Midrange Stuff, OS/400 Edition--Original Launches New Module for WebSphere MQ Testing

Original Software has added to its iSeries testing suite a new module for checking WebSphere MQ applications. TestMQ plugs into Original's TestBench for iSeries suite of tools to allow unified testing of WebSphere MQ messages, along with testing of traditional OS/400 applications. Original, based in the United Kingdom, worked closely with IBM's Rochester, Minnesota, labs to develop TestMQ, using a new technique to access WebSphere MQ on the OS/400 server.

TestBench for iSeries is Original Software's flagship product, providing script-based testing and debugging for programs, databases, screens, reports, and many other aspects of OS/400 application development. More than 300 companies in North America and Europe use the software, which Original claims is the most successful OS/400 testing suite available.

Several add-on modules are available for TestBench that let companies test different application architectures. TestDRIVE is for 5250 programs, TestGUI is for client/server applications, and TestWEB is for testing Web clients. With the newest module for TestBench, TestMQ, companies can now extend TestBench's automated testing capabilities to WebSphere MQ programs running on iSeries servers.

TestMQ gives users the capability to automate tracking, testing, checking, and verifying WebSphere MQ server processes. In addition, the new module enhances TestBench's capability to extract data and to provide maintenance, environment protection, and central script and results storage, including thorough testing of the PC processes, the vendor says.

Original worked with IBM Rochester for five months to develop TestMQ. As a result of this collaboration, Original decided to use IBM's Crossing Point APIs in TestMQ to track, capture, and analyze WebSphere MQ messages that are sent and received by OS/400 applications. Thirty-five operating systems support IBM's Message Queue technology, and the messages are platform-independent by design. TestMQ will provide testing for messages sent from any of these systems to an OS/400 server.

Doug Fulmer, an IBM iSeries sales executive, says Original showed "inventiveness and skill" in using the APIs and supporting WebSphere MQ. "Original Software has worked with Rochester to develop a new use of IBM's new Crossing Point APIs, to track and analyze all significant MQ events," Fulmer says. "This clearly demonstrates how partners can use IBM technology in highly innovative ways to satisfy user requirements, and to create opportunities for themselves in the process."

Larger OS/400 shops around the world are "rapidly adopting" WebSphere MQ, says Colin Armitage, Original Software's chief executive. "It was clear that support for the technology in TestBench would be essential to maintain and enhance the product's competitive edge," he says.

TestMQ requires the latest version of IBM's MQ software, WebSphere MQ for iSeries Version 5.3, as well as the TestBench product. The software is available now from Original Software. Licenses are $14,000. For more information, go to www.origsoft.com.

This article has been corrected since it was first published. The article originally stated that TestMQ, the new module for Original Software's TestBench for iSeries suite of tools, provides data extraction, maintenance, environment protection, and central script and results storage, including thorough testing of the PC processes." In fact, TestMQ enhances these capabilities. Guild Companies regrets the error. [Correction made 11/11/03.]