Who is
INFINITE Software? | Top
We were founded in the mid 1970's. Infinite Software
and IBM jointly developed RPG compilers that ran on
DOS and later, Windows. Later, we moved from just
the compilers to the utilities and jointly (with
IBM) developed a complete replication of the
System/32 environment that executed under DOS. We
jointly marketed that system. Later, we undertook
other development projects that included replicating
the System/34, 36, 38 and AS/400 environments.
What is INFINITE
WEB? | Top
INFINITE WEB is an interface that provides a front
end for AS/400, Mainframe applications, or those
rehosted to INFINITE. It does three very important
things:
• It renders text screens in a graphical format to
the user. This means that the user is seeing Windows
screens rather than a terminal screen
• It allows the application to be published to the
web, so users will access the system through their
Internet browser rather than through emulation
software
• It does enterprise application integration – that
is it lets the legacy application work seamlessly
with other applications in the enterprise.
Is
INFINITE WEB a screen scraper? |
Top
No, INFINITE WEB works very differently than a
screen scraper. A screen scraper does a simple
translation of an entire text screen into a
graphical one. INFINITE WEB transforms each object
on the screen (i.e. labels, input fields, etc) into
XML objects that can in turn be “consumed” by other
applications. Depending upon the task, the
integration can be done via a trigger embedded into
the screen or via web services for more complex
integration projects.
Can
competitive products (i.e. JWalk, NewLook,
Jacada, WebSphere) be used with Infinite ISeries to
make our screens graphical. Do you support it? |
Top
No. The INFINITE products are distributed with
INFINITE WEB included. It is a complete solution
consisting of a Graphical Interface, web enablement
tool and integration component. INFINITE WEB can be
used to develop screens for the iSeries, Infinite
migration products and Mainframe. Again, our
philosophy is easy, one set of source to support for
multiple platforms, one set of screens for multiple
platforms.
How does
INFINITE WEB, the front end multi-function product,
work? | Top
INFINITE WEB provides an intelligent on-the-fly
interpretation of the 5250 or 3270 data stream using
a recognition engine. INFINITE WEB has a default
mode that transforms the appearance of text screens
(data stream and attributes) to graphical screens as
Windows controls. For example, the background can
contain an image vs. black or the option numbers on
the menu can be changed to menu buttons so that the
user simply click on a menu item to select. This
default mode of operation requires no reprogramming
or recompilation of the application.
The INFINITE WEB Visual Designer provides a set of
Recognition Agents via a ‘Configuration’ menu to
select, change, and add recognition rules. The
screens can be manipulated at the Base Form level to
override, change or add functionality to achieve a
fully functional Windows application. Once the
plug-ins have been configured, the events are
established and executed for all of the
screens/forms that are generated as a result of the
data stream being produced by the application or on
the host.
When desirable, the application developer can
uniquely customize the standard environment to suit
the needs of a particular system, application or
program. In addition, for a more complete
transformation to a graphical environment, INFINITE
WEB provides a unique Visual Designer capability for
specific field-by-field customizations to standard
AS/400, mainframe and migrated screens and menus.
The customizations are created using the INFINITE
WEB Visual Designer; a graphical WYSIWYG (What You
See Is What You Get) editor.
Can I
use INFINITE WEB with my AS/400-based and
rehosted versions of my application? |
Top
Yes, INFINITE WEB is designed to be used with
multiple host types – AS/400, INFINITE Rehosting
products and Mainframe. You simply develop one set
of screen customizations no matter what platform you
interface to.
How many customers do you have on this product?
| Top
There are over 10,000 customers and over 100,000
sites that have used us to rehost and execute their
IBM midrange applications. We have small
AS/400-based software shops in niche markets that
use us to provide a Windows or UNIX version for them
to large multi-national companies like Kodak, DHL
and Caterpillar.
How
are INFINITE products deployed? |
Top
There are two components required to deploy Infinite
products to end user sites – a server license that
provides the operating environment and a package of
concurrent session licenses for browser clients.
How many developer licenses are included in a
Development System license? |
Top
The Development System includes a single developer
network license. Optionally you can add incremental
licenses for more developers.
How are INFINITE Rehosting products licensed?
INFINITE Rehosting products are licensed to an
individual processor or server. License modes are
development or execution. Typically a development
environment is established with the rehosting suite
and screen editors. When deploying a rehosted
application, the package will include an execution
environment, web server component and a package of
concurrent session licenses that provide user
access.
