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® SPECTRUMSPECTRUMTHE BUSINESS COMPUTER MAGAZINE NOV/DEC 2002 • AN IDBMA, INC. PUBLICATION inSecurityinSecurity AreAre YouYou SureSure HackersHackers AreAre LockedLocked OutOut ofof YourYour ComputerComputer Systems?Systems?
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SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: EXCLUSIVE! jBASE CHANGES HANDS, BECOMES jBASE INTERNATIONAL Cover Story 40 At press time, jBASE Software, formerly part of the TEMENOS Group, had been bought by U.K.-based Mpower1. What can the MultiValue industry expect from this latest acquisition? inSecurity IMHO (IN MY HUMBLE OPINION): YOU DANCE WITH THE ONE THAT BRUNG YA 22 In project management, it’s not just what you do but how you do it. This means using Don’t wait for the database that is being used for the project, to conduct the project. In non-multivalued 10 projects, it means using a MultiValue database during the project, for any task or your company’s process where quick, multi-access data and/or documents are needed. BY STEVE VANARSDALE data systems to be compromised. Look DESIGNING WIRELESS PDA APPLICATIONS In the last year, palm computing has taken off. When developing wireless applications into security risks 30 for PDAs, we have to learn new rules and considerations for programming. BY NATHAN RECTOR before the worst
LEGACY CORNER: ARCHIVING FILES AND ITEMS can happen. In his many travels, author Mark Johnson has come across a variety of different 38 archiving methods and program renaming conventions. Covered here are a couple of concepts to consider when changing existing programs. BY MARK JOHNSON MELVIN M. SORIANO
MVTOOLCHEST: PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT Why be tempted to leave the MultiValue world with the promise of mainstream databases, 10 data warehouses, data marts, and sophisticated sales reporting, among other treats, when you can have all that and your MultiValue-based application? The new generation of ODBC tools can be quite effective for sharing information between databases as well as with ODBC-compliant application software. BY JEFF JAKUS
CONSUMER CHRONICLES: CLASSIC SOLUTIONS IMPLEMENTS NEW CXML-BASED ECOMMERCE 42 CAPABILITIES 6 From the Inside How Classic Solutions helped a customer meet the challenges of today’s Internet-fueled business environment by implementing eCommerce capabilities with its software package. 12 Letters to the Editor
MVREPORTCARD: THE WORD ON INFORMER 12 Newsmakers Informer, by Entrinsik Inc., is generating quite a buzz as a powerful reporting 26 tool that provides quick and secure access to corporate data via a Web browser. 46 Marketplace HISTORY OF MULTIVALUE, CHAPTER 8: PICK’S EVOLUTION INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM is a 8 The late ’70s and ’80s saw a gradual evolution of the PICK system— from R83 to Open Architecture and even Dick Pick’s proposed registered trademark and MultiValue sewing machine foot pedal idea. BY GUS GIOBBI is a trademark of IDBMA Inc. All DEPARTMENTS other registered trademarks and
INTERNATIONAL trademarks are the property of the
respective trademark holders.
® CORRECTION In the SPECTRUMNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 Sept./Oct. 2002 issue, in the BTW article on page 45, one reference to the Web site address for PickJobs was incorrect. The correct Web site address is www.PickJobs.net. 4 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002
INTERNATIONAL [ FROM THE INSIDE]
SPECTRUM® NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 If It’s Out There - GUS GIOBBI Chairman
MONICA GIOBBI President
NICHELLE JOHNSON Anybody Editorial Manager
TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD Henry Eggers, Independent Consultant Tim Holland, Holland Consulting Can Bruce Johnson, Tag Consulting Ronald H. Jones, Ron Jones Consulting Nathan Rector, Natec Systems Bryan Shumsky, VIA Systems Have It Melvin M. Soriano, Eagle Rock Information Systems
MISSION STATEMENT International Spectrum Try this one out! Log on to a search engine like Yahoo and magazine’s editorial mission is to be the premier independent source of useful information for users, developers, and resellers of MultiValue data- type your exact Web site address in the search field. Put in the whole base management systems, open systems business database solutions, and related hardware, software, and peripherals. Published bimonthly, thing, including the www and the dot com. International Spectrum provides comprehensive coverage of the products, companies, and trends that shape the MultiValue marketplace as well as the computer industry at large — helping its readers get the most out of For most Web sites, yours probably included, Yahoo will return the their business computer systems. site at the top of the list, with a clickable link that invites you to “search within this site.” If you haven’t been real neat about cleaning up the files in your Web MV.ENTERPRISE Mentor Pro Server folder, stand by to be appalled. On our site I found links invit- MO/E MULTIVerse ing people to attend events long since passed, outdated press releas- Native PICK es, old test pages, and a whole bunch of other garbage! I’m just glad PCVerse PICK OA I didn’t have any pictures of me wearing my prize winning coconut tm Power95 and grass skirt costume at last month’s annual luau at the marina! R91 REALITY I know! Probably everybody else but me knows all about this, but all AP/PRO this time, I was under the blind illusion that if I didn’t let you get to RPL it from a path that started at our home page, you couldn’t get to it. MV•BASE If I happened to glance at the server console and see somebody IDBMA’s International Spectrum is published six (6) times per year at the accessing an old file, I just thought they were working from an old subscription price of $40.00 U.S. in the U.S.A.; $45.00 U.S. in Cana- da and Mexico; $50.00 U.S. for other countries. Single copy rates are cached page from our Web site. $7.00 U.S. in the U.S.A. and Canada, and $9.00 U.S. in all other countries. International Spectrum is published by IDBMA, Inc., 7596 Eads Avenue, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA 92037; 1-858-551-7855; I should have known better. When I first met the Internet a E-Mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.intl-spec- trum.com. Copyright 2002 International Database Management Asso- long time ago, our designer told me, “Gus, if you’re going to ciation, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, without written permission, is prohibited. put it on the Internet, anybody can have it!” I wish he PRINTED IN USA • ART AND DESIGN: CP Design; 858-642-6878; San would have added, “And if you put it in this folder, they Diego, CA NEWS RELEASES/UNSOLICITED ARTICLES can have that too!” International Spectrum is eager to print your submissions of up-to-the-minute news and feature stories complementary to the MultiValue marketplace. Black and white or color photographs are welcome. Although there is no guarantee a submitted article will be published, every article will be con- — GUS GIOBBI, CHAIRMAN, IDBMA, INC. — sidered. International Spectrum retains all reprint rights. [email protected] International Spectrum is a registered trademark and MultiValue is a trade- mark of IDBMA Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the 6 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 property of the respective trademark holders. BACK GIVE ME I m sure I don’t need to tell you that OpenInsight OpenInsight s client/server tools feature a ? is the only application you ll ever need for query window, a SQL script-building assistant, A BREAK. I BUILT building and deploying rich, powerful and database connection builder and a DataSet scalable database applications that will run just Object definition tool to let you access data from THIS COMPANY! about anywhere you want - on LANs, WANs, or sources other than your own Revelation data. the web. OpenInsight also gives you data warehousing at Out of the box, OpenInsight comes with a its finest. Take your pick — ODBC, SQL Server, database with features unrivaled in the industry. Notes or Oracle. In its native format it is fully compatible with And with OpenInsight s intuitive IDE, Advanced Revelation and most variable length developing your applications couldn t be easier. multi-dimensional data management products. The IDE includes a form designer, system editor OpenInsight is the workhorse of database and debugger, a popup designer for creating applications. And like me, it has matured nicely data lists, and Revelation Reporter for creating over the years. presentation-quality reports; won t your CFO be Want to publish your data to the web? Not a impressed. problem. OpenInsight can publish both static Folks, I have a lot more I want to tell you and dynamic HTML. Need XML support? about OpenInsight, but my coffee is getting You’ve got it. Data can be created, exported or cold. For more information about OpenInsight, maintained directly in or about OpenInsight training classes at XML, or requests can Revelation Headquarters or one of our come in via the web and Authorized Training Centers (ATCs), go to OpenInsight will generate www.revelation.com or call 800-262-4747. XML data on-the-fly. See you again soon!
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Revelation Software is a division of Revelation www.revelation.com Technologies, Inc. OpenInsight and BASIC+ are trademarks of Revelation Technologies, Inc. All other inf o @ revelation.com brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Spect_12_02 The BY GUS GIOBBI History of he late '70s and '80s saw a grad- Tual evolution of the PICK system. The company fine-tuned it and several MultiValue CHAPTER 8 enhancements were made. The final release of the product in 1983, dubbed About a year later, the roots of Open Archi- tecture split when Pick Systems’ then vice Open Architecture’s R83, was touted as a wonderful exam- president, Rich Lauer and Pick’s leading New Features mastermind, Tim Holland, left Pick Sys- ple of a stable, mature, application tems to form Concurrent Operating Sys- Boot Time Diagnostics environment. tems Technology (COST). Following that Dynamic Workspace Allocation separation, COST obtained a Pick To say that R83 had its share of One Frame Size & Format license and began the implementa- idiosyncrasies and flaws is an under- Symbolic References tion of Open Architecture for statement, but to be fair about it, Sequoia Systems using OA Version-1 Multiple ABS those who understood what the as a base for development. Case Insensitivity world was all about knew that Pick Phantom Processing Systems was a “development house” Commenting on the reasons for the and a think tank of sorts, and com- formation of COST, Tim Holland TCL Editor and Stacker panies like Ultimate and ADDS said, “(Dick) Pick was heavily involved Macros and Menus understood that to make the Pick in new product development and was Call Basic From Dictionaries System into a mission-critical pro- not paying a lot of attention to sup- Unlimited String Size in Basic porting licensees. He was concen- duction system would take substan- Enhanced Basic Functionality tial additional investment and time. trating on getting the next version of Incremental File Save Not a few other Pick licensees Open Architecture running at that Rick Lauer and point and spending most of his Transaction Logger learned that lesson the hard way. Tim Holland — physical energies on expanding the File Control Blocks Understanding that, Pick Systems Founded COST feature list of the system.” undertook in the early '80s to refine to mold the Multiple File Indexes the classic R83 version of the oper- Pick Operating In late 1987, Sequoia Systems Unlimited Item Size ating system. Initially dubbed R84 System into a acquired COST, and all staff and Improved Item Storage and then re-named Open Architec- finished product. development work were merged into B-Tree Overflow ture (Pick OA), it was not until Sequoia’s operation. IS 1986 that a commercially viable version of OA was released. The industry generally expressed that OA was a major disappoint- Sewing-Machine Foot Pedal ment, containing few enhancements beyond the classic R83 Pick system. Like all public figures, Dick Pick had more than his share of fans and critics. The fans understood that his fascination and dedication lay with the ever evolv- Archford Computers International of Lon- don was the first to use OA on Pinnacle ing technology of his invention, but his critics thought he spent too much time hardware. It was released at the Internation- tinkering and not enough time developing a bullet-proof business system. al Spectrum Show as OA Version-1 in Lon- No single item evoked as much passion in this department as his "sewing don in October 1985, but delivery did not machine foot pedal" that he interfaced with his personal workstation. begin until early 1986. OA Version 1 was Depressing the pedal would activate the "ctrl" key on his keyboard to make essentially a complete rewrite and reorgani- it easier to perform functions that require pressing three keys at a time (such zation of the internals of the Pick Operating System which was R83 compatible and had as ctrl-alt-delete). To his detractors, this sort of thing was "evidence" that just a few of the OA features. It is estimated Pick Systems would always remain a development house and never pro- that several hundred systems were delivered duce a production product. by Archford with Version 1.
