Expresso Series is a comprehensive suite of software development and deployment tools designed to provide seamless integration of heterogeneous legacy systems into Web and client/server applications. Expresso's non-intrusive approach to legacy system integration eliminates the risk associated with traditional legacy integration tools which require changes to existing legacy systems or installing new software on the mainframe. Expresso employs cutting edge, object oriented technology and advanced pattern-recognition algorithms to provide fast and efficient access to legacy applications without compromising the security, robustness and availability of the existing legacy systems. With Expresso Series, developers can build new applications in a fraction of the time required of conventional development tools while leveraging their investment in existing legacy systems. The net result is reduced cost and increased productivity combined with a scalable, multi-tier enterprise architecture with load-balancing and failover support.

Features and Benefits

• Intuitive Point & Click Interface Requires no Coding and no Scripting
  Rapid Legacy Application Integration into Web and Client/Server environments. Cuts the development time 10 -- 15 times compared to traditional HLLAPI options.
• Non-intrusive approach to Legacy Integration
  Preserves customer investment in existing legacy systems. Eliminates the risk of disrupting customer operating environment and Information Systems.
• Concurrent access to multiple heterogeneous legacy systems
  A developer can easily combine data from multiple legacy data sources (IBM mainframe, AS/400, UNIX, VAX/VMS) into a single Web page or C/S app.
• Multi-Tier Architecture
  Deployment Flexibility of 3 or N-tier architecture provides scalability and robustness required for enterprise deployment.
• Open Architecture
  Development Flexibility of various Client/Server and Web development environments including Java, Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, Visual C++, Forte, OpenStep (Rhapsody), WebObjects.
• Multi-threaded Architecture with Load Balancing and Failover Support
  Reliability and Robustness required for Enterprise Deployment.
• Security
  Supports all mainframe security packages (RACF, ACF-2, Top Secret). Provides additional multi-level security that can be coupled with the security schema of the selected deployment platform (Solaris, Win NT).
• Maintenance and Support
  Fuzzy logic is provided to accommodate host screen changes. When significant traversal logic changes occur, a single, server-resident application model needs to be updated. No changes are required to the client application. ExpressoServer provides comprehensive audit trail facility.
• Runtime Monitoring and Error Handling
  Audit-trail facility provides multi-level diagnostic and logging (based on UserID, Client IP address/DNS name, Model name). Runtime statistic gathering.
• Expandability
  Supports multiple concurrent development and deployment platforms. Simultaneously supports C/S and Web applications. Easily expandable to accommodate new platforms.
• Migration Options
  Employs a Database paradigm for legacy system access. Legacy Data Source is completely independent from the application business logic and can be accessed via ODBC. Switching from a mainframe to C/S only requires changes to data source access layer. Step-wise migration options.
• Development Effort & Ease of Use
  Point & Click GUI Modeling tool. Simple methods to access data from developer chosen environment. No external skill sets needed other than knowledge of legacy application screens and knowledge of chosen development environment.

Legacy Application Analysis & Debugging Tools

• Graphical Analyzer
  Graphical tree view of legacy application including traversal paths and navigation display
• Performance Analyzer
  Tool for determining and optimizing traversal performance
• Screen Signature Analyzer
  Tool for comparing screen signatures (which are generated automatically) and modifying signature if conflict
• Model Validator
  Tool that verifies completeness and traversability of the model
• Mainframe Emulator
  Development tool which allows model building to take place off-line using traces
• Tracing Facility
  Captures terminal data streams for playback and debugging in Mainframe Emulator
• Off-line Snapshot Mode
  Allows developer to work offline using snapshots of screens
• Development SDK
  Compatible with chosen development environment debugger