Armada Interactive

Legacy Mainframe and Client Server applications

The huge growth of client/server applications in the early 1990’s led industry pundits to sound the death knell of mainframe computing. Yet today, it is conservatively estimated that as much as 70 percent of legacy data still remains on mainframe systems, retaining its hold on mission-critical applications.

It is widely believed that not only will mainframe applications remain mission-critical, but that many organizations will see the innate ability of mainframe systems to function as high-end Intranet servers. Couple this with the investment required for legacy systems to handle the conversion to the new millennium (the year 2000), and it is clear why we at Armada Interactive believe this will lead to a new generation of mainframe applications.

It doesn’t take much analysis to realize that, given the choice of a costly re-write of mainframe applications or using a much less expensive and disruptive Internet solution, most companies will gladly choose the latter. It’s the quickest way to productivity. The quickest Return-on-Investment. The quickest way to greater profits.

Giving new life to current systems

Over the years, information systems have migrated from the monolithic application architectures of mainframes, through mid-frames, to client/server architectures. This evolution has provided ever more flexibility, scaleability and ease of integration of software components, to support an ever-changing business environment.

The Internet, the next major step in application development, brings the benefits of client/server distributed computing to a much broader audience. Advances in technology allow companies to continue to use their existing sources of information as they add new Internet-based information. The Intranet infrastructure allows for communication between all systems that supply valuable business solutions. This framework also addresses the need for a business to integrate their information and business processes with their partners.

Integration of legacy applications on disparate mainframe or midframe machines can be achieved using web-to-host interface software. Web-to-host gateway products are installed on a web server, or on a separate application server connected to the web server. They are designed primarily to access data on an IBM-compatible mainframe host, although some will also access midrange hosts such as the AS/400. Although their features and capabilities vary, they can be categorized into two basic groups: The first group comprises products that convert standard terminal data streams into a browser-compatible language such as HTML or Java. The second category is made up of tool-kit products that, besides the conversion function, provide a set of development tools to create new applications, delivering information to the browser using existing mainframe data and applications.

Making the right choices

The choice of tools depends upon the user’s current technical infrastructure and the future direction of their information systems strategy. Initial applications are usually limited to HTML conversion of text for operating and procedure manuals, followed by the use of development tools to integrate mission-critical systems and, ultimately, the development of new web-based applications, using the new development tools

Unlike client/server technology, the Internet architecture parallels the structured, centralized architecture of the mainframe. The tangible advantage of the simplified architecture is found in the lower cost of network and applications administration. Using a web browser for mainframe or midframe sessions solves the problem of working with multiple desktop platforms and centralizes administration and security.

Open, yet secure

The rapid mainstream acceptance of the Internet has created opportunities for fast, open communication and worldwide business activity. The momentum generated by the web is so significant that internal networks designed around Internet standards – that is , Intranets – are becoming the preferred way to distribute information in organizations. Yet, this momentum has raised concerns about data security in a system that anyone in the world can access.

Along with Internet’s and Intranets there is now emerging another level of technology called the Extranet. Extranets are a variant of the Intranet. While Intranets facilitate communication within companies, Extranets address the communication needs of industries that cross corporate boundaries.

Working with the latest encryption tools, Armada Interactive can provide secure solutions across the board, for the Internet (communication with the world at-large), Intranet (communication within your organization) and Extranet (communication with affiliated organizations).

Satisfying basic business needs

The basic needs of any organization, large or small, are few. They need accurate information and the proper tools to satisfy the requirements of their customers. Intranet technology offers a new way to meet those needs.

The end user expects an Intranet to be easy to use, fast and reliable. Consistent with all production systems, MIS needs an Intranet to be secure, cost effective, scaleable and manageable.

The new Internet based technology allows organizations to satisfy the old business adage of "getting the right information to the right place at the right time." This capability enables companies to find a way to bring everyone into the strategic planning process, harvesting the wealth of information and knowledge that often remains trapped or lost within an organization.

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Copyright � 1998 Armada Interactive LLC
Last modified: June 28, 1998

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