The post-millennium IT world is demanding the replacement of the traditional terminal-based user interface with Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and browser-based front ends. With the Orion Socket Transaction Toolset, a company's HP e3000 legacy application can be re-engineered to use a GUI or browser-based user interface (or BOTH!) while keeping the data management and batch processing on the HP e3000, which is known for its secure, reliable, and efficient OnLine Transaction Processing environment. Requiring no modifications, legacy application data remains on the HP e3000 and is accessed by native TurboIMAGE calls.
The HP e3000 components of the Orion Socket Transaction Toolset includes a socket service (i.e., a Listener process). The Listener process runs in the background and waits for socket requests from a PC/web client. Once a socket connection is opened, a child process is created. This child process is a COBOL program which accesses existing MPE data and application logic which have been transformed into subroutines. These subroutines are shareable and reusable objects which are accessed as needed by the client. Legacy reports and batch processes can continue to be used.
A manager process is also provided on the HP e3000. This process allows for a controlled shutdown o f the Listener/child processes, provides information about all users which have initiated a process since the Listener was started up, and allows the user to set a logging level to log information passed through the socket connections (connections, transaction requests, errors, etc.).
The client presentation layer toolset components can be developed in any language which supports access to C++ objects and methods. Orion Group's development tools of choice are Visual Foxpro for GUI user interfaces and ASP or Java for browser-based user interfaces. This presentation layer which would utilize pull-down windows, scrollbars, buttons, and pop-up windows replaces the antiquated terminal-based user interface found in the HP e3000 legacy application.
Middle layer toolset components reside on the client as well. These components, developed in C++ and Java, include objects and methods designed to work in conjunction with the HP e3000 and presentation layer components. Included in the toolset are middle layer components to handle socket connectivity and login security. All necessary middle layer components are provided in the toolset.
In summary, the ability to meet current and future IT needs and desires doesn't have to require the sacrifice of any of the HP e3000 OnLine Transaction Processing strengths. The Orion Socket Transaction Toolset allows an existing application to be given a GUI and/or web-based user interface without having to convert existing data or even to stop using the existing legacy terminal-based applications. The investment in a company's legacy application and data can be maintained and cost-effectively enhanced.
Orion Group Socket Toolset Demo Order Form
Orion Group Software Engineers, Inc. Software License Agreement
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