of the business environment and allows for the evolution of business applications. No runtime or user runtime fee is required to use the remote client connectivity. Middleware ViewJ is the middleware component of the MPE remote client software enabling the VPlus applications to communicate with the remote client from the HP e3000.
9 VPLUS+ VPLUS+ is a set of Java classes that can communicate with existing VPLUS applications running on your HP e3000. VPLUS+ allows you to use Java to web-enabled, or use the Java foundation classes to place a graphical front-end on your VPLUS applications. Usually NO programming changes need to be made to your existing application. We redirect the VPLUS intrinsic call to communicate with our Java classes.
10 Appendix B: Enhanced Terminal Emulators AICS QC Term—The Next Generation Terminal Emulator Simplicity and Instant Compatibility The oldest and most common interface to an HP e3000 is a standard HP terminal. The terminal interface has intrinsic advantages in that it is exceptionally efficient and easy to program. More importantly, a terminal is automatically compatible with any programming language. COBOL and BASIC are as readily useful in this environment as are Java or C++.
11 AICS Van Gogh The Automatic Code Generator for QCTerm Van Gogh is the accompanying development environment for QCTerm, designed to be as simple to use as possible and so inexpensive as to allow it to readily affordable by anyone. Two modes exist in QCTerm: that of 1) a standard HP 700/92 terminal emulator and 2) a much enhanced graphical interface mode, called “Van Gogh.” It is this second mode that will change your mind regarding what’s possible when creating an HP e3000 interface.
12 ScreenJet™—A New View for Your HP e3000 GUI (Graphical User Interface) for New and Existing Applications ScreenJet allows HP e3000 users to move painlessly to a GUI interface with maximum impact and minimum disruption. Information ScreenJet is only available from the Internet at: www.millware.
13 As the ScreenJet Client contains an HP 700/92 Emulator, all the applications used by a client will be automatically enhanced via the AutoGui whether written in-house or supplied as a package. Likewise Designer can be used to add enhancements to a supplied package application for which no source code is available.
14 Minisoft User Interface Products—Javelin and Web Dimension Javelin delivers legacy host information to the desktop via the point-and-click interface of Internet browsers. In just a 90K Java applet, Javelin provides precise emulation of HP2392A and HP700/9X terminals allowing for quick and reliable connectivity to HP, or UNIX host applications from PC, Macintosh, Linux and UNIX workstations.
15 WRQ Reflection This white paper explains how WRQ Reflection products provide an ideal solution for HP e3000 customers who wish to modernize the look and feel of their current host applications. There is no question that host systems like the HP e3000 continue to be important—it is estimated that today, approximately 70% of valuable information and business logic is stored on legacy systems.
16 As host systems find new roles to play in the emerging world of e-business, WRQ is there to help. With WRQ Reflection products, you have a choice between WRQ Reflection for HP featuring Windows-based terminal emulation or WRQ Reflection for the Web, which provides web-based terminal emulation. WRQ continues to evolve its products and services to meet customers’ host access needs. For more information about WRQ terminal emulation solutions, please see http://www.wrq.com.
17 Appendix C: Client/Server Conversions Level 8—Web-enabling the HP e3000 Platform Geneva Message Queuing Since 1996, Level 8 has been working with Microsoft to meet the interoperability needs of enterprise developers. The result is Geneva Message Queuing (GMQ)—the simple, reliable, cost effective Windows messaging solution for the enterprise. Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ) is the popular message queuing subsystem integrated with the Windows family of products.
18 Solution Pattern Implementation On the front-end or presentation tier of this multi-tier application we see a browser-based client application using Microsoft’s Active Server Page (ASP) technology. Active Server is Microsoft’s Web Server based technology for embedding “Server Side” scripts in otherwise static HTML code (used for presentation on the browser).
19 OSCAR C/S Workbench for MPE OSCAR’s development, productivity and run-time management tools allow you to harvest, revitalize and indefinitely extend the useful life of legacy HP e3000 applications in: • New client/server development, • E-Commerce via the Web, and • Peer-2-Peer integration of applications—turnkey, ERPs, legacy—on one or a combination of mid-range server platforms (e.g.
