NEWS: SECURE TECHNOLOGY FOR WEB-TO-HOST INTEGRATION

IBM eNetwork Personal Communications Version 4.3 can improve host emulation management and usability

As Web-to-host integration becomes the pervasive model for host access, Personal Communications (PCOMM) Version 4.3 for Windows® 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT can give you an established platform and proven tools to help make the transition easy and cost-effective. This latest version provides all the advantages of PCOMM, such as multiprotocol support, a consistent look-and-feel, easy licensing options, and an open system architecture. In addition, PCOMM 4.3 includes new industry-standard APIs, enhanced application development capabilities, and the latest security features. Such enhancements can play a vital role in providing industry-leading terminal emulation capabilities that can help transform your business into an e-business.

As a key communications client component of the IBM Host Integration Solution for LAN, WAN, and remote access/connectivity, PCOMM 4.3 provides access to applications and data residing on a wide range of small to midrange servers—including Windows NT, OS/400, UNIX, HP™, and Sun®—or enterprise servers such as IBM S/390®.

Improved Development and Management

To help streamline customization and development, PCOMM's new API set enhances traditional EHLLAPI by improving performance and adding industry-standard 32-bit EHLLAPI APIs and WinHLLAPI APIs. Building on PCOMM's leadership in object-oriented programming, the Host Access Class Library (HACL) API—a cross-platform API used for creating graphical user interfaces for existing host applications without requiring changes to those applications—now provides a Java™ programming interface. This technology can make Web-to-host integration much easier and more efficient—while reducing rework and ensuring that your existing applications remain fully functional. In addition, PCOMM includes the same Host Access Beans for Java that are part of Host On-Demand Version 3.

The addition of ActiveX™ Controls and enhancements in VBScript functionality enable you to capitalize on your experience in the Visual Basic® environment and extend your applications to Web-based technologies. With these enhancements, PCOMM 4.3 provides the most comprehensive solution set for component-based customization available today.

To simplify network management and administration, PCOMM 4.3 includes the most powerful feature set available in any communications platform. Advanced Tivoli support expands management capabilities to enable open, standards-based networking. Other management enhancements enable users to send problem resolution information to IBM via the Internet.

With all of these advanced enhancements, PCOMM 4.3 can provide a secure, feature-rich platform that helps you concentrate on running your business today and deploy new technologies in the future as soon as you are ready.

PCOMM 4.3 Enhancements at a Glance

Host Access Beans for Java—Enable component-based application development that seamlessly integrates into IBM eNetwork Host On-Demand, IBM's solution for Java-based terminal emulation, browser access to host information, and e-business application program support ActiveX Controls—Created from the function of Host Access Beans for Java, these controls give Visual Basic developers the flexibility of native ActiveX controls plus the benefits of JavaBeans™ technology A Java interface for HACL—Allows developers to use the popular Java language to program for this industry-leading, object-oriented programming interface Support for the new Euro sign—Ensures reliable support for the new Euro currency symbol Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 3.0 support—Provides SSL secure data access in a variety of environments Support for VT340 text and Regis- and Sixel-compliant graphical applications—Increases application usability and improves productivity for end users and developers Support for Tivoli TME 10—Enables remote installation and administration of SNA nodes, along with several other management benefits

For More Information

Visit:
http://www.ibm.com/software/network/pcomm/