News Briefs and Product Shorts

IBM Looking to Flesh Out iSeries Application Portfolio

IBM's new program to re-energize ISV interest in the iSeries platform is focused primarily at improving applications that are already on the platform, but that's not to say that IBM isn't keeping an eye on the possibilities of bringing new applications to the platform. A couple of years ago, IBM didn't see enough CRM systems on the platform, and that was the impetus for a lot of work it's done with its partner, Clear Technologies, which develops a Domino-based CRM package that runs on iSeries and other platforms.

So where are the holes today? What types of applications would IBM like to see brought to the platform? According to Doug Fulmer, the IBM executive in charge of worldwide e-business infrastructure, there are no gaping holes today. But some of the areas where the portfolio could use some shoring up include RFID, wireless, Web monitoring and performance, B2B item synchronization, and business integration software.

nuBridges Finalizes TrailBlazer Acquisition with Name Changes

nuBridges finalized its acquisition of TrailBlazer Systems last week when it officially changed the name of TrailBlazer's line of ZMOD Exchange products to nuBridges truExchange family of products. The company also announced that it has completed the move of TrailBlazer staff from their former location in Atlanta, Georgia, to nuBridges' corporate office in northern Atlanta. The truExchange family of products from nuBridges' eBusiness Solutions Group (formerly TrailBlazer Systems) runs on OS/400, Windows, and Linux servers, and enables companies to share data with their partners using transport methods like AS1, AS2, and AS3, FTP/S, and EDI. "iSeries solutions continue to be a priority for nuBridges, as they were for TrailBlazer, and these products are being enhanced with additional functionality from other nuBridges offerings," the company said in a statement.

IBM Lowers Cost of DB2 Content Manager for iSeries

IBM is lowering the cost of its DB2 Content Manager for iSeries and DB2 Content Manager OnDemand for iSeries products, it announced last week. DB2 Content Manager is IBM's "best of breed" document imaging and workflow solution that turns the DB2 database into a searchable repository for unstructured content, such as e-mails, documents, scanned images, and graphics. The optional OnDemand component provides near real-time access to documents as soon as they've been posted to the repository. It is being used primarily by banks. While specific pricing was not provided, IBM says changes under way in its product packaging will result in users getting more Content Manager bang for their buck. Specifically, IBM is now including DB2 Content Manger OnDemand for iSeries with every license for DB2 Content Manager for iSeries. IBM is also including the Content Manager Web Enablement Kit and the OnDemand Web Enablement Kit free of charge with DB2 Content Manager for iSeries. The Advanced Workflow component still costs extra. IBM is also replacing the previous processor-plus-concurrent-user pricing model with a new "authorized user" model with optional processor priced components. For more information, see IBM's Software Announcement 205-064.

ACOM Solutions Gains ServerProven Validation

ACOM Solutions's EZPayManager/400 and EZeDocs/400 applications have received the IBM ServerProven certification, the company announced last week. In addition to assuring prospective customers that ACOM's document management and payment processing applications have been successfully installed and used in real-world production scenarios, gaining ServerProven certification opens up a series of discounts on iSeries hardware for customers installing ServerProven applications on new iSeries hardware. "It will help customers lower their overall system acquisition costs and gives them first-hand assurance that our EZPayManager/400 and EZeDocs/400 solutions work smoothly and efficiently with IBM eServer iSeries systems," says Mike Eichner, ACOM's business development manager.

CA Unveils COBOL Code Migration Service

COBOL coders, take note: Computer Associates last week unveiled a new service to help migrate COBOL applications to J2EE or .NET environments. As part of its "Legacy Renewal Solution," CA says it can migrate COBOL applications for customers, while keeping their business rules and requirements in place. The new program makes use of CA partner EvolveWare's S2T Technology and CA's own AllFusion Gen development environments. First, EvolveWare's S2T Technology is used to automatically extract the business rules and data from the COBOL program using pattern-matching technology. The new code is then generated by AllFusion Gen using diagrams that mirror the customer's business requirements, CA says.

Geac Wins $800,000 Contract for System21 Extension

A Kellogg subsidiary has signed an $800,000 contract with Geac to extend its System21 ERP application with new product lifecycle management capabilities, the ERP software maker announced last week. Smart Shirts Limited of Hong Kong, which manufactures a range of products for many major brands and retailers, including Polo Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Claiborne, Land's End, Dockers, Timberland, and L.L. Bean, will implement a product lifecycle management (PLM) solution from RunTime, Geac's specialist division dedicated to the apparel and footwear industry. The RunTime PLM software, which Geac says runs on Intel-based servers, will complement Smart Shirt's OS/400-based System21 implementation with Web-based collaboration, visual merchandising, and mobility tools. The RunTime software is expected to be used across Smart Shirts locations in Asia and New York, and will enable tighter integration and coordination of operations such as shipments, orders, and deliveries across departments at Smart Shirts, Geac says. Charles Jones, Geac's president and chief executive officer, said Smart Shirts is the most significant win in Asia for Geac in several years, and validates its sales efforts in the region. "On the heels of our RunTime win at sportswear manufacturer Rip Curl in Australia, we are encouraged by the market traction Geac is achieving in the fashion and apparel sector in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.