Tool-Assisted Reengineering with eavRPM®
Tool-assisted reengineering is the process of changing an existing application so that it uses a new database management system, a new language, and a new look-and-feel but retains the same basic functionality, with tools specifically designed to automate or ease portions of these tasks. Rapid Program Modernization (eavRPM), an extension of Modern Systems' eav suite of products, is a comprehensive modernization tool designed for that purpose.
Reengineering is performed using eavRPM to develop the new application, allowing business analysts to be involved in the decision of what business rules to retain, and what visual and navigational enhancements should be incorporated. Conversion is performed using DB-Shuttle® and provides a 100% automated move to the new platform with a functionally equivalent deliverable and no changes to the output. Tool-assisted reengineering allows you to have more control over the move to the new infrastructure, including the ability to reengineer sub-systems one at a time.
eavRPM User Interface
Mainframe Web Development
eavRPM uses mainframe applications as the basis for new off-mainframe applications. Using copy and paste techniques, the existing screens and underlying business rules can be reengineered quickly and efficiently. The newly generated applications are object oriented, well documented, and ready to be maintained using any standards-compliant IDE, with no further licensing fees from the old platform. The screens can be enhanced to use drop down menus, check boxes, and graphic buttons while maintaining familiar F keys, Tab, and Enter sequences. Application code is provided in C# or Java, while web pages are generated using HTML, XML and CSS.
eavRPM is built upon the eav® framework to facilitate complete application understanding and documentation.
Simple COBOL or Natural Reengineering
eavRPM was designed to simplify the COBOL or Natural reengineering process by leveraging a direct connection to SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2. Lines of COBOL or Natural code are captured and automatically converted to C# or Java. Screens can be split, merged, or changed depending on the requirements of the new application while the business logic remains intact in the new language. Style sheets are available to maintain visual consistency in the modernized program as well. Company logos (as well as database queries and other objects) are easily dragged and dropped for a uniform look. Depending on its scope, a complete application can be prototyped in a matter of hours or even minutes.
Modernization the Way You Want It
Reengineering with eavRPM can be performed as a service by Modern Systems or by your development team with eavRPM licenses. The result: Native web applications with no middleware, no blackboxes, and no ongoing license fees. The benefit: Leverage proven business rules with a brand new user interface, continued keyboard features with new mouse-driven and scrollable features, and much lower operating costs. The bottom line: Lower cost, more features, full agility, complete scalability, and the ability to add colors, graphics, video, and all of the visual interest that today's online experience demands.
eavRPM Features
The developement of Enterprise Application Viewer Rapid Program Modernization (eavRPM) was driven by market demand for a complete suite of tools that enable concurrent application reengineering during the conversion process. In essence, companies that wanted to be able to make changes to their applications while migrating to newer platforms. They are now able accomplish this with eavRPM.
With eavRPM, Modern Systems can provide modernization services or your in-house development team can seamlessly convert from mainframe applications to C# or Java while also having the freedom to customize the user interface and functionality of existing applications.
- Provides an intuitive User Interface for ease of use
- Allows rapid modernization, reengineering, and conversion
- Works with SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2 data stores. The new database can be a mirror of an existing database, can be created from scratch, or can fit into an out-of-the-box ERP or SAP package
- Uses eav’s underlying SQL Server database
- Allows a COBOL or Natural developer to create native C# or Java applications
- Captures map layouts with the ability to copy and paste BMS MAPS or Natural MAPS, turning them into HTML and ASPX with C# code behind files or to Java running in the IDE of your choice
- Captures and converts lines of code from mainframe to C# or Java
- Provides eav’s viewing capabilities for application understanding
- Permits viewing and querying data during the development lifecycle
- Includes conversion features
- Processes renaming rules
- Allows enhancement of existing mainframe functionality
- Generates automatic buttons, pull-downs, grids, and scroll bars
- Produces program and relationship diagrams for understanding
- Permits application and program traversal
- Produces self-documented and well structured applications
- Is available as a service or a licensed tool
Additional Resources
Datasheets & FAQ
Products
- eav Datasheet - Enterprise Application Viewer (eav) is an application understanding and documentation tool.
Whitepapers
- Tool-Assisted Reengineering of COBOL or Natural Applications - Agile development philosophies such as DevOps, rapid expansion of expectations around mobile-friendly business practices, and world-class cloud infrastructure are placing pressure on CIOs and Enterprise Architects to modernize legacy systems to the changing landscape or risk losing competitive edge and market share.
- How To Bring DevOps to Modernized Mainframe Applications - Improve deployment frequency, lower failure rates, shorten lead time between fixes, and speed mean time to recovery by bringing DevOps to modernized mainframe applications.
Case Studies
- University of California, Santa Barbara Modernizes Their Student Information Platform - With help from Modern Systems, UCSB converted its code and data from its suite of Software AG ADABAS/Natural applications on an IBM mainframe to a platform based on Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise. Find out how.