8 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM’S 2003 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
Register by January 15th Welcome to and Save the New World $200.00! of Choice! New technology, products and services invite web integration without reengineering New This Year! mvToolChest! Presenting the Top 30 MultiValue Software Tools
The 22nd Annual Gathering of the MultiValue Software Industry February 17-20, 2003 Hyatt Islandia Resort Hotel San Diego, California
Visit www.intl-spectrum.com or call 858-551-7855 to register or for a free brochure For users of all MultiValue Databases mvToolChest Protecting Your HowINVESTMENT Not to Migrate... BY JEFF JAKUS
here are many predators Server and to provide corporate manage- The good news is that you DON'T ment with new ways to look at their data. HAVE TO LEAVE the MultiValue data- T targeting your business Terms like Business Intelligence, Data base world in order to benefit from the new with the hope that you will Warehousing, Web Centric, e-Commerce technologies that have been introduced by make the decision to leave the and Shopping Carts have contributed to an the “other” guys over the past few years. overwhelming alphabet soup. There is a standards-based technology MultiValue world. They are I am not the oldest surviving member called ODBC that stands for “Open Data promising mainstream of the MultiValue database market, but Base Connectivity” and it was developed by there are becoming fewer and fewer of us Microsoft. The idea was that in order to get databases, data warehouses, around that have lived here for 20 years or bigger market share for Access and SQL data marts, drill down and more. We know that the database is Server, there needed to be a method to con- superbly suited for the applications that we nect these products to the Oracle's and sophisticated sales reporting, run and for the business problems that DB2's of the world. Information could among the other treats that need to be solved. We even know that the then be shared between databases as well as speed of character-based data entry will with ODBC compliant application soft- come with migration. win against Windows and mouse clicks, ware. Microsoft has ODBC enabled most But, the reasons you have the software every time. of its tools such as Excel and Word and the application that you do are still valid, in Windows developers have fact, very valid. So why leave your working followed suit — Crystal business rules behind and cross the fron- Decisions, Cognos, Great tier, as a pioneer, for a more complex — Plains, Web Methods and and certainly more expensive — comput- many more. ing environment? It is not just the cost of There is more good a new application, or the training of your news. ODBC is also existing personnel, or the adding of addi- available for MultiValue tional personnel, or hardware upgrades, or database users, so there is new databases. It is also about loss of rev- no longer an overwhelm- enue with lower productivity during an ing reason to leave. You application migration and potential sys- can now have Invest- tem down time at conversion. ment Protection! In today's world many productivity The primary reason tools have appeared on the IT scene. These that the MultiValue data- ODBC—Open Data Base Connectivity—provides tools were designed to complement the connectivity between the MultiValue world and base community has been lagging in pro- trendy databases such as Oracle and SQL mainstream databases and applications. viding a strong ODBC solution is that the
10 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 ViaODBC allows (and MV compatible) reporting tool is MultiValue users to called Crystal Reports. use products such Data Warehousing and Data Mining as Crystal Reports and others. provide amazing results with Cognos Pow- erplay, Crystal Analysis and a new player by the name of XL Reporter coupled with SQL Server. Web Methods is another amazing tool, allowing you to coordinate and monitor multiple processes whether they are data- bases, Web sites or applications. Visual Basic is ODBC compliant as are Excel and Word using MS Query to structure your MultiValue data for viewing in most Microsoft products. The bottom line is that all the Win- dows and GUI tools can be used effective- ly and in real time using ODBC while maintaining the integrity of the systems you have become accustomed to over the years. Whether your hot button is a GUI front end for your business application or just getting better reporting — ODBC is the solution. ODBC opens a whole new world to companies running legacy business appli- market is so fragmented. IBM's U2 data- ViaODBC has been continually cations such as Dataflo, Avante, Manfact, bases have an ODBC offering that often enhanced by adding new functionality LIB, Select, Collector, Excalibur, Col- requires upgrades in hardware and software with a particular emphasis on improving league, Benefactor, Ratex, ULTRADATA, to get limited productivity and reportedly performance in every area where possible. Mega West Medical Management Suite, improper multi-value handling. Raining The proper handling and implementation Harris Utility Management, Profi'C, TSM Data and D3 are in a similar boat as they of multivalues and subvalues with ODBC Vintage, Breakaway and the many, many concentrate on enhancing their newer is not a trivial task. Anyone that has had a others that make up the world of Multi- products. jBASE has a nice solution, but it prior experience with a MV ODBC tool Value software solutions. is only available to customers using its that resulted in poor performance or mis- ODBC powered solutions can be as Enterprise Version since ODBC is not part handled data should take another look at simple as routinely refreshing a pre-for- of its core offering. the new generation of ODBC tools that matted Excel spreadsheet that automati- There are two long-term MultiValue are available today. cally opens a connection to the MV tools developers that entered the ODBC There are many very powerful prod- database and returns the requested data in market to provide products that would ucts which are complementary to your real time. Or, on the more complex side, an work regardless of the MultiValue database business application that utilize the SQL Server database can be continually that was in use. Liberty Integration came on ODBC standard interface. For Business updated with pre-defined MV data which strong but was swallowed up by GA eXpress Intelligence and Enhanced Reporting, is integrated into a data mart and is then during its acquisition heyday. This solution your options include Microsoft Business available for slicing, dicing and reporting is still available, but is no longer the compa- Solutions with Enterprise Reporting (orig- in more ways than you can imagine. ny's flagship product. inally from Great Plains) and Cognos with Remember: Your investment is pro- The leader in cross platform MultiVal- its Impromptu solution. Another favorite tected with ODBC. is ue ODBC solutions is a product called Via ODBC which was developed by Via Systems The author, Jeff Jakus, president of @Better Results Inc., can be contacted via email at Inc. Via has been a major player in MultiVal- [email protected] or by phone at (480) 346-9070. Jeff has held a number of sales ue database connectivity since 1978 and is and marketing positions within the MultiValue database community during the past 20 now stronger than ever as a subsidiary of the years, starting with DataWorks in 1983. @Better Results specializes in ODBC and data financially sound MultiValue VAR Electron- migration technologies, creating new life for legacy applications including enhanced reporting, multiple database access, data exposure on the Web and business intelligence. ic Data Processing, in England.
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 11 news
Letters to the Editor
Did ODBC Get a Bad Rap? solution he helped develop (Report Wizard) on a regular basis with ViaODBC Well, as usual, I enjoyed receiving my coupled with various industry leading Spectrum magazine (Sept/Oct 2002 Issue) reporting technologies including, but and proceeded to read through the certainly not limited to, Cognos Impromptu content. and Powerplay, Crystal Reports and After reading Michael Ballard’s article, Microsoft Enterprise Reporting as well as “Lessons Learned in MultiValue Report- Microsoft’s Excel and Word.
makers ing,” I felt like our company’s depth meter I take particular offense to the statement had just plunged to two feet or less (nice on page 24 that states: “I quickly conclud- boat, by the way). Michael may be an MV ed that ODBC was not a good approach to expert, but he certainly is not an expert accessing MultiValue (or any Pick-like) on reporting options for MultiValue data- databases.” He goes on to discuss producing bases. He does a fair job of denouncing “wrong” information, improper “null” ODBC, which was developed by Microsoft handling and the inability to produce as an industry standard that allows infor- consistent results when multivalues mation to be shared between disparate are involved. databases and open applications. We If he would have divulged the fact that have built our business on reporting these are all deficiencies of the U2 mid- technologies for MultiValue databases — dleware product called UniODBC then I and ODBC is a very big part of what wouldn’t have felt so bad. But, since he pays our bills every day. did not specify which ODBC tool he was His article is really about a very narrow referring to, he has, by inference, included market (Epicor iSolutions) and focused us in the category of “ODBC is bad.” project (Report Writing for Manfact, While his assertions apply to the U2 Avante and Dataflo) while he was middleware, the Via Systems ViaODBC employed at Epicor. We replace the product is very different. Via Systems and @Better Results have both spent many hours fine tuning a set of ODBC tools that handle MV data properly, efficiently and accurately — not just with the U2 databases, but with ALL MV databases. Just to make it clear, @Better See mvToolChest: Results is the “Protecting Your primary distrib- Investment” by Jeff Jakus on utor of the page 10 in this ViaODBC prod- issue. ODBC can be an effective method uct in North to connect MultiValue databases to America and leading reporting tools. we work very closely with the
12 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 The Author Responds
Jeff is correct in pointing out that my I have not used ViaODBC or any experience with UniODBC and its pred- other third-party ODBC tools and I’m ecessors left me looking for a solution very curious to see how ViaODBC has that end users with minimal specialized overcome some or all of the issues I education could use. Given sufficient saw in the U2 tools. training on the details of structure and In recent years, Epicor responded to folks at Via Systems in making certain content of the U2 database and the the end users’ demands to offer ODBC that together we provide the preemi- details of how to use Crystal Reports solutions in addition to or in place of nent ODBC product for reporting using and other similar products, it is possible Report Wizard. Epicor developers (and standard (non-proprietary) Windows for end users to generate some pretty others) spent the time to create based reporting tools and connecting amazing reports using UniODBC and its schemas that would give the users the to other non-MV databases. predecessors. The problem in that fields they needed in a structure that In order to get out the correct news, statement is the issue of “sufficient would minimize or eliminate the prob- how about agreeing to print a rebuttal training.” It was made very clear to the lems that came up when trying to use that would allow us to highlight the original design team that our end users UniODBC on the raw file dictionaries. capabilities of ODBC and the place had neither the time nor the inclination The consulting group at Epicor has within the MV market where this tech- to get that “sufficient training.” They been doing a lot of work to help users nology is a definite fit? wanted something that the least learn to effectively use tools such as computer-savvy end user could use to PowerPlay and Impromptu from - Jeff Jakus, President Cognos. Numerous consultants and @Better Results, Inc. generate simple reports and a more other third parties offer add-ons or [email protected] knowledgeable user could use to make
www.BetterResults.com fairly complex reports. UniODBC could replacements for this (and other) parts not meet this need. of Epicor’s applications. Continues on page 14
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 13 news
The Author Responds Continued from page 13
Jeff is also correct in his observation either Pick-style correlatives or I-type that the initial target audience for Report formulas. The translate expressions are Wizard was Epicor’s U2 application users evaluated to determine the ID expression. running DataFlo, ManFact, and Avanté. It The ID expression is then used as need- was originally written for DataFlo but with ed to create temporary dictionary items the expectation that it would be quickly that reference any field in the file that is adapted to ManFact. Avanté didn’t come the target of the translate. These tempo- into the picture until somewhat later. rary dictionary items only exist for the There is no technical reason why Report duration of the report. This gives U2 Wizard could not be offered to the general users much the same kind of capability U2 community. In fact, before the merger as a ’join’ in an SQL-based reporting tool
