IBM WAS V5.0.2 for Linux on iSeries and pSeries
In March, WebSphere Application Server support for i/pSeries Linux was announced. This is a single WAS product for Linux on IBM PowerPC-based servers. WAS V5 for POWER Linux is binary compatible and is the same product for i & pSeries Linux.

By the 3nd Quarter of 2003 (approximately around the end of July), they plan to announce iSeries specifics for WAS V5.0.2 for POWER Linux. Quarantello listed the following key positioning points behind this upcoming announcement:

• Provides a Linux based e-business infrastructure for transaction-based Web solutions;

• Leverage Linux market place: skills and OpenSource applications;

• WAS V5 for POWER Linux is ideal server consolidation environment;

• WAS V5 Enterprise offers larger iSeries customers and ISV's new WAS support.

Host Access Transformation Server (HATS)
The next topic of discussion involved Host Access Transformation Server, which converts green screens to GUIs on the fly, in real time, as shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

HATS converts green screens to a Web-based GUI. Click picture for a larger image.

The new announcement is the introduction of HATS LE, HATS Limited Edition for iSeries (at http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/access/hatsle/). HATS Limited Edition is designed to dynamically transform 5250 screens with a point-and-click Web interface. Screens are then converted and delivered as HTML to the end user's Web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape). HATS LE doesn't require access to source code, and it rejuvenates legacy applications with a Web-like look and feel. It provides stock HTML templates that can be tailored (for example, change the company name and logo in the template) and integrates with WebSphere Application Server.

HATS LE will be available on June 30, 2003 and will automatically ship with new orders for 5722-XW1. Customers with 5722-XW1 can order a chargeable upgrade to the full HATS offering in WebSphere Host Integration Solution (HIS).

The iSeries roadmap to J2EE
Finally, Quarantello introduced the iSeries roadmap to J2EE. The Solutions Enablement team and the Toronto application development team are working to create this roadmap, which will provide visibility for application developers to migrate from RPG to WebSphere. This evolving roadmap, pictured in Figure B, will become a core marketing and technical message.

FIGURE B

The Roadmap To J2EE will provide guidance for iSeries application developers. Click picture for a larger image.

Customers and partners may enter the roadmap at any stage and may choose to exit at any stage as well. The roadmap entry points are pictured in Figure C.

FIGURE C

There are many points of entry and exit on the roadmap. Click picture for a larger image.

Quarantello summed up by saying that the focus of the next generation of iSeries is achieving simplicity in an on demand world. He stressed that WebSphere is critical to iSeries customers' e-business success in the future, which is why WebSphere-Express V5 is most important WebSphere announcement ever for iSeries. iSeries customers & ISVs have many low-cost options to "Start Simple," as IBM puts it, including WebSphere-Express V5 for iSeries, the IBM WebFacing Tool, iSeries Access for the Web, WebSphere Host Publisher, and Host Access Transformation Server and HATS LE. Finally, the roadmap to J2EE will provide guidance for iSeries application developers as they move forward.

Steve Niles is Senior Editor for ZATZ:Pure Internet Publishing. He is also an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. For more information, visit http://www.sn-films.com.