20 During analysis, OSCAR is capturing Application information and component subroutine information such that OSCAR can generate encapsulation middleware. The middleware is necessary to network-enable each subroutine with a distributed API. User Interfaces developers, upon registering use of a services, also receive the “client” middleware, in 100% generated form. The “client” middleware is generated to match the User Interface platform and language told to OSCAR by the developer.
21 Quest Software—NFS/iX and NetBase Client “Webify” Existing Applications Quest Software’s Middleware Solutions for MPE provide a gateway to open systems environments that is flexible and easy to use, allowing heterogeneous platforms and relational database management systems or file structures to coexist with seamless efficiency. These solutions make resources on any system on the network available to all users.
22 Bradmark Technologies StarMan™ StarMan, from Bradmark Technologies, Inc., takes CA-MANMAN into the future by bringing web-enabled functionality to the HP e3000. Via a unique distributed processing model, StarMan eliminates the need for direct connection to the HP e3000, and brings data processing for CA-MANMAN into a GUI environment. StarMan utilizes PC-GUI technology to replace terminal screens providing users a faster, more intuitive interface.
23 For more information, please visit: www.bradmark.
24 Appendix D: Advanced 4GL Products Cognos™ PowerHouse™—Web, Windows and Terminal Interfaces From a Single Program Cognos has been providing its high-productivity PowerHouse application development tools to the HP e3000 community for over 20 years. PowerHouse is widely used to build and maintain core business applications as it often delivers developer productivity gains of up to 90% when compared with traditional 3GLs such as COBOL.
25 Windows-Based Development with Web, Windows and Terminal Deployment Axiant 4GL, a core member of the PowerHouse family, provides a robust and highly productive Windows-based integrated development environment (IDE) for building and maintaining PowerHouse applications that, from a single source, can be deployed in a variety of flexible and scalable Web-based, Windows client/server, or terminal-based server topologies.
26 Speedware Autobahn—The Leader in Web-enabling HP e3000 Applications Speedware Autobahn offers the first and only Web Application Server specifically designed for the HP e3000. Speedware Autobahn’s Open Web Architecture integrates current Web technology into your HP e3000 environment while leaving the door open for future technologies.
27 Security Speedware Autobahn incorporates two additional layers of Web application security to the industry’s standard measures. Multiple built-in security functions restrict initial access to transaction-oriented Web applications while Re-access Authentication ensures that the initial user is the only one who can re-access that process. Speedware Autobahn provides you with the means to securely do business on the Web.
28 Visual Speedware—Graphical Enterprise Client-Server Solutions See the Difference with Visual Speedware Visual Speedware is the only development tool that fully integrates Microsoft Visual Basic on your HP e3000 and expands its power to an enterprise client-server environment. With Visual Speedware you create and deploy robust applications with a graphical interface that users prefer.
29 Cut Development Time Visual Speedware integrates application development for both client and server components in one tool. Several timesaving wizards simplify such vital tasks such as defining and prototyping databases, designing forms, creating code, and binding graphical objects to variables and nonprocedural activities. Put a New Face on Your HP e3000! The days of the “green screen” are gone.
30 Appendix E: Screen Intercept Computer Associates Opal Opal embraces the huge investment associated with character-based applications, including those on the HP e3000 platform. Opal is a set of products that modernize legacy applications by giving them a modern GUI interface, allowing them to be deployed on the web, and by integrating multiple screens, applications and data from ODBC databases.
31 Success study: interBiz’s MANMAN/Insight MANMAN™ is a manufacturing and ERP product now in its 11th release. MANMAN/Insight, available on both the HP-3000 and VAX platforms, brings the ease of Windows applications, the power of multimedia, and the capabilities of the Internet to MANMAN. MANMAN/lnsight was developed using Opal, and is now successfully in production in a number of client sites.
32 Visual Magic Empowering your HP e3000 applications for the Web Visual Magic allows you to: • Use normal terminal emulation for the HP e3000 • Convert MPE VPlus applications into 2-tier client server architecture • Web-enable HP e3000 applications using 3-tier architecture • Transfer data to Excel and integrate applications Terminal Emulation and Electronic File Transfer In a conventional MPE interface the application runs on the MPE host and accessed by the user through a dumb terminal or through an em
33 This VB application in the client can now be customized to add graphical interface or modified to integrate and interoperate with other applications. During the conversion, Magic looks at the legacy application as an object, and looks at the MPE application through the eyes of the users (not the application developer). Therefore, it may be useful to customize the MDI forms into SDI forms. This client VB application will then be released to the end users.