makers of Unidata and Ardent Software, Unidata but without them needing to know what management expressed interest in acquir- field or expression in FILE_A is a key to ing Report Wizard. Post-merger, the inter- FILE_B. This also reduces the frequency est disappeared. I don’t know why. of requests for new translate dictionary Report Wizard is implemented as a VB items that are often the responsibility of program on client PCs interacting with a a manager or administrator of an end- set of UniBasic programs and subrou- user environment. tines on the U2 server. One of the origi- I’ll be the first to admit that I have not nal design goals was to not have to attempted to review all of the reporting duplicate security-related information for solutions currently available. Of those the tool. This primarily refers to such that I have seen, the security management things as O/S and Application User ID seems to be dependent on the O/S per- and Password as well as File and Field missions or on a set of tables set up in permissions and restrictions. Since these the reporting tool rather than by integrat- things in U2 environments are typically ing with the security management built in implemented by the tools used to devel- to the application tools. I have also not op the application (Preview, ELF, SB+, seen a reporting tool that will peruse the DEU, Blacksmith, etc.), we wanted to be file dictionaries to discover relationships. able to customize the relevant code for Whether this is done periodically and each target application environment. stored somewhere or done on the fly at DataWorks management and, later, Epi- report run time, this is something that cor management, made business deci- Epicor’s users count on. They have the sions to not offer Report Wizard to the tools to create new files and add diction- general U2 community because of the ary items to any files that Epicor delivers perception that supporting end users in so any set of pre-defined relationships unfamiliar applications by other vendors that are delivered with the application will would lead to a drain on our Tech Sup- soon become incomplete or inaccurate. port resources without resulting in a sig- - Michael Ballard nificant inflow of cash. Formerly Senior Programmer Analyst Another design goal from the begin- Epicor Software, San Diego, Calif. ning of Report Wizard was the ability to Currently Product Manager inspect the dictionaries of the files that GenSource Corp., Valencia, Calif. [email protected] users selected and find any translates in
14 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 installation includes 1SEARCH, a new 1mage Software to Install New Full add-on to the 1MAGE system, which Text Retrieval Feature at City of Omaha gives users the ability to perform full text searches on selected documents. State of Minnesota’s Department of Environmental Health Group Once requested documents are identified Replaces Existing System with the Linux Version of 1MAGE and retrieved, the Clerk’s office will be able to send (via email, fax or direct 1mage Software Inc. announced significant expenses. Any requests for mail) an electronic copy to the requestor. that the City of Omaha will be installing information require the Clerk’s office to The lengthy, cumbersome retrieval the 1MAGE document management perform manual searches through the process will be eliminated. solution to manage official documents handwritten index to retrieve documents “We anticipate that this solution will save in the City Clerk’s office, replacing and make copies, a very labor-intensive time and money for the City of Omaha, as a manual system that has been in process. well as easing access to city documents for place since 1895. Installation of this document imaging citizens,” said David DeYoung, president Currently, the City Clerk uses hard copy system will allow the City Clerk to do and CEO of 1mage Software. “We look for all resolutions, ordinances, and other electronic searches for information, pro- forward to implementing this document official documents. A handwritten logbook vide electronic copies of resolutions, ordi- indexing system slows the filing and file nances and other official documents, and imaging solution for the city.” retrieval process, and the paper file stor- since the document would reside electroni- The second phase of the implementa- age takes up significant office space. Not cally on a server, provide a space savings. tion will allow city departments to only does the physical space associated In the initial phase of the project, the perform their own searches to find with the storage of the documents cost Clerk’s office will have the ability to search and retrieve documents. The third phase the City of Omaha, but also the manual all the documents imaged based on an will allow public access to this same method of information retrieval produces index or a general word search. The search process. Continues on page 16
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 15 news
State of Minnesota reports, laboratory reports, regulatory Installs 1MAGE Document compliance documents and reports, internal and external correspondence and memo- Management Software randa, and other relevant information per- taining to the safety of Minnesota’s also announced the 1mage Software drinking water supplies — an estimated installation of its document imaging and two million separate documents. management system at the Minnesota The department’s previous document Department of Health Environmental management system, which had been in Health Group. This group keeps records place for 10 years, would have required on more than 300,000 water sources extensive upgrading — but it was no throughout Minnesota, both municipal
makers longer being supported by its third-party water supplies and private wells. The data reseller. A key factor in the department’s maintained includes permits, inspection decision to purchase 1MAGE was its availability for the RedHat Linux platform Strategy 7 Opens Beverly Hills Office
Strategy 7 Corp., a national value-added reseller for the MultiValue industry, has opened an additional office in Beverly Hills, Calif., to market IBM's Data Management portfolio. The portfo- lio includes Informix, DB2, U2 and Business Intelligence product lines. The new office will serv- ice new and existing Los Angeles and surrounding county area customers. Headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, with a western regional office in Newport Beach, Calif., Strategy 7 Corp. has helped hundreds of organizations, large and small, adapt in the face of rapidly changing technology. The company said it continually researches and tests technologies that allow clients to derive increased benefits from their information and systems. “We made a commitment to the Informix product line years ago, and continue to be one of the largest U.S. resellers,” said Joseph Rodriguez II, president of Strategy 7. “The expansion into Los Angeles will allow us to provide Strategy 7's existing domestic 500,000 users with the service that they have come to expect from us over the years. We will continue to work closely with them to preserve their investment.” IBM acquired Informix in 2001, and has successfully merged the product family into the IBM Data Management portfolio of products. With over 20 product upgrades over the last year, IBM has integrated the best data management technologies available in the industry into a seamless set of solutions that includes the Informix, DB2 and Business Intelligence product lines, Strategy 7 said. “It is our job to keep our customers up to date on the strength of their products—the stan- dards, reliability and availability,” Rodriguez explained. “Whether they're building a data ware- house or need to enhance an eCommerce infrastructure—we make it our business to provide them with time-critical information and resources, ensuring that they remain competitive. The Beverly Hills office is strategically located to service some of our long-term customers while introducing the product line to new users.”
The new Strategy 7 office is located at 433 North Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
16 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 and ease of integration into existing in-house application software. Cost was another important consideration — purchasing and installing the 1MAGE Zumasys Moves to New software, fax component, and scanning option, plus converting existing images Headquarters and training department staff in its use, Expands Facilities by 85 Percent — Opens would cost only about as much as Training Center and Porting Lab upgrading the previous system — and could be completed in days rather than months. Prompted by rapid growth over its first two years of business, Zumasys The installation and on-site training of Inc. has moved into new corporate offices in Lake Forest, Calif. Department of Health users was to be Strategically located at the junction of Interstate 5 and 405, two of Southern completed by the first of October, when California's primary freeways, the new 6,400 square-foot facility incorporates department IT staff expected to roll out a extensive tenant improvements, including a state-of-the-art training room that new version of their Oracle-based inter- will host Zumasys' monthly technology seminars and an expanded curriculum nal application software. “One advantage of technology-related education. The training room will also be made available of the 1MAGE product is its transparent to select ISV and vendor partners looking to offer education in the Southern integration with existing client software,” California region. DeYoung said. “We virtually disappear into our client’s existing system — no Zumasys' new address is 20472 Crescent Bay Drive, Suite 104, Lake Forest, new third-party applications or costly CA 92630. The phone number is (949) 334-0287 and the fax number is software upgrades are required. And, (949) 334-0288. client staff don’t have to switch back and Designed to showcase the latest in technology from its vendors, the facility forth between two programs to access also features a new porting lab, computer room and expanded integration lab data. It’s all right there in their main busi- all connected via a Cablofil overhead cable management system. Customers ness program.” That’s because 1MAGE will be able to use the porting lab to test and benchmark applications on a vari- has developed a suite of application pro- ety of emerging hardware and software technologies including Citrix gramming interfaces (APIs) that work MetaFrame XP, ORiNOCO Wireless LANs, Sierra Wireless Internet connections, across the enterprise and are available Wyse WinTerms and IBM pSeries AIX servers. wherever the application is used, so they As part of the expansion, Zumasys installed the Artisoft TeleVantage software- don’t have to be loaded on every employ- based phone system, which converges voice and data on a standard Intel- ee’s workstation. based server platform. An intelligent, Windows-based interface provides As part of the conversion project, the complete call and message control from desktop PCs and thin clients. An 1MAGE system will “normalize” the exist- authorized Artisoft reseller, Zumasys plans to expose customers to the benefits ing database, eliminating duplicate of Unified Messaging in a real world environment. entries, consolidating misspellings, and validating key data. When complete, the Zumasys is a Citrix Gold Reseller and a national provider of technology servic- two million images will be stored on es and business computing solutions to a broad range of customers. The com- optical platters that occupy less physical pany offers workforce mobility solutions and “custom built” Intel, Compaq and space than a carton of soda. IBM RS/6000 servers, integrated with AIX, Linux, Windows NT/2000, Citrix, SCO or UnixWare. Zumasys also has offices in Huntington Beach, Calif., and For more information, visit Minneapolis, Minn. www.1mage.com. For more information, visit http://www.zumasys.com. Continues on page 18
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 17 has Imaging system considerable debtor considerable “The system is fast,” he continued. “The system is fast,” sales and Also noting the exceptional TRG provides comprehensive Informa- Technical Resource Technical Group Signs Reseller Agreement With jBASE imaging. Since we are primarily a com- we are primarily imaging. Since with agency mercial Compass back-up, the into the 21st century. has truly moved us as quickly as a “The scanner operates is quick and simple. copier and indexing information can also block unwanted We can be faxed [or from the image so it clear of any hand emailed] to the debtor notations.” technical support received from Com- pass, Zerangue commented: “During the process, Compass personnel purchase worked closely with me on hardware specification. Compass support, if need- ed, is always quick and easy to acquire. No cumbersome incident numbers or waiting time to address your training and support needs.” Overall, Zerangue summarized: “I highly recommend Compass Imaging for any agency’s imaging needs.” For more information, visit www.com- or passcs.com, www.clovisroche.com www.columbiaultimate.com. Forms New Strategic Alliances Resource Group (TRG) Technical Added Reseller signed to become a Value of jBASE International, allowing TRG (VAR) full line of products for to draw on jBASE’s solutions to deliver to its clients. (IT) and business services tion Technology and solutions to over 400 customers Compass Computer Solutions, a lead- According to Compass president and Don Zerangue, vice president of Compass Document Document Compass Moves Management Clovis & Roche CenturyInto the 21st Compass Computer Solutions Inc. Compass Computer & Roche, a major announced that Clovis recovery debt and leader in commercial loss prevention services, has leveraged Management the Compass Document its collection solution to streamline process. Clovis & Roche, which runs Collector System on Columbia Ultimate’s environment, has the D3 MultiValue implemented Compass Computer Solu- tions’ Compass Document Management, a high-performance document scanning and indexing software solution for Multi- databases. Value ing provider of document imaging sys- tems and a partner of Columbia Ultimate, was a natural choice for Clovis & Roche, who had recently moved from the Boost Collector system to Columbia Ultimate’s System for its application software. “Collection agencies CEO John Walsh, are among the largest group of Compass clients enjoying the benefits of electronic document management. Compass Docu- ment Management provides instant access to debtor backup documentation during the collection process. The tight interface between Compass and Colum- bia Ultimate also provides the added ben- efit of having a fully integrated, seamless solution for our joint clients.” Clovis & Roche, explained, “As a prior we were excited to see the Boost user, benefits in changing to Columbia Ulti- mate. Columbia Ultimate recommended for document Compass as a source
