DataDirect Shadow z/Presentation – Powering mainframe modernization with web enablement

Modernization initiatives take many forms. However, the ability to present mainframe applications through web-browsers is a core requirement. It lowers costs by reducing the need for terminal emulators. It improves usability through simplifying the user interface by combining multiple 3270-screens and eliminating the use of cryptic codes and fields.  And finally, it reduces the costs associated with training employees and customers to use these applications, that before were limited to the capabilities of 3270.  Shadow z/Presentation simplifies the process for extending mainframe screen based applications to the Web, while significantly reducing mainframe processing costs. Built into Shadow z/Presentation is unique, patent-pending technology that exploits the zIIP specialty engine to lower mainframe Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Processing associated with re-facing and web-enabling mainframe screen applications can be diverted from the mainframe General Purpose Processor to the zIIP specialty engine, thereby reducing MSU utilization. Having a rapid legacy extension solution for CICS TS, IMS TM, IDMS, CA-IDEAL, Natural, or ADSO applications can provides a dramatic improvement to business processes that rely on enterprise data and applications.

Shadow streamlines Web enablement for screen-based applications with unique zIIP exploitation for dramatically lower mainframe TCO.

Product Description
Shadow z/Presentation is a giant step beyond outdated "screen scrapers." It provides a set of high-performance low-level APIs which work with DataDirect's unique Dynamic Introspection technology to interact directly with the meta data associated with the screen field definitions to more efficiently access screen-based mainframe applications. Shadow z/Presentation automatically exposes mainframe screen applications as ready to use COBOL, .NET and J2EE components to allow Java or .NET developers to use existing tools and skills when creating new Web applications.
Shadow z/Presentation offers developers a simple way to deliver a reliable solution which provides the appearance of a completely re-engineered application with minimal development overhead. Unlike other solutions that access screen fields by row and column, z/Presentation references all screen fields by screen field names, ensuring that the screen interaction will continue to reliably produce the correct results even if a host screen field is moved.

Key Features

• No Changes to Host Application - requires no changes to the underlying host application, which minimizes development time and risks to business logic
• Integrates with COBOL, Java and Microsoft component technologies -- delivers Web enabled interfaces to existing mainframe 3270 screens in a manner compatible with JSP, ASP , and ASP.NET
• Automated generation of native Java or .NET enterprise components from mainframe logic
• Automated generation of CICS-native COBOL components that can communicate with any platform able to communicate with a CICS DPL program
• Direct access to mainframe logic at runtime - works directly with CICS and IMS logic, providing numerous direct methods of access to mainframe transactions :COMMAREA, OTMA, 3270 Bridge / Linkable Bridge, FEPI, ACI, SQL, APPC, tn3270
• High-performance, low-level APIs are used to access screen-based mainframe applications, reducing screen access time dramatically
• Reduced Maintenance - Screen fields are referenced by screen map names rather than row and column designations. This makes development simpler and more straightforward, minimizes the maintenance required in support of application changes, and reduces the chance of programming errors
• Improved Reliability - Because screen fields are referenced by screen map names, the web screen will still function correctly even if screen fields are moved

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Flexibility to Support Web Integration Now – SOA Later
As enterprise organizations weigh options for modernization of legacy assets, components continue to provide a viable option for extending mainframe applications. Shadow z/Presentation lets you rapidly integrate mainframe 3270 screen applications seamlessly with distributed Java or .NET web applications with minimal risk and development overhead. If the need to migrate to a Service-Oriented Architecture materializes in the future, applications built with Shadow z/Presentation can be easily re-deployed as a Web service. No development is required beyond the simple configuration of HTML templates and associated microflows.