What
are the licensed components? |
Top
Development Environment: The INFINITE rehosting
Development System is licensed for the programming
language (RPG or COBOL) and one platform (Windows (XPP,
2000, 2003 and NT), UNIX (AIX, HPUX, Solaris) or
Linux (Red Hat) and ships with one network developer
license. With the purchase of incremental developer
licenses, multiple developers can access the same
Development System. The Development System includes
the Rehosting Suite to do migration, recompilation
and future development, the INFINITE WEB front end
including the recognition engine, visual screen
editor and application manager and the powerful
Infinite BI tools.
Deployment at an AS/400 Site: The developer can
deploy the AS/400-based version of the application
using the INFINITE WEB™ multi-function front end.
The implementation will use two components –
INFINITE WEB™ Server and a quantity of concurrent
session licenses. When the number of requested
sessions exceeds the number of licenses, the system
will display a ‘server busy’ message until one
becomes available.
Deployment with a INFINITE Rehosted Host: When
deploying a rehosted application, the required
components are an execution environment to run the
application, INFINITE WEB™ server on the web server
and a quantity of concurrent session licenses. A
typical installation may include two web servers –
an intranet placed inside the firewall and an
Internet server that allows restricted use of some
portions of the legacy application (i.e. Order
Inquiry).
Can I get
an evaluation copy? | Top
We do not provide evaluation versions of the product
– not because we don’t want to – but we find that
the attempt to use the product is generally
unsuccessful unless accompanied by training. Our
support group is not geared to do over the phone
technology transfer. We do not want you to become
frustrated.
Does Infinite Software offer a guarantee period?
| Top
Infinite products have been used to deploy AS/400
applications around the world. However, we
understand that the concept of rehosting legacy
applications can sound great … but unbelievable.
That is why we offer this software guarantee: If the
developer encounters a technical problem with a
documented feature of the Infinite products and
provides a reproducible test case to Infinite
Software who is unable to provide a resolution or
workaround to the issue within a reasonable period
of time, Infinite Software will refund 50% of the
cost of software licenses.
How can I be sure INFINITE will meet my needs
without purchasing all the software and services?
| Top
You can engage an engagement analysis. This is a
paid service where we will migrate a single module
of your application along with a sample data set,
create global agents to render green screens in
graphical mode and a sample report using the BI
tool. This will give the customer first hand
confirmation that Infinite products can modernize
your legacy application
The next step is to complete the engagement
analysis. We schedule training for your team so you
can are able to maintain and continue future
development on your application.
Is
product training available? |
Top
Infinite Software offers training programs on the
use of the rehosting suite, screen editor, web
deployment and application module development and BI
tools. These are structured as workshops for
individual users working on your own code as
coursework. At the end of the session you will have
much of the work done and clearly defined next steps
to guide you to completion. Your Infinite Software
mentor will work closely with you until your project
has been completed. When done, you will work with
the Technical Support group to address any specific
issues.
What services can Infinite Software provide?
| Top
Infinite Software offers a portfolio of standard and
customized services to either complete projects on
your behalf or to team with you to complete it.
What is the difference between training and custom
implementation services? |
Top
Training is a technology transfer session based on a
specific curriculum (get a copy from your account
executive). Custom implementation are services to
provide mentoring to overcome issues you may have in
rehosting, creating screen customizations and to do
advanced tasks. Based on our experience working with
developers in many types of environments we find
that issues can and do come up that require
additional assistance or advice to resolve.
Does Maintenance cover new versions/releases?
| Top
Support covers product updates at no cost and
liberal discounts on new versions. The term "Update"
means changes to the program code, documentation
changes, improvements to correct known defects or
maintain the operational quality of the INFINITE
software. Updates are designated by an increase
represented by “y” in the Release product
identification (e.g. INFINITE/XX Ver x Rel y). The
term “Version” means a new product offering within
the brand family that offers sufficiently new
features as to be designated by an increase
represented by“x” in the Version product
identification (e.g. INFINITE/XX Ver x Rel y)
Why
should I buy INFINITE products versus
competitors? | Top
All INFINITE products are developed in accordance
with our mission. The products are easy to use, fast
to deploy, and value priced. What specific products
have you looked at … perhaps we can help you with a
more specific evaluation.
How much
does INFINITEweb cost? |
Top
You will find INFINITE WEB to be the most complete
modernization environment on the market today.
That’s why we are the world leader. We price our
products to be an affordable alternative to
redevelopment of your current applications.
How do I get
started? | Top
Your Infinite Software account executive or
authorized Business Partner will be happy to give
you a proposal for a complete package including
software licenses, training, services and
maintenance.
Or download it and get started right now yourself!
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