Continued from page 17 from Continued NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM INTERNATIONAL newsmakers 18 Two New Help Desk New Alliance With Technicians Join Modular Hartley & Associates TRG has also formed an alliance with Information Systems Hartley & Associates, a professional services firm that provides sales/market- Modular Information Systems, a full service information technology ing, staffing, and organization building consulting firm, announced the hiring of Jerry Singley and John Landaker as services to growing companies. “Contin- help desk technicians based out of Modular’s Monterey County office. Both uing to offer the widest scope and broad- Singley and Landaker are life-long residents of Monterey County and specialize est range of services is the reason for in networking, help desk, and end-user support. forming an alliance with Hartley & Asso- ciates,” Marshall stated. “Additionally, Prior to joining Modular, Singley worked for the past five years as a field this strategic alliance will enhance the technician for two Monterey Peninsula based computer consultants. He holds services available to all of TRG’s cus- certifications in both A+ and Network+. tomers and prospects. We look forward Landaker's past experience, also on the Monterey Peninsula, includes three to a mutually beneficial long term alliance years with a computer consultant and four years with a software company. At with Hartley & Associates.” his previous companies, he worked as a field technician, help desk technician, Hartley & Associates has a simple yet and customer support manager. He is powerful philosophy: To provide compre- also A+ certified and a Hewlett Packard certified repair technician. hensive services for small to medium “Modular is very fortunate to be adding Jerry and John to our staff,” said and emerging companies during periods Eydie Larson, vice president of Application Development who oversees the Help of change with a view toward long-term Desk. “They possess exceptional experience, have the ability to solve problems results and achievements. “We accom- creatively, and have shown the desire to provide the best in customer care.” plish this through the development of Modular Information Systems recently expanded its Help Desk Services. client relationships based on profession- Previously only available to existing clients, Modular now accepts new clients alism, mutual trust and respect nurtured by honest and open communications,” interested in opening special Help Desk accounts. Modular’s Help Desk Service stated Jim Stedt, president of Hartley & allows clients to call at a moment's notice to get professional help on any Associates. “The alliance with TRG is an computer-related need. There are no charges to set up an account and no exciting opportunity for Hartley & Associ- minimum requirements for the service. Calls may be submitted via phone, fax, ates that will open up new markets and email, or a help desk Web site. allows TRG experts to work together with Hartley & Associates experts for all of For more information, visit www.miscorp.com. our customers.” “Our vast experiences as entrepreneurs allows us unique insights into the chal- throughout the United States and Cana- Dave Bryant, president and CEO of lenges organizations are facing today,” da. “We have seen a growing interest in jBASE International, said, “TRG is a well added Jim Getzinger, senior vice presi- jBASE, and after our own careful evalua- respected consulting company in the dent of Hartley & Associates. “We know tion, we believe this technology has a MultiValue marketplace and we are very how to successfully take an organization very strong future,” stated Kevin Mar- pleased that TRG has chosen to add into the next lifecycle of its growth. TRG shall, president of TRG. “We are excited jBASE technologies to their product and Hartley & Associates have already to be a reseller, and we already have had offerings.” successfully worked together at an several of our customers inquire about organization that migrated to a new the jBASE database.” Continues on page 44
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 19 BY STEVE VANARSDALE
IMHOYou Dance With the One That Brung Ya’
The famous football coach Bum Phillips
with the Houston Oilers said it first.
And it’s equally true for IT projects.
Notice how everyone gripes about
MultiValue marketing, but nobody
does anything about it? Well, marketing doesn’t
stop at the newsstand, buckey.
Good managers market their projects all the while that they are underway. So how does this apply to MultiValue? By means of the method. It’s not only what we do, but the way we do it.
What this means is simple: in an MV project, it means using the database that is being used for the project, to conduct the project. In non-multi-valued projects, it means using a MultiValue database during the project, for any task or process where quick, multi-access data and/or documents are needed.
20 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 There are certain tasks in every project. ears ago the D3 Method for projects was invented. Big disap- They may not be formal; they may not even be acknowledged, because it’s not pointment. Everyone looked at me like I had two heads. They cool to be concerned with the nits and were thinking, “We got Microsoft Project; we don't need no data- Y details when we’re “Planning the Project.” base.” One can hardly blame them; the Method looked like a long list of But when these essential little tasks are not project tasks. It was catatonic stuff, terminally boring. I'm not sure that formal and not planned, they are the rea- anyone ever even read the whole thing. Talk about bad marketing, eh? So son that a simple project goes two and now it's called the MultiValue method. three hundred percent beyond the esti- mate. A little MultiValue database can be The MV Method was sort of a rule, or perhaps a philosophy. In a nutshell, invaluable. Here are a few samples: the Method is to insert MultiValue into every little project task that required or would benefit from automation. Task lists, feature lists, data dictionaries, Interview the users (don’t we all do this) and record and cross-ref what they user requirements, calculation specifications, transformation rules, manual say (oops?). checklists, automated checklists, automated procedures. Anything that might be done in a word processing document or a spreadsheet. Status reports, Write a scope. And circulate it (oops again?). And maintain it. preferably all process specifications, even references to graphics and blobs. When the mas- on-line. ter list of project tasks is also in there, then everyone can get at it, all the time, plus all the project stuff can be cross-referenced automatically. It's always Make a list of resources that will be required; get feedback. proven to be worth the effort: Make databases of the system problems If the effort cost a little more, then the project manager made up the cost to be solved ... user features to add ... appli- with synergy. cation functions to retain. Cross-reference these to the project tasks that will deliver. If the effort cost a lot more, then he rolled it into the prototype. Make checklists and progress logs. Circulate Everybody wins. these, too. Create automated follow-ups. Done properly, everyone learns. Programmers try new techniques for When it’s all in there, we record pro- gramming time against project tasks with themselves rather than on each other. Analysts learn how to navigate the data a file trigger that computes the Earned and the meta-data like second nature. Users and stakeholders see rapid appli- Value and updates a real-time executive cation development in action. Non-MV technicians get a new appreciation. project sponsor monitoring report. Export Done extensively, project risk is reduced. Information about the it to Word and hang in the shared net- work. Wow. project is better organized; information for the project is stored in a readily accessible location. Everyone begins to think in terms of how to fulfill an There are dozens of good uses for Multi- information objective with the tools at hand; multi-valued becomes the com- Value in the traditional and untraditional project methodology. But here’s the all- mon denominator technology of the team, then the project, and eventually time best one: the application. The project becomes a base upon which to build towers of fashion with the “latest-n’-greatest.” And then replace them, just as easily, and safely, as the “later-n’-greater” stuff comes along. =/s Continues on page 22
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 21 Continued from page 21 Construct a prototype. There are several ways to insert a proto- type into a project. The standard is the No IMHOsingle project task can produce more planned and scheduled approach to miti- benefit, answer more questions, avoid Less than five gate risk. “Before we do the real system, more problems, ensure more success. A let’s do a prototype thing.” Not my surprise at the end of an IT project can favorite; it’s usually the wrong thing, cost a lot more than the project itself; percent of the IT always at the wrong time. Guaranteed to think millions. Yet less than five percent be cut, as soon as the project budget is of the IT projects contain a single proto- projects type, let alone the multiple prototypes constrained ... usually about 15 minutes that I prefer. into the project. Or worse yet, the proto- contain a type becomes the real system. A Franken- Usually it’s just too time-consuming and stein patchwork of almost-code and expensive. Here is where MultiValue single prototype. not-quite approaches, glued together with shines. MV prototypes are fast, easy, and fixes, destined to make everyone’s job mis- cost-effective. In fact, the cumulative cost erable until mercifully put down. savings of prototypes for just those IT Usually it’s projects that go bad would probably pay Here’s a better method. Early in the plan- for all the MultiValue systems ever sold. just too ning process, walk-through meetings are Here’s an example: scheduled. These show-n’-tell sessions can be budgeted not just for deliverables, but A large U.S. distributor created an interac- time-consuming also for ideas and approaches. But instead tive database of technical data on products. of a couple of hours, several work-days are When it was completed, only five people allocated. Slips through the planning could be forced to use the system; 69,995 and expensive. process fairly easy, and actually adds a bit employees couldn’t use the clumsy, redun- of flexibility to the schedule. dant screens. The year it went on-line, the Here is where ten-million-dollar system was abandoned As the walk-through meeting approaches, and written off. Good-bye bottom line. If the manager assembles an agenda. For there had been a simple mock-up that proj- MultiValue each topic a suitable demonstration can ect stakeholders and potential users could be arranged. A multi-valued database sys- have seen, the write-off might have never shines. tem on a laptop is the perfect tool. A dic- happened. The cost of a simple MultiValue tionary is built; data is mocked-up, and a prototype would have been less than a screen or two can be cobbled together. thousand dollars. And a dozen people Voila ... a prototype. Some thoughts is too hard to manage. These reasons are might have kept their jobs. along the way: simply not true. A good prototype does This example is typical, and far from the exactly the opposite on all three counts. Building the dictionary: When possible, worst. So why don’t we see more prototyp- The real reason is fear of management cen- it’s usually a good idea to use a copy of the ing? Some professional project managers sure. Yet a good prototype will promote production dictionary. This answers some say it’s too time-consuming, others say it management interest and confidence. It’s a questions, and identifies new ones. The distracts from the project, still others say it matter of how the prototype is introduced. dictionary may actually be part of the pro-
22 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 totype; a lot of background processing Screens: time to scrimp. Don’t bother “Whoa,” says and data progression can be accom- with the graphical user interface. Label the supervisor. plished with file triggers. In any case, save the fields, display values, use the tab key “We usually get the dictionary, including all the special for navigation. Gets the idea across. If the this first, then that. correlatives and conversions. Good walkthrough is about the pretty screens, And this one right here thinking is always useful later during test- then there’s probably no need for the has to come from upstairs, you dope.” ing, and some “MacGyver”-type ideas walkthrough. If, on the other hand, there end up in production. are real issues, then the mock-up Continues on page 24 enhances the show. Mock-up data: It’s usually a good idea to write a program to generate a little realis- “Good morning, folks. tic data in sufficient quantities. (Call for Thanks for joining us. We details.) If there’s any question about want to discuss the fram- what realistic test data looks like, then mis, and how the depart- that’s all the more reason to learn to cre- ment will use it. As we all ate it. When several files, or referential know, the information files, are required, it’s a good idea again to comes from the customer copy the production files. In any case, program and system testers will be grate- and gets entered into ful later when you hand them the test the system here. And data generators. here, and here.”
