Enhancing the HP e3000 User Interface

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. The generated project compiles, executes, and is ready to use “straight

out of the box”.

Only standard Microsoft VB controls such as buttons, labels, and text boxes are utilized. The

resulting project can then be enhanced with the full range of Visual Basic features and custom

controls including task bars, tool tips, shortcut menus, calendar processing or bar charts,

making VPlus applications quicker and easier to use.

On the HP e3000, vb-view appears to be a session. HP UDCs are still executed. MPE/iX and

third party security systems are enforced. Each session has it's own temporary file domain.

vb-view separates the functionality of the HP e3000 from the user interface. It keeps the stable,

reliable product in the background and adds a modern, PC-based front end. The well-known

forms remain the same, and are used in the same manner as they are on a dumb terminal. But

now, with vb-view, the user can:

• Navigate with a mouse

• Use drop-down list boxes to facilitate the selection of codes

• Obtain micro-help on individual fields

• Use calendars for date input

• View easy-to-read color screens

• Easily rearrange and customize forms

• Take advantage of the document management capabilities that vb-view adds to VPlus

applications

Some of the benefits to HP e3000 customers who use vb-view include:

• Extending the life of your HP e3000 and your current applications

• Decreasing cost of program changes

• vb-view connects with middleware, rather than ODBC, making vb-view very fast

• Reducing the cost of staff training

• Attracting and retaining staff

• Increasing user and customer satisfaction

In short, moving to Bradmark s vb-view allows you to leverage your existing HP e3000 server-

centric applications.