System iNetwork

May 25, 2010

Profound Logic Enhances Profound UI, Adds Preprocessor for 5.3, 5.4

Profound Logic has announced several enhancements to Profound UI, the new, native, graphical user interface platform for IBM i and a vendor-provided handler for RPG Open Access. Enhancements include the ability to utilize RPG Open Access functionality on IBM i releases 5.4 and 5.3, the integration of RPG Open Access enabled applications with 5250 web-enabled screens, and a menu and deployment framework. Profound Logic also released a beta version of the DDS Conversion module for Profound UI, as well as launched a new micro site where users can learn about Profound UI and try the technology.

Profound UI RPG Preprocessor

IBM recently introduced RPG Open Access, a key feature that makes it possible for native RPG operations to communicate directly with Web browsers, mobile phones, and other devices through third-party handlers, for IBM i 6.1. Profound Logic Software's new RPG Preprocessor module lets customers using 5.4 and 5.3 use the new RPG Open Access functionality.

Similar to Open Access, the RPG Preprocessor supports all screen-related operations in RPG by automatically inserting direct calls to Profound UI on 5.3 or 5.4. Users can use the Preprocessor to either make use of alternate compile commands provided by Profound UI or install exit points that invoke the preprocessor automatically when the standard system compile commands are used. The preprocessor will create a temporary copy of the original source code, replace display file operations with alternate code that will package the necessary RPG data and pass it to the Handler, and then call the RPG compiler on the source to finish the job. The preprocessor also makes it easy to obtain a trial copy of Profound UI and RPG Open Access functionality.

The preprocessor pricing is similar to that of IBM's RPG Open Access, charged as an annual fee. However, Profound Logic will provide a credit to customers that eventually upgrade to 6.1 or higher and obtain Open Access, making it so that customers do not necessarily have to pay twice for the functionality.

Profound UI Integration and Deployment

Profound has integrated the Profound UI platform with other Profound technologies, including the Genie module and the Atrium module. These offerings are now integrated into a single environment running out of the same IBM i library and web server instance, allowing each of the platform's modules to work together seamlessly without needing additional configuration or separate updates.

DDS Conversion (Beta Preview)

Another module provided by Profound Logic is an automated, green-screen DDS to a rich-user interface conversion process. This capability, available as a beta preview, lets developers convert green-screen displays to a rich UI without screen-scraping the 5250 output or significantly modifying the RPG code. With the conversion process, RPG programs can remain identical, other than adding the HANDLER keyword needed to enable RPG Open Access. Programs are then simply recompiled and all 5250 ties can be completely eliminated. Profound UI provides the capability for one set of programs to run both green-screen and rich UI applications, eliminating double maintenance.

Profound UI Micro Site

Profound Logic has created a micro site at ProfoundUI.com to provide details on the Profound UI product, as well as offer additional resources for learning how the solution works. Registration for the site is free and provides access to educational screen casts, solution documentation, sample programs, the community forum, and a demonstration area offering a demo of Profound UI's Visual Designer. A trial copy of Profound UI and getting started guide also are available.

—Rita-Lyn Sanders, Programming & Systems Management editor

Posted by rsanders at May 25, 2010 10:53 PM