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 23 Continued from page 24
“Ah, er, yes. OK, then, any other The very act of assembling the MV pro- system test environment, or at least a questions?”IMHOtotype clarifies a lot of the issues. Then mock-up of how the deliverable systems General laughter. the screens provide a medium for com- are supposed to work. So the walk- The big cheeze says, “Seriously, this is munication. The data involved is a basis through prototype adds real value. good progress. for questioning the data flow. The pres- But my personal favorite MV project tool ence of the mock-up demonstrates “But why don’t we move is the “whitespace” renegade. In February that calc down here? progress. The prototype elicits new of 2001, Mark Maletz and Nitin Nohria Then do the input all at thoughts, new understanding. The MV published research on these innovative once. You can expand mock-up replaces a lot of stale presenta- the project and just have tion slides and handouts that usually bore projects. “Whitespace” initiatives are the system produce that the audience and defeat the whole pur- those intrapreneurial experiments under- data automatically.” pose of the walkthrough. The next walk- taken in the ill-defined spaces between “Oh, ah, that was just what we had through can usually build on the organizations and sanctioned projects. in mind.” components. Best of all, at the end, the Those are the marginally-authorized General moans. prototype becomes infrastructure for the efforts where resources are scrounged,
24 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 rules are vague, and strategy is molten ... and “where entrepreneurial activity helps All organizations reinvent and renew an organization.” I some- times call them “Gravagnos.” One cherished do projects. characteristic of my PathfinderMV™ rapid “Temporary application deployment methodology is just such concurrent white space prototypes. endeavors to Here is how they work: Early in the project, high-risk technologies implement a and special milestone deliverables are iden- unique product tified. In the PathfinderMV methodology, whitespace prototypes are spun off the or service.” main project to test out new approaches and new software before these risks can de- rail the project’s critical path. Innovative Some are large, project team members are asked to build mock-ups, assemble prototypes, and report some are small. back, directly to the senior project lead. But if the Good ideas are folded into the project with the experience of the innovator leading the product is worth way. Everybody learns, and everybody wins. BTW: 25 years ago, the introduction of the effort then Microdata REALITY serial number the project is “0012” into a Fortune 100 insurance WEAVER CONSULTING company was just such a whitespace proj- Your Source for: worth some ect. Seems like yesterday. Big company, giant project, huge budget ... solved by a ¥ 200+MultiValue UTILITIES! innovative tiny little computer running an unknown ¥ HARDWARE & REHOSTING database, in the heart of a multi-billion- management. dollar IBM site. ¥ SOFTWARE & PROGRAMMING And that Who woodda thunk it, Bum? ¥ ANALYSIS, DESIGN, TRAINING All organizations do projects. “Temporary Authorized Dealer/Partner for: often means endeavors to implement a unique product Raining Data or service.” Some are large, some are small. Monolith Corporation MultiValue. But if the product is worth the effort then Accusoft Enterprises the project is worth some innovative man- Zumasys agement. And that often means MultiValue. JBSi IMHO. =/srv And Others See our catalog, tips, hints & more: www.weaver-consulting.com STEVE VANARSDALE is a project manager or write/call for free catalog Email: [email protected] and MV analyst for hire. He writes and consults nationwide from WEAVER CONSULTING his offices near Chicago. As he says, “No project too big, no 4553 Calumet Court Shingle Springs, CA 95682-9378 place too far. And no check too small.” ([email protected]) 530/676-6052 ¥ Fax 530/676-5675
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 25 mvReport Card
To maintain a competitive advantage in The Word on today’s fast paced climate, a Informer decision-maker can no longer he word is out on Informer, a powerful Web-based reporting solution from Raleigh, N.C.-based Entrinsik Inc. Informer afford to sit generated quite a buzz at a recent International Spectrum t regional conference and exhibition as a tool that provides quick, back and wait secure and easy access to tremendous amounts of corporate data from
for the IT staff anywhere at any time via a Web browser. Informer works with IBM’s U2 to modify or family of relational database management systems. create reports. The demand for corporate information is on the rise. To maintain a com- petitive advantage in today’s fast paced climate, a decision-maker can no
longer afford to sit back and wait for the IT staff to mod-
ify or create reports, the company said. Informer’s Web
access allows not only intra-company personnel to
access pertinent data, but also remote workers and
business associates, while still providing optimum
security. According to Entrinsik, Informer makes possi-
ble a unified business intelligence environment which
provides consistent, real-time information to everyone
who impacts key business processes.
26 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 Among its many capabilities are: In late August, Entrinsik announced the the world. About three years ago, we Direct access to native U2 files via general availability of Release 1.1 of developed a new product that adapted UniObjects. No need to establish an Informer. “We are excited about Informer SEMtek’s business logic into a Web ODBC link. and the power it gives our customers to application. access their data,” said Doug Leupen, pres- “When we showed this new Web-based User-friendly access to data using a ident and CEO of Entrinsik. “Informer software package to our existing clean set of reporting dictionaries and an has become extremely popular with our SEMtek customers, many of them intuitive user-interface. customers as it has made the data managed asked if we could package the reporting Report output can be displayed, down- by our vertical software product, SEMtek, functions as a separate package. We did loaded to PDF or Excel, or emailed. more valuable. We believe that same power and called the product Informer; it has will be greatly appreciated by other U2 Reports can be scheduled to run once, become very popular with our cus- application software users.” daily, weekly, or monthly, and delivered tomers. In September, with nine suc- via email at a given date and time Originally introduced to the MultiValue cessful months of selling and Complete data security using role- community at large in March 2002, supporting Informer within our own based access control to manage available Informer quickly evolved from a tool vertical market, we began marketing it functions and data elements. developed for Entrinsik’s SEMtek cus- as a horizontal product to all U2 data- tomers to a well-rounded product with base customers. The response has been For technical users, TCL statements can wide appeal to all U2 users. “For about 17 tremendous. Apparently we found a be entered as selection criteria for a report, years we have developed and marketed a need that needed to be filled.” and can be converted to Informer-style client-server/U2 based product into a ver- One of the needs that Entrinsik tapped selection criteria, providing GET-LIST tical market,” Leupen commented. “The into was reducing demands on IT staff capabilities product, SEMtek, is an enterprise system for many of the largest event producers in Continues on page 28
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 27 mvReport Card
Under the Hood of a Super-Charged Reporting Tool
Meta File Maintenance table (indicated by a ’+’), all fields in Drop down calendar for date entry The engine of the Informer product is that file are available, and can include selection the Meta File. The technical design and multiple levels. Groupings can be expanded and presentation elegance results in descrip- Any field being displayed is available contracted individually or with a tions of data that are concise and mean- for sorting and grouping. There are four single click ingful to the end user community. With levels of sorting and grouping. a standard U2 dictionary listing, field Reports can be instantly dropped names are often repetitive, extraneous, For technical users, TCL statements into MS Excel, Acrobat or email and non-descriptive. can be entered directly in the selection Clicking the “View” button allows criteria. The user can direct Informer to for run time custom views of the data Informer provides: convert the TCL statement into an The ability to create the Meta File Informer format for ease of use. Report Scheduling definitions from your existing data There are always key indicator reports dictionaries Public and Private Reports and Roles that need to be run on a continuing Meaningful names that will allow Informer has been designed to accom- basis. These types of reports are users to create reports without having to modate organizations regardless of size. typically shared with people at the rely on IT personnel to decipher the Often, the size of an organization dic- same level of management. definitions tates the levels of security within the Choose the start date, using the Easy maintenance of descriptions and organization. Informer relies on its role- drop down calendar, to begin the lengths for display purposes based design to ensure total security scheduled reports down to the field level. In addition, Links to associated fields, giving the Reports can be run at a specific time both public and private reports can be capability to drill down to associated created and saved. Reports can be run one time, daily, data when choosing display or select weekly or monthly fields on reports Private reports are available only to the employees specified on the report Easy selection of internal employees Report Definition and only if they have the correct securi- Reports can be sent to an external Informer offers flexibility in the defini- ty established with their role. email list tion phase of the reports. Users are able Roles can be established for individu- Text can be added to the email and to easily understand the industry-stan- als or groups of individuals easily maintained dard terminology and presentation. Almost any user who is familiar with “Lock out” role members for any From the emailed report, users can their application data can produce Informer function simply click on the report if they want meaningful reports with little or no User ID and passwords to change the view, drop into Excel or training required. Acrobat, or email to another person Running Informer Reports Data selection is flexible, virtually System Requirements Reports can easily be run via a Web any field on a file is available for selec- browser. All of the current report Entrinsik Informer requires ColdFusion tion. Multiple selections can be made definitions are used in the generation to run. The company has chosen with a determined variable or a “?” can of the report. Macromedia’s ColdFusion as its script- be entered for those variables which are ing language. ColdFusion MX supports prompted for and entered at run time. Users are prompted for run time all open industry standards and easily selection variables To select fields to print, simply click integrates with Entrinsik’s existing on the desired field and move it to the Easy selection of entries from associ- technology infrastructure. right. All fields for a file are displayed. ated code files In addition, by clicking on a joined Source: Entrinsik Inc.
28 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 The Word on Informer Looking for Continued from page 27 MV-compatible by giving end users the ability to query data and create their own reports as need- PRC¨ e-software ed. As organizational productivity is Get It Right From improved and IT expenses reduced, a pos- upgrades? itive ROI is achieved from corporate the Source. information investments. Want control over the changes According to Leupen, Informer’s success you make to your software? Need to answer the has been based on a number of features. PRC can help you get it critics about who else “First of all, it is Web-based, allowing right — and keep it secure. access to valuable data from any PC with For U2/MultiValue and uses MultiValue? a Web browser connected to the Internet SB+ environments or Intranet.” Problem Reporting Want to know In addition to that, Leupen ticks off a list Change Control where to get technical of many other capabilities that have made Project Management Informer a standout product. Among Time Tracking MV updates? them is fast data query that accesses the Test Management active U2 file system using the Uni- Deployment GO TO Objects low-level API. “This provides Rollback data selects and retrievals that approach Audit www.intl-spectrum.com the speed of TCL statements,” he stated. SJ+ Systems Associates “The incorporation of a Meta File to www.sjplus.com facilitate the easy development of a spe- 954•796•9868 YOUR RESOURCE cial reporting set of dictionaries is another key product feature,” Leupen said. “Just having a clean set of diction- aries makes the U2 data immediately Wouldn’t you like to know? more valuable to end users.” “... [project management] is concerned with a) influencing the factors that create changes to the cost baseline, b) determining when Informer’s friendly and intuitive inter- the cost baseline has been changed, and c) managing the actual face allows the data to be retrieved by changes when and as they occur.” any manager or end user who is familiar with Microsoft Outlook. A dynamic -from the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) file-join process allows users to pull Project Management Institute (www.pmi.com) 2000 Edition information from all related files with- out involving the IT staff to build spe- cial dictionaries. Another benefit is LIKE TO KNOW Informer’s Web report output, with YOUR PROJECT’S TRUE COST? BEFORE downloadable options to Adobe (PDF) IT’S OVER?! or Excel. Users also appreciate a special report viewer that allows individual users to modify their view of standard reports. Views can be modified in terms of data sorts, incorporated fields, and data grouping. A comprehensive MAKE THE CALL (847) 259-7224 security system controls user access by functions, actions and file properties Hands-On Project Management Professional (data elements). Planning. budgeting. development. Roll-Out. From an hour by phone to a year of critical projects. As Informer’s impressive showing proves, 3 Leupen concluded, “No other reporting U2/D MultiValue Oracleª SQL Serverª product for the U2 databases offers this [email protected] combination of important features.” is CPA, CIO, CDP, PMP Entrinsik Inc. can be contacted at ERP, MRP, POS HTML, XML, LAN, WAN (919) 848-4828. AAAA - Accounting Ain’t Art Anymore.