34 Appendix F: Windows Applications Bradmark’s Command Center The use of multiple systems has increased the complexity of managing a computer environment. Operating just a single system requires a number of tasks that take time and effort to accomplish. The HP e3000 MPE/iX operating system remains a command-line driven environment, which challenges the efficiency and effectiveness of system managers.
35 With Bradmark s Command Center, HP e3000 customers are now able to: • Monitor system performance and health—Tracking the vital signs of the operating system is automatic, freeing operators from reviewing each system individually. Now management is by exception, allowing time to perform other tasks. • Centralize all console messages—Console messages can be viewed in centralized locations. Color-coded filtering feature allows for message prioritization and alerting.
36 Bradmark’s WinMPE Bradmark’s WinMPE takes the tedious task of managing or using the Command Line Interpreter in MPE/iX into the simple and efficient world of a Windows interface. From moving and copying files to managing accounts, users, groups, and more, WinMPE provides the easiest way to perform MPE/iX tasks. The use of multiple systems has increased the complexity of managing a computer environment. Operating just a single system requires a number of tasks that take time and effort to accomplish.
37 With Bradmark’s WinMPE, HP e3000 customers can perform tasks based on results desired ó not commands required. With a few clicks of the mouse, they can copy or move complete application environments across accounts and servers. WinMPE has an interface that is easily understood and familiar to the newest generation of Windows users and is able to perform the majority of system administrator and operator tasks through the Windows GUI.
38 Millware TheDash™—A New View Into Your HP e3000 The Dash is free of charge and provides an intuitive interface to manage and control your HP e3000 and its users and applications. Chargeable modules will be introduced to provide increased depth of functionality. Information TheDash is only available from the Internet at www.millware.
39 Internet/Intranet Usage TheDash is designed to be runnable from within a browser. If your HP e3000 is web enabled then you can use TheDash to provide remote system diagnostics and management. The web connection can be identified as an application and the status will be displayed on the monitor permanently. When the status changes (for example if JINETD aborted), an audible warning can be programmed as well as being displayed as a red light. Additional Functions TheDash will be enhanced over time.
40 GUI3000—Modernizing the HP e3000 Interface The purpose of this paper is to show how to “modernize” the user interface to your HP e3000. As HP e3000 skills unfortunately become scarcer, and the use of Windows PCs extends to an extent that a great percentage of the population is familiar with the interface, GUI3000 attempts to bridge the gap. GUI3000 presents the user with the familiar “explorer” type interface from Microsoft for every day management of files on the HP e3000.
41 This gives us several benefits over the traditional “dumb screen” interface.
42 Robelle Qedit™ for Windows™—Windows-enabling the HP e3000 Qedit for Windows client/server software provides a modern Windows interface to HP e3000 source code development and text file editing. Consisting of a Windows editing client and an MPE/iX editing server which are connected seamlessly through the TCP/IP protocol, Qedit for Windows can edit any type of file available on the HP e3000.
43 Flexibility Qedit’s flexible design accommodates a wide range of work methodologies “out of the box.” For more in-depth customization, Qedit comes with its own scripting language (the “Qedit Scripting Language” or “QSL”) which allows users to customize the software so that it understands their IT environment: servers and configurations; IT processes; and departmental rules and standards.
44 Whisper Technology’s Whisper Programmer Studio—The State-of-the-Art Editor and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for HP e3000 Programmers Traditionally, HP e3000 programmers have used Editor, Quad, Qedit, or other terminal based editor for application development. Meanwhile on windows platforms, the development toolkits have evolved into the sophisticated Integrated Development Environments (IDE) available today, such as Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland’s Delphi.
45 Further details and a fully functional 30-day evaluation copy of Whisper Programmer Studio can found on our web site: www.whispertech.com Contact Information: Graham Woolley Whisper Technology Limited US toll-free: 888-465-8145 International: +44 1372 360080 E-mail: graham.woolley@whispertech.com All trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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