m-Power Gets Calculation Enhancements

March 24, 2009 Alex Woodie

System i shops using the m-Power development tool from mrc will find several new enhancements added in recent weeks, including a completely refreshed calculation screen that looks and functions just like a programmable calculator, and better overall performance, the vendor says.

m-Power is a Web development tool used to build Web portals, dashboards, business intelligence programs, and other Java-based applications. The software, which utilizes a model-based development approach, automatically generates SQL, thereby minimizing the level of user technical skill required, no matter which platform the data resides on.

Last week, Chicago-based mrc announced an update to m-Power that improves several aspects of the product, including its SQL calculation function. According to mrc, the redesigned screen looks and operates just like a programmable calculator, which will make it more appealing to users.

The update also brings several other new features to the calculation function, including the capability to call user defined functions, external objects, or system values. Users can also create their own SQL functions, the company says.

Performance–which is always a topic of interest for System i fans when SQL or Java are involved–has also been improved with this release. The company says that all calculations that don’t involve Java functions now occur in the database, which will “drastically improve application performance” in some circumstances, mrc says.

Brian Crowley, mrc’s development director, raves about the new speed. “This enhancement is exciting because it not only adds to m-Power’s industry-leading efficiency, but increases overall performance as well,” he says in a press release.

m-Power can be leased or purchased. Leasing options start at $10,000, while licensing programs start at $28,800. For more information and demos, see the company’s Web site at www.mrc-productivity.com.