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 29 Designing Wireless
PDAApplications BY NATHAN RECTOR
In the last year, palm computing has taken off. The hardware and OS vendors have pro- gressively increased the functionality of their systems to include expansion slots and are now including wire- less networking as well.
Wireless networking is not new to the MultiValue marketplace, but it was a costly and specialized solution mainly found in ware- houses and retail stores. With the introductions of WiFi (802.11) and the increase in speed and availability of cellular data networks (GSM and CDPD), the average office worker is looking for wireless connectivity as well.
As developers, we are use to writing applications that reside on a main server. This allows instant updates to the program and fast real-time access to data. When developing wireless applications for PDAs, we have to learn new rules and considerations for programming:
30 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 Network type Cellular networks are picky about when network is available again. This is a much Speed of data transfer and where they will give you data. For the harder program to design than the first Processing of received data. most part, major metro areas will have cel- one since you have to consider temporary lular network access just about everywhere Security storage and the data being sent to the serv- but in basements. er cannot be time critical. Since you are going to lose your connection Batch updating: Using e-mail or other Network Type sometime, you need to decide what you are batch forms of data transmission to send There are two types of networks that you going to do about it. There are three design all changes to the server when done with are likely to program for: WiFi and cellu- philosophies you must choose from: the program. Again this requires some lar. You may run into Bluetooth networks, All data is sent in real time. If the net- temporary storage and the data can't be but for the most part they follow the same work goes down or is unavailable, then time critical, but you won't be able to rules as WiFi networks. they can't use the applications. This works retrieve information from the remote serv- Both network structures have similar issues well in a controlled environment like ware- er like you would with the first two. to deal with when it comes to loss of net- houses and retail stores using WiFi, since it work service. Wireless networks have lim- is easy to repair the problem. ited range, which means your users is When the network is not available, data Network Speed going to step outside that range sometime. The next thing to consider is network Cellular networks are more prone to this is stored to be sent later. This is the best speed. This comes in two parts. Network than WiFi and much harder to fix. To fix approach when working with cellular net- latency and bandwidth. If you are using dead spots in WiFi networks, all you need works. If the network is alive, then the data WiFi networks, then for the most part you to do is add another access point and you is sent right then. If the network is not don't need to worry about this. are up and running again. available, then the data is stored until the Continues on page 32
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 31 SOFTWISE PDA Applications When receiving the data from the wireless Continued from page 31 networks, it has to be processed. This will SoftwiseSoftware add time onto the already possibly lengthy If you are using cellular networks, then Your Complete MultiValue data transmission. Where we don't want a Solution Provider this is a major problem. Anyone who has large amount of data being sent because of used the Internet knows that it is slow at network bandwidth and speeds, we have Convert your application to GUI times. Add onto that the bandwidth limi- using AccuTerm 2K2 GUI Interface the same issues with the amount of data tations of cellular networks and you can (It doesn’t just look like Windows – being processed. 11 bytes of information It is Windows – Yet programmed in have wait times into the 500ms or more multivalue!!!) will take less time than 25 bytes. range. Now this doesn't look like a lot of GUI Training for AccuTerm 2K2 time, but this is a half second. Add two or (Worried about making the transition more requests back to back and we get into - we can help - classes available) Security one second and more. One thing we have Any information transmitted over wireless Graphical Financial Software learned over the years is that one second is links is subject to interception. Some of SoftwiseSoftware a long time to someone who is used to (Payroll, A/R, A/P, G/L and Fixed that information could be sensitive, such working with a 1.2Mhz PC. Assets – uses AccuTerm 2K2) as credit card numbers and other personal Multivalue Rehosting When dealing with bandwidth limitations, information. The solution needed really (We are partners for Raining Data we are also looking at how quickly large depends on the level of sensitivity. To pro- (D3/mvBase), JBASE and Universe) amounts of data are transmitted. A lot of vide a complete end-to-end security solu- Custom Multivalue Programming people talk about using XML and SOAP tion, you must implement it on both ends, Visit: www.softwiseco.com as the best network data transmission the PDA and the server. method, but both of these methods take One solution to consider when handling THE SOFTWISE CO., INC. large amounts of data to transmit limited (440) 236-5827 • Columbia Station, OH 44028 information. highly sensitive information is encryption: “Our 20th Year” the sender encrypts the data before trans- For example, suppose you want to send mitting it over the wireless link; the the string "Hello World," which is 11 authorized receiver receives the encrypted bytes of information. Transmitting this data and decrypts it using a key provided. information using XML can become 15 or Viságe more bytes minimum, and if you are using Mobile devices are already available, and SOAP, then it's going to become 25 to 50 all the necessary components and infra- Stamina Software bytes minimum. Granted this example structure are in place to begin developing by uses a small amount of data, but when you and deploying wireless applications. This 21st Century Application article discussed the important issues of Development Framework get into whole record sets, you may find your data bloated by 30 percent to 50 per- the wireless environment that must be Integrated Design Environment cent using these methods. considered when developing applications Ultra-thin Client for mobile wireless devices with limited Use your MV Basic skills If you are were transmitting data to a PC resources. It also offered hints and guide- Utilize HTTP, SSL, COM/DCOM, that wouldn't be a problem because the lines for dealing with the constraints Scripting, Java, XML, SOAP, .NET PC has the processing speed to handle it. is 4GL functionality A PDA does not. imposed by the wireless environment. Apply HTML, JavaScript, VBScript and still access multi media tools. Processing Speed NATHAN RECTOR, Low level interface capability to PDAs are not PCs. Anyone who has tried to a regular contributor to Spectrum, is owner communicate with any client write a program for a PDA using the same via HTTP. rules and considerations as a PC program Extensive client script libraries of Natec Systems, a consulting firm that soon finds this out. From the processing of Works with a range of MV database environments the database information to the processing specializes in D3, AP and R83 environ- of complex sorting and screen validation, Stamina Software Pty Ltd the PDA just can't do it like a PC. ments and custom programming. He can be PHONE: + 612 4953 8050; FAX: + 612 4953 8077 PDAs are getting faster, but they will always reached at [email protected] or www.staminasoftware.com be a limited platform for processing due to Email: [email protected] battery life, screen size, and weight. www.natecsystems.com.
32 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 @Better Results, Inc. P.O. Box 69404 Los Angeles, CA 90069 (877) 274-9070 • www.BetterResults.com Webonomics 101 inSecurity
eems like the Internet and the Web have penetrated Smost companies. Procurement, research, travel and other administrative processes have been introduced.
Many manufacturers and services depend on the Internet
to actually make or do whatever the business is all about.
Even the telephones, power supply, and banking of most
companies are wired for data.
34 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 What happens when any or all of those the right thing by looking into this area. the reports, the information that you need systems are hacked? Most people are reactive to security risks. to actually have a business in the first They implement changes only if they’ve place. These are the assets that ultimately The problem with grappling with the been hacked. It’s akin to adding barbed you are seeking to protect. enormity of system security is that it just wire and iron bars on the window when a seems like there are too many things to Protecting a stand-alone server with burglar breaks in, but not locking the consider. Every day it appears as though meaningless data might be necessary, but door when it was most convenient and some bored geek in the middle of nowhere it’s not as vital an activity as your primary reasonable. has figured out another way to decimate areas of need. your company’s productivity, all for the Well, to map out how to get to any desti- sake of a good laugh and an ego tickle. nation, you need to know where you’re Be sure to include things like email, pay- starting point is. So, the most important roll, credit card, source code, marketing In practical terms, there are pretty much activity is to benchmark where you are and sales, financial, customer and other just three main areas for you to consider today. This isn’t very difficult to do. We’re explosively sensitive materials in this list- when it comes to security. just talking about two activities. ing. A proper asset benchmark should be Network and or server configuration business oriented as well as technical. Identify your assets (computing, data, errors reports) You can do this benchmarking with your Operating system or software flaws current staff. Further activities might best Map out how the assets interconnect be served by your use of an outside audi- Human error You should remember that assets aren’t tor. Most companies feel more comfort- So how do you get to an improved security just the hardware that can be compro- able doing it themselves. Certainly, it’s less position? First, recognize that you’re doing mised. The hardware exists for the data, expensive in the short-term. However, as Continues on page 38
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 35 Webonomics 101 continued from page 35
with any auditing function, a frank analysis is often times better conducted by external staff. Here are just a few things that should be covered.
What are the current security policies?
What security is on your network infrastructure?
What security do you have for your servers?
How is your application security implemented?
What is management commitment or understanding regarding security?
Does the staff understand the various risks of their activities?
Once you’ve evaluated your current situ- ation, you can then proceed to examining the manners in which your security can be compromised. Most people sensibly focus on securing themselves from exter- nal attacks. The perimeter defense is easi- est and most understandable. It’s also the least intrusive.
In terms of warfare, it’s the reason the Have a new software United States has felt remarkably secure from external invasion for so long; this product for the country is for the most part rather dis- tant from its enemies.
MultiValue market? But as last year’s traumas in New York have shown, once you penetrate a Combine the power of your AD in perimeter, you can reveal many internal areas where security is distressingly weak. Spectrum magazine with a marketing The network security methods you campaign to one of our qualified email lists! employ might also suffer from such limi- tations. The perimeter defense can fail if: It’s more affordable than you think. The perimeter fails You are attacked by an internal agent Call Actually, both of these issues can be the 858-551-7855 result of internal staff. Many employees for a free quote today. have inadvertently compromised the perimeter by downloading infected files,
36 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 sending passwords over unsecured com- There are numerous examples of people munications, or even leaving their Palm giving away access. For example, the Pilot with password details alone in a bar. Some people intruder calls the help desk, says that You might not think that last example they’re new to the company and need a would be that threatening. Think again. implement new account and password. They are Have you have ever been at a conference given one. They might call back and where you noticed a competitor studying speak with another help desk person, your marketing materials? If so, then you changes only if asking how to access the system while already understand the abundant risks of working from home using their existing just leaving sensitive information on a they’ve been login information. The security is com- table top. promised a second time. Who needs technical hacking expertise if your own So what happens if your perimeter fails hacked. It’s akin staff is willing to give access away? and you lack internal controls? In the next issue, we’ll look at some of Your open system might as well not have to adding barbed the more technical ways these folks any security at that point to a seasoned examine your system. In the meantime, hacker, or worse cracker. (Network securi- wire and iron bars you might want to think of ways your ty folks tend to distinguish hackers from staff can be misled into revealing pass- malicious crackers.) Here are a few things words or creating accounts. As is often that have happened to many companies. on the window the case, training can be the easiest way An intruder gains access and does nothing when a burglar to get what you want. is The intruder gains access and reads your data
The intruder goes further and corrupts breaks in, but not or alters data MELVIN M. SORIANO works
The intruder controls the data and locking the door affects user access at Eagle Rock Information Systems, an
An intruder does not gain access but when it was most Internet Application Service Provider and instead spams from your site convenient and The intruder causes your network or WebWizard/MultiValue Developer. ERIS server to fail reasonable. The intruder causes other networks or has deployed enterprise-wide solutions servers to fail from your system on most MultiValue platforms and oper- Although the effects of these activities are not have intentionally allowed a malicious mostly internal to your organization, you intruder onto your facility, but if that can see that the effects on others can ating systems. HTM-Mel can be contact- burglar intentionally or unintentionally gravely limit your ability to conduct busi- harms another individual or company ness. If email operators notice that you ed at [email protected] and visited at using your resources, then you have a are a spam spawning ground, your email headache on your hands. may be strictly limited. If your network http://www.eriscorp.com/. You can was used to attack another company or How do these folks do it? Let’s imagine the Internet in general, you might need what a burglar typically does. The always call him directly at ERIS’s Pasade- to call your insurers or your lawyers on smartest ones do a stakeout and “case da your culpability. joint” as they say in the movies. How na offices: (626) 535-9658. smart does that person have to be? The comparison to burglars is quite rea- sonable in these discussions. You might Not very.
