Profound Debuts Graphical Admin Interface for Web-Enabled Apps

August 5, 2008 Alex Woodie

In previous months, when customers Web-enabled their i5/OS or OS/400 applications using Profound Logic‘s on-the-fly tool, called Genie, they were required to set up and maintain the applications in a non-graphical environment. As a result of last week’s introduction of Genie Administrator, the Web-enabled applications can now be administered from the same Web-based interface that the applications run in.

Profound unveiled Genie about a year ago to provide System i and iSeries shops with a quick path to Web-enablement for their RPG and COBOL applications. The software uses AJAX techniques to automatically convert 5250 green-screen interfaces (including system screens and CL programs) into HTML-based graphical interfaces, based on the particular “skin” the user chooses.

Last week’s introduction of Genie Administrator makes it easier for developers to create their Genie applications. The new interface, which runs in standard Web browsers, enables users to define specific skin and template properties, such as the headings, footers, fonts, and colors that need to be applied throughout the environment. Users can also copy and delete environments (such as development, testing, or production) as necessary, or promote changes from one environment to another with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Genie Administrator also gives users the capability to make customizations, such as applying colors, converting function key labels into buttons, or turning menu options into hyperlinks. The interface can also be used to set global settings, such as applying calendars to date fields, enlarging screen headings, or hiding function key names.

“Instead of manually activating various features and settings by coding them into the application, the Genie Administrator allows you to be more productive with an easy-to-use interface to maintain all of your configurations on a global or per-skin basis,” says David Russo, Profound Logic’s project manager.

Alex Roytman, CEO of Profound Logic, says Genie Administrator reflects the company’s desire to make products that are easy to use, but that don’t sacrifice versatility. “We saw an opportunity to enhance Genie’s user experience with a centralized interface for managing many aspects of the tool, and that led us to create the Genie Administrator for our users,” he says.

Genie Administrator is available for trial with the current release of Genie. During installation, the software installs a URL on the user’s Web browser that links to Genie Administrator. Users then log in using their existing user profile. For more information or trial downloads, go to www.profoundlogic.com.