CUSTOMER SUCCESS: GEAC AND IBM TEAM UP TO ENHANCE CORPORATE APPLICATIONS

A new Java-based solution extends the reach of corporate networks while reducing costs

Geac EnterpriseServer, a division of Geac Computer Corporation, is the largest provider of financial, procurement, and human resource solutions for the IBM S/390® platform. According to Gerard Frey, vice president of Marketing for Geac EnterpriseServer, the EnterpriseServer suite of applications forms the backbone of many companies’ financial, procurement, and human resources operations in such diverse industries as financial services, manufacturing, health care, and several other vertical markets.

Lately, Geac has been working closely with IBM to enhance many of its applications to incorporate Java technology and work with On-Demand Server from IBM. “By extending these back office applications,” Frey explains, “we make them available to a much larger audience—people both inside and outside the organization. They also become easier to install, maintain, and update. Our customers will work more effectively and their costs of doing business will actually go down.”

In practical terms, this means that a supplier could determine what parts to deliver simply by viewing inventory data on the enterprise network. Departmental managers in multiple locations could easily access and share financial data for making decisions about budgets and resource allocation. And, thanks to the power of Java, accurate and up-to-date data could be readily available to all the people who need it—with fewer phone calls, faxes, and paperwork.

Simplified Use
In addition to improving information access, Geac EnterpriseServer expects that these new applications will be much easier to use. By incorporating Java technology, Geac’s application designers will enhance the way information is formatted and presented by the applications. Using development tools such as IBM VisualAge for Java, CICS™ Java gateway, and MQSeries®, Geac can design custom user interfaces according to users’ tasks and the types of PCs they are using.

As they re-engineer their mainframe applications, Geac’s programmers also employ Host On-Demand—a 100% Pure Java certified application that provides access to host applications through a standard Web browser. Host On-Demand provides the traditional 3270 interface without the requirement of installing emulator software on every desktop.

Easier Installation and Maintenance
The use of On-Demand Server is based on the concept of server-managed clients: the network server becomes the single point of access and control for all applications in the network. Rather than installing and updating an application on each user’s desktop, an administrator simply updates the application once at the server, where it can then be accessed by users as needed. In fact, existing Java applets can be configured to run on the On-Demand Server desktop with no code modifications at all. They can be updated later as the need arises to exploit specific functions provided by the On-Demand Server APIs.

In addition to the maintenance savings, the use of On-Demand Server is expected to yield security benefits. Because applications are installed on—and managed from—the server, they should be less prone to intentional or inadvertent tampering by users. Service calls should require less time and expense as well, because every user has the same desktop configuration and the same level of software.

Additional Room for Growth
With On-Demand Server and Java technology, enterprises have much more room to grow. Adding a user to the network is as easy as connecting a PC to the server. With no need to configure, install, and maintain software on every user’s desktop, growth can be both easy and economical.

“Java gives us a wonderful opportunity,” says Doug Ring, director of Research and Development at Geac. “With it, we will offer our customers greater power and efficiency in their IT networks. Our partnership with IBM, and especially On-Demand Server, will enhance the benefit to our customers and position them for solid growth.”

IBM Products Used in the Geac/IBM Solution IBM eNetwork On-Demand Server On-Demand Server is a Java-based software product that manages “smart” Web applications. As a primary component of Web serving environments, On-Demand Server secures access, centralizes administration, extends Tivoli® enterprise systems management, and delivers personalized Web applications. As a result, On-Demand Server provides a very efficient way to develop and deploy e-business solutions. IBM eNetwork Host On-Demand Host On-Demand provides secure browser access to host information, Java-based emulation, and e-business application programming support—while delivering standard desktop utilities, file transfer, host print, and Java programming tools. By supplying Java-based host access, Host On-Demand can extend the reach of enterprise-wide information. It also supports TN3270E, TN5250, VT52/100/220, and CICS Gateway for Java access in a single package. IBM CICS Gateway for Java The CICS Gateway for Java provides state-of-the-art, easy access to CICS from any Java-enabled Web-client, such as Netscape Navigator™ or a network computer. A Java applet in the Web client can directly call CICS programs and data by invoking the small Java class supplied with the gateway. When the applet is invoked, all the necessary code is automatically downloaded to the client platform. IBM VisualAge for Java VisualAge for Java is an application development environment for building Java applications, applets, servlets, and JavaBean components. VisualAge for Java provides the most up-to-date component-based development and visual programming techniques for maximizing productivity and code reuse. VisualAge for Java Enterprise Edition is especially designed to help enterprise developers who are working in large teams, developing high-performance or heterogeneous applications, or attempting to connect Java programs to existing enterprise systems. IBM MQSeries An enterprise-level messaging solution that provides rapid application integration and unparalleled business flexibility, MQSeries provides an excellent infrastructure for accessing enterprise applications and developing Web applications. MQSeries Client for Java is an MQSeries client written in the Java programming language for communicating via TCP/IP. The MQSeries Client for Java enables application developers to exploit the power of Java to quickly create applets and applications that can run on any platform that supports the Java runtime environment.

For More Information
Visit http://www.ibm.com/software/network/on-demand/ or www.enterpriseserver.geac.com