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 37 BY MARK JOHNSON Archiving Allow me to stand on my soapbox and comment about a programming practice Files that is disturbing to me. and Items reflect its evolution. This typically falls PRINT-ORDERS.OLD under the category of "version control." We programmers either PRINT-ORDERS.OLD.2 If you have a highly disciplined system add new programs PRINT-ORDERS.BACKUP with policies regarding 'releases' and or change existing PRINT-ORDERS.BU upgrades, then you have already created PRINT-ORDERS.HOLD and your own version control. If you are an programs. New programs end-user programmer and the system PRINT-ORDERS.0418 (April 18) are easy, just add them to evolves in sections instead of the entire application, then you run the risk of los- the existing menus and All of which seem to serve the immediate ing track of which versions are correct. processes. purpose but fail in the long run. Next If you have the discipline you can have month, when you need to make another PRINT-ORDERS.V1, PRINT-ORDERS.V2 change to PRINT-ORDERS, what name etc and hopefully the highest version num- Changing existing programs is very differ- would you archive the present version to? ber is the real run-time program. But if the ent because you have to consider two The worded methods are already taken PRINT-INVOICES program evolves slow- concepts in order to cover your bases. The and if you use them again, you will only er than the PRINT-ORDERS program, first is to retain the prior version in case have one level of backup. The 0418 then you would have both of their current you need to undo your changes. The sec- method could become 0520 (June 20) but version names as PRINT-ORDERS.V6 ond is to maintain the integrity of the in a few years, these suffixes are useless. and PRINT-INVOICES.V3. Having to possibly many places that the program Perhaps the most useful archive method is remember the version suffix would become was originally referenced. Here's where to use today's complete date as the suffix. quite a bother. the trouble comes from. Thus PRINT-ORDERS_020418 and Another renaming convention that I dis- In my travels I've seen quite a variety of PRINT-ORDERS_020520 could happily like is PRINT-ORDERS.NEW which different archiving methods and program re- co-exist in the same file and you would usually ends up becoming PRINT- naming conventions. Many are flawed and have a history of your program changes in ORDERS.NEW.1, etc., when those ver- one stands out and is worth mentioning. case you wish to see when any changes sions get changed. Again, the program were made. If your application has several references names get hard to remember and often the mixed punctuation gets in the way. to "RUN BP PRINT-ORDERS" and you By retaining the generic program's name, need to make changes to that program, you won't have the burden of finding all Many legacy systems have had a parade the best advice is to have the program the references to that program and chang- of programmers working on them, each retain its original and current name and ing them. This way, the other processes with a different archiving method. When just edit in the new changes. This would will gain the new improvements immedi- I see PRINT-ORDERS.OLD, I don't allow the multiple references to realize ately. Also, using the underscore character know when the changes were made. the changes. instead of a hyphen or period would cause Oftentimes I have to visit old programs archived programs to stand out for easy to see when changes are made and the Prior to making the changes to the pro- SSELECTING or otherwise excluding. .OLD is useless. gram you would want to archive the existing version. I've seen many expres- One method that is flawed is changing I've found that keeping the original pro- sions for this such as: the run-time name of the program to gram's name the same will insure that
38 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 any deviations to it are not on-line. If you ond, it would offer to edit that very same could create an archive file called CUS- need a version of PRINT-ORDERS for original item. This is typically the next TOMER_051402 and copy the items you one location and a different version for step after you archive the original. You are about to change onto it. You could another, then try to solve the difference could even add a sequential suffix if you edit a consistent item stored in the dic- within the same program instead of copy- DCOPY the same original more than tionary of this temporary file that you can ing the original and then making slight once in the same day. record the reason this file exists. Later, changes to the new copy for the other when reviewing dated files you can decide Thus DCOPY BP PRINT-ORDERS location. Chances are good that in a short if this archive file can be deleted. would perform the following two time you will have to make a change that functions: With today's huge capacity MV systems, is required on both copies and that having these archive files isn't too much becomes additional maintenance work. COPY BP PRINT-ORDERS of a burden on both disc space and tape Most differences can be solved within the TO:PRINT-ORDERS_020418 space. If you're running on a native sys- same program using parameters. and tem, you could DX them for the sake of In conclusion, archiving the prior version the file-save. is EDIT BP PRINT-ORDERS with today's date as the suffix will provide a useful history of changes as well as the MARK JOHNSON is a 23+ year veteran of Given the gratuitous length of some pro- assurance that none of them are on-line. gram names, DCOPY certainly will save the MV database and has worked on a variety Keeping the original program's name will some keystrokes. insure that the multiple references will of implementations. He specializes in main- retain their integrity. Finally, if you type SORT BP = "PRINT- taining and enhancing legacy systems and is ORDERS]" you could view all the histor- Finally, you could write a simple program available for contract, short and long term ical changes in date order and decide that could help with archiving your pro- which one to visit. programming projects in the New Jersey, New grams. I call mine DCOPY and it per- forms two functions. First, it copies the Another use of this date suffix is if you are York and Eastern Pennsylvania areas. He can item to a dated version of itself and sec- making a mass edit of a data file. You be reached at [email protected]
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INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 39 [ SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT] Exclusive! jBASE Software Changes Ha Becomes
s the old saying goes: the only jBASE Inte Athing that is constant is change. In the MultiValue industry it’s jBASE Software Bought by M all too familiar as yet another acquisition has taken place. The latest news is that jBASE Soft- ware, a pillar of the Mul- tiValue community since been reduced to five its founding in 1989, has from approximately 15 been purchased by people. The U.K. orga- Mpower1. But this time, nization’s development from the outset, the news team remains intact. In bodes well—for the the U.S., jBASE’s sales, acquired company as well pre-sales support, tech- as MultiValue observers. nical support and mar- As TEMENOS, jBASE Soft- keting support remain ware’s parent company The innerworkings of the jBASE DBMS the same. since 1999, refocuses its attention on its core busi- In a move generally viewed as On TEMENOS’ part, the reason for the ness, jBASE International positive by the MultiValue indus- sale is simple: in consideration of current plans to redouble its try, Mpower1, a U.K.-based economic conditions, it wants to get back efforts to increase the “business empowerment” compa- to its main business — marketing banking scope of the jBASE data- ny, has bought the jBASE Soft- software, said Dave Bryant, who retains the base management sys- ware business from TEMENOS, positions of president and CEO with jBASE Dave Bryant, tem worldwide. As which had acquired jBASE in International which he also held at jBASE president and jBASE, one of the more CEO, leads a 1999. The financial terms of the Software. “Marketing a database is not high-profile providers of a new venture deal were not disclosed. The new TEMENOS’ core business,” Bryant com- as jBASE company will now be known as mented. “TEMENOS still uses jBASE as its MultiValue DBMS, joins Software—no forces with a new partner, longer a part jBASE International. database and will continue with jBASE as its of TEMENOS— Mpower1, the MultiValue As a result of the acquisition, database of choice.” becomes jBASE community asks what it International. there have been changes in There were several organizations bidding can expect from this jBASE personnel in the U.K. for jBASE, Bryant revealed, but Mpow- newest acquisition? The U.K.-based jBASE staff has er1 emerged as the winner, for several rea-
40 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 thejBASE Product ands, jBASE is the flagship product of jBASE International's suite of database
management products and development
tools. jBASE is a multidimensional data- ernational base, a development environment includ- ing a development language, and a Mpower1 tinuing to develop new applications that middleware component allowing other incorporate the latest technologies. “Our mainstream and standards-based prod- sons. “The principals of Mpower1 have partners are developing brand-new appli- ucts to communicate with the jBASE had experience with marketing jBASE cations that take advantage of the Web products. products in Europe prior to this,” he and other new developments,” said said. “They have set up a couple of dis- Sharon Cunningham, jBASE’s director The unique jEDI middleware enables tributorships in Italy and Russia.” of Marketing. Sharing that the company access to other databases such as Ora- Mpower1’s global presence will prove benefi- has a “real good sense of the future,” she cle, DB2 and SQL Server. Microsoft Win- cial for jBASE as well as the MultiValue com- added: “We are in it for the long haul.” munity as a whole. “Because of Mpower1’s “We are excited about the potential for dows, all major UNIX platforms including contacts throughout the world, we expect to this deal, and the ability to grow both Linux, and IBM's e-Servers are supported. see significant growth in areas that up until jBASE and the MultiValue market,” now have not been known as centers for Bryant said. Many in the MultiValue jBASE is traditionally used as the core MultiValue databases,” Bryant commented. community feel reassured by the fact that technology platform for transaction pro- Bryant—who has long had ties to the Another positive stemming from the cessing applications in many industries, MultiValue marketplace—will continue acquisition is that it will allow “us to con- to lead jBASE through this latest transi- including the financial, local government, centrate on our own market,” according tion. His involvement in the industry distribution and automotive sectors. to Bryant. Post-acquisition, he said dates back to VMark Software, and before jBASE’s immediate goal is to continue that, Prime Computer (though not with jBASE is also ideally suited to e-com- the momentum it’s gained over the last the INFORMATION product). merce with its small, powerful and efficient few years. “We aim to maintain strong growth and find strong VARs in the U.S. He expressed that it is a “high-level of database engine that offers connectivity respect for the database architecture and the rest of the world,” he said. to all major Web-based development and its ability to bring power and per- Undoubtedly Mpower1’s financial back- formance to application development tools, using interfaces to technologies ing will help jBASE intensify its quest for around the world” that makes him a such as Java and Microsoft's COM. more VARs. “Mpower1 has significant staunch believer in the MultiValue way funds available for investing in jBASE,” jBASE products are deployed by more of doing things. “jBASE is keen on the Bryant stated. “We expect that to be used respect we have for partners and Multi- than 4,000 businesses and are used by to increase market share and to pursue Value,” he said. “We work with our over 150,000 people worldwide. new business development.” partners to prove to the mainstream
Throughout this transitional period, that we are capable of competing with Source: jBASE International jBASE stresses that its partners are con- the best in the world.” is
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 41 Consumer Chronicles eCommerceClassic Solutions Successfully Implements New cXML-Based Capabilities Classic Solutions, based in Irvine, Calif., has successfully authorized Home Depot stores using the completed the first live installation of its new cXML- ’Ariba Buyer’ facilities) 24 hours a day, 7 based eCommerce integration capabilities. days a week. These orders were to be transmitted over the Internet using Classic Solutions' customer is ordering of non-store products (all those HTTP in a cXML representation accord- a Rancho Santa Margarita, products used in the operation of their ing to specifications (DTD’s) published Calif.-based company which business, rather than those re-sold to the by cXML.org. (cXML is a specific XML has marketed and distrib- public) using eCommerce. This will vocabulary offering a streamlined proto- uted its quality packaging replace a plethora of expensive inaccurate col intended for consistent communica- products nationwide to and time-consuming manual methods tion of business documents between retail, industrial and man- such as printed catalogs, faxes and tele- procurement applications, e-commerce ufacturing accounts since phone calls. It mandated that all its sup- hubs and suppliers.) 1988 using five distribu- pliers provide online catalogs and full Orders had to be fully validated using the tion facilities located order processing using the industry-lead- existing internal database and business across the United States. ing Ariba Commerce Services Network rules then acknowledged or rejected with The company has been framework. Failure to fully participate in appropriate supporting information benefiting from the high this rapid evolution would result in using cXML messaging back to Ariba level of business efficiency Home Depot replacing this supplier by CSN. After further automated order pro- made possible by its Clas- one whose business operations and meth- cessing (stock checking, production of sic Solutions' Distribu- ods totally supported the integration with picking lists, back ordering when insuffi- tion and Accounting Ariba CSN. cient product, etc.) and following ship- system since 1994 and has ment preparation, Advance Shipment experienced solid growth The Deadline Notices (ASNs) were to be produced in with little, if any, increase Businesses' needs change seemingly cXML and transmitted back to Ariba. in IT or staff costs. The overnight in today's rapid Internet-fueled Classic Solutions Distribu- business environment, yet software devel- Further integration with the existing in- tion and Accounting system opment project time scales have proven house Classic Solutions’ system would be (one of a related family of resistant to compression without signifi- needed to provide the capability for man- products for manufacturers, cantly sacrificing quality. Although the ual intervention in the normally fully distributors and importers) requirements had been evident for automated process (for exceptional cases has used several of the Multi- months, the Classic Solutions team was only) by allowing manually initiated cre- Value databases available over only approached less than a month prior ation and transmission of cXML order the years and leveraged their to the Home Depot “live” date and had rejection and acceptance notices as well as associated languages for encod- to respond with rapid, yet robust software shipping information. There was to be ing business rules. development to ensure Right-This-Time little, if any, additional knowledge or quality and On-Time deployment. training required for existing staff. The Challenge The Home Depot-one of the The Requirement The Success country's largest home improve- The supplier needed to be able to accept The entire Ariba CSN interface and inte- ment and D.I.Y. superstores-is mov- orders for any goods in its online catalog gration was designed, specified, devel- ing aggressively to conduct all of its (hosted on the Ariba CSN and placed by oped, tested, documented and delivered
42 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 Fax this form to with cXML documents flowing between (858) 551-7866 Ariba CSN and the Home Depot’s sup- pliers’ existing in-house Classic Solutions and keep system by the deadline set by the Home Spectrum magazines Depot. Since then, the order volume has increased substantially as more and more coming FREE for 1 year!! Home Depot stores come online-without additional staff being necessary. Under normal fully automated operation there is NAME TITLE nothing new for the existing staff to do, or know, with regards to the Classic Solu- COMPANY tions system they are familiar with. Ware- house and shipping staff, as well as office ADDRESS and order processing employees, did not have to alter their previous operations CITY STATE ZIP business processes.
