Retailers that rely on JDA Software‘s i OS-based Merchandise Management System (MMS) have several updates to look forward to in the coming months. While MMS customers will have to wait a bit longer than originally expected for the new GUI in MMS 7.5 that JDA showcased at its user conference this spring, the software giant is already scoping out a version 7.6, which is currently targeted for 2011. The company also clarified its long-term strategy for MMS customers, which is contingent on the Java-based framework obtained with Manugistics.

JDA originally planned to ship MMS 7.5 last month. The biggest

Enterprise application integration is one of those painfully complex IT topics that people tend to shy away from. Want a sure-fire way to clear out a business meeting or induce sudden narcosis? Start debating the merits of various object request broker architectures. One IT vendor that’s trying to make enterprise integration more approachable is Cicero, a North Carolina outfit that develops a desktop automation product that offers a non-invasive way to connect applications running on all types of platforms, System i included.

Neil Crane, director of product development for Cicero, has lots of experience dealing with the physical and

System i shops that installed ultra density optical (UDO) storage technology from the bankrupt company Plasmon may be left wondering where to get service and media for their UDO investments. One option is Alliance Storage Technologies, which bought Plasmon’s assets in January, but which is not honoring old Plasmon maintenance contracts. Another option is former Plasmon partner Phantom Data Systems, which sells optical storage systems that, like UDO, is based on Blu-ray technology.

The details surrounding the demise of U.K.-based Plasmon are a bit murky. What is clear is that, in October 2008, Plasmon Ltd. went into administration,

Are you concerned that you may have credit card numbers or Social Security numbers lurking in the dark recesses of your IBM Power Systems (System i, iSeries, AS/400)? Then you might want to download the free Find Database Fields (FNDDBFLD) tool that Linoma Software recently made available, and know for sure.

Power Systems shops around the world are working to comply with the data security requirements laid down by the Payment Cardholder Industry group, or PCI. Some of the most challenging aspects of PCI compliance are the requirements for the handling of credit card data in retail settings. PCI requires

Bytware recently launched a new release of its StandGuard Security product for i OS. With version 4.5, the software gains new auditing functions and a greater capability to manage security policies. Previously, StandGuard focused primarily on network security and exit point monitoring for System i servers, but Bytware’s new owners, Help/Systems and the Audax Group private equity group, foresee StandGuard playing a larger security role for its customers.

StandGuard Security (formerly StandGuard Network Security) is a collection of security modules aimed at helping administrators get a handle on the native security functions built into i OS (i5/OS). The suite includes

mrc has boosted support for Mozilla‘s Firefox Web browser in its m-Power Web application development tool. Last month the vendor announced that m-Power’s customers can now use the m-Painter interface development tool from within Firefox, in addition to Internet Explorer. Several other enhancements in m-Power should make it easier to develop and maintain Web applications that run on the System i and other platforms.

m-Power is collection of development tools mrc first rolled out in 2004 for creating Web applications, reports and queries, dashboard interfaces, and business intelligence apps on top of existing databases. The software relies heavily on

Image Integration Systems, a developer of the DocuSphere document and content management software used by hundreds of JD Edwards shops, has inked a deal with ProStor Systems, the vendors announced last week. The partnership is intended to make it easier for DocuSphere customers to take advantage of ProStor’s InfiniVault and RDX removable disk technology, which combines the speed of disk with the disaster protection and compliance aspects of tape.

Colorado-based ProStor launched its RDX removable disk technology nearly four years ago with the idea of providing a disk-based alternative to tape and optical-disk products for long-term storage. While

10ZiG Technology (formerly BOSaNOVA) last week unveiled a new print management product called ProximityPrint Q (PPQ) that’s aimed at ensuring the security of printed materials, while tracking printouts and reducing waste at the same time.

PPQ is composed of a physical device that’s installed at the printer or copiers (see Figure A.) and software that installs on the server. Print jobs are held on the server until a user is authenticated at the device with an RFID-enabled smartcard.

To help combat the higher rate of application failure among service oriented architecture (SOA) applications than traditional non-SOA applications, software testing specialists Original Software is teaming up with Green Hat, who are experts in automated SOA testing, the vendors announced last week.

According to a report issued last year by Gartner, SOA applications tend to break more as the result of core application failures than traditional non-SOA applications. Specifically, the IT analyst group predicted that, through 2010, 60 percent of unplanned downtime for SOA-based, loosely-coupled applications will be the result of application failure, compared to 40 percent for

The implementation of a high availability solution can be a bumpy road for even the highest skilled System i (Power Systems) professionals. However, without a way to ensure the continuity of computer-based processes during a disaster or outage, the damage to a company’s reputation can be extensive. Managed System i high availability provider SafeData listed six benefits of a managed, or outsourced, HA implementation in a new white paper.

In its new white paper, titled “High Confidence in IBM iSeries High Availability: Six Ways Businesses Can Win Big with High Availability Managed Services,” SafeData makes the case that HA solutions