The Technology PHONE FAX The middleware selected to operate E-MAIL WEB SITE between the Microsoft Internet Informa- tion Server (IIS) Web interface and the mv*BASE MultiValue database was Web- SIGNATURE DATE Wizard from Via Systems Inc. Classic (All questions must be answered. Incomplete forms will not be processed. Complimentary subscriptions are limited to U.S. addresses.) Solutions wrote a significant amount of software to receive, parse, validate, 1. What is your job function/title? process, create and send cXML business Principal/Owner Sales/Marketing documents. Full audit, error reporting President/GM/CEO Programmer/Analyst and configurable diagnostic tracing was MIS/DP Manager Purchasing built in from the beginning. Controller/Financial Consultant The Future VP/Department Head Other ______For this Home Depot supplier, and Clas- 2. Is your company a (check one): sic Solutions’ customer, the future is Computer System Supplier Dealer/OEM/VAR Software House bright. Not only were they able to retain the Home Depot (its No. 1 customer), Consultant End User Other ______but it will be able to increase business vol- ume with almost no further IT or 3. What MultiValue Databases does your company use? (check all that apply) employee costs over the next few years. D3 Native MultiValue Reality Other______Future integration with invoicing and jBASE uniData UniVerse uniVision electronic payments systems is also possi- ble using the same Classic Solutions basic 5. What major business/industry most clearly describes your company? technology. Also, through its participa- Accounting Medical Direct Marketing Legal tion in the Ariba CSN (www.ariba.com) there is the possibility of winning new Banking/Finance Dental Construction Retail business from other companies using the Education Insurance Other ______Ariba Buyer system. 6. What are your firm’s approximate gross annual sales? Classic Solutions is now able to offer sim- Under $500,000 $500,000 - $1 million ilar XML-based interoperation and inte- gration with eCommerce hubs and Over $1 million - $5 million Over $5 million - $10 million exchanges to its existing and future cus- Over $10 million - $25 million Over $25 million - $100 million tomer base and will continue to make Over $100 million - $500 million Over $500 million available appropriate information tech- FREE SUBSCRIPTION IS 11/02 nology advances as they arise. is
INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 43 news
Continued from page 19 applications for small to medium firms: Sales and Order Entry, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering, Production Man- custom software package and needed agement, Inventory and Distribution, computer infrastructure stabilization. Product Configuration, Quality, Customer We’re looking for more of these joint Service, Field Service and Executive opportunities.” Information System (EIS). Hartley & Associates, located in Santa Ron Vogel, co-founder of Rover Data Ana, Calif., has provided professional Systems, stated: “The strategic alliance services to the high tech community with a complete services firm like TRG since 1984. Services include interim gives Rover Data a more complete and management, organization building, robust offering. The M3 System with
makers recruiting, sales, marketing, advertising, TRG’s services and implementation Web site creation and Web marketing. expertise provides our clients a Additional technical services cover complete solution to their computing management of system migration projects. and software needs.” TRG is a professional services/consult- Agreement with Rover ing company that provides IT services Data Systems Expands and products to its customers that are TRG’s Offerings located throughout the United States. TRG has consultants that are experts in TRG has formed a strategic alliance with Pick/MultiValue, UNIX/Linux, Windows Rover Data Systems, a premier provider NT/2000/XP and the Web. TRG is a of Manufacturing and Inventory Software Microsoft Certified Partner (MCP) and a (MRP and ERP) for the small and medi- reseller of Raining Data and IBM prod- um sized enterprise market. “Expanding ucts. TRG is a wholly owned subsidiary our offering of IT services and premier of Datafaction, a leading supplier of software solutions to more organizations accounting software since 1976. Datafac- is a prime reason for forming an alliance tion is also a reseller of Raining Data and with Rover Data Systems,” stated Mar- has a depth of experience in the MultiVal- shall. “Additionally, this strategic alliance ue database market. TRG and Datafaction will enhance the manufacturing and dis- are part of Softline Limited, a leading tribution software solutions available to global information technology group. TRG’s customers and prospects. We look forward to a mutually beneficial long- For more information, term alliance with Rover Data.” visit www.picktrg.com, Rover Data Systems has been suc- www.hartleyandassociates.com cessfully implementing their Millennium or www.roverdata.com. 3 (M3) Manufacturing and Inventory Control systems for over 12 years for manufacturers and distributors in such diverse industries as electronics compo- nents and assembly, auto aftermarket and OEM, aircraft/aerospace, government sub-contractors, and power systems. The M3 system offers a complete set of
44 INTERNATIONAL SPECTRUM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 Partners Health Care Technical Resource Group Announces Goes Live with Web-based Expanded Support Desk Services Physician Order Entry Technical Resource Group (TRG) is now offering expanded support desk services. System Built on With the implementation of new internal procedures, a dedicated support manager, InterSystems’ CACHÉ and a call handling software package named Resolve, TRG can now provide support for new customers on an as-needed basis. Previously, TRG only provided announced that a InterSystems Corp. support to existing TRG customers new Web-based physician order entry “TRG is known for outstanding customer service; however, we were concerned (POE) system is making a substantial as a result of our growth, that it was important to put in place the necessary contribution to the quality of care deliv- foundation to enable support calls to be handled as efficiently as possible,” ered in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stated Kevin Marshall, president of TRG. “The initial response from our customers (NICU) at Partners HealthCare’s Brigham with our new procedures in place has been very positive and we see this as and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Built on allowing our company to grow, while still providing excellent support to our the CACHÉ post-relational database, the customers.” application increases protection against The new customers can be end users or software companies that would like human error in the NICU, which provides intensive care for approximately 1,400 TRG to provide first-call support to their customers. Support problems may be infants annually. submitted to TRG via email, phone, fax or the TRG Web site. At any time, TRG can In October, the Web-based POE went provide a customer with status on their support call and a complete log of their live in the NICU, where infants are under support activity. TRG will still provide the personal touch that it is so well known 24-hour care. Many of the babies in the and respected for in the business technology arena. unit are very small — typically between TRG’s support desk staff can assist customers with the following: 2.5 and 5.5 pounds in weight — and Problems with Operating Systems (Windows, AIX & UNIX/Linux) slight variations in medications make a Problems with Database Environments huge difference. The Web-based POE (Pick/MultiValue, SQL Server & Access) automatically calculates prescription Problems with Application Software dosages based on each baby’s weight General System Failures before placing the order directly to the Poor application, Web site, Email or printing performance hospital’s pharmacy, eliminating errors Virus Attacks that could occur when calculations are LAN & WAN Networking Issues performed manually or prescriptions are written by hand. The system also enables Any organizations interested in having TRG support their organization on any physicians and nurses to order X-rays, information technology problems can contact TRG via phone: (714) 708-8112 lab tests and other procedures across a email: [email protected] or the Web site: www.picktrg.com. secure Web connection. “Taking our existing POE to the Web was the next logical step for us, as we Approximately 200 nurses, nine attend- computer screen means more time for develop applications that raise the level ing physicians and 11 resident physicians patient care.” of care for patients,” says Partners CTO inside the NICU are using the system “Partners HealthCare is setting new Steve Flammini. “Initial rollout of our extensively, placing about 400 new orders standards with the implementation of the client/server network-based POE resulted during each 12-hour shift for the floor’s CACHÉ-based POE in the NICU,” says in a 17 percent reduction in adverse drug 50 patients. For added convenience and Paul Grabscheid, InterSystems’ vice reactions throughout the hospital, saving mobility for caregivers, wireless access to president of Strategic Planning. “We’re us as much as $10 million annually. We Partners’ POE also is available. proud to have the opportunity to work expect to see a major impact from the “The Web environment offers the with them as technology partners in Web-based POE. Web-enabling the sys- potential for much faster order input,” making this initiative a reality.” tem further demonstrates Partners’ com- says Linda Winfield, a nurse and corpo- For more information, visit www.Inter- mitment to providing the highest rate team leader in clinical systems man- Systems.com. possible level of care for our patients.” agement at Partners. “Less time at the
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