IBM Unveils AS/400 A/D Tools Network
Application support for the AS/400 is better than it has ever been. With so many choices of applications from third-party vendors, and customers having such specific needs, IBM has established the Application Development Tools Network for AS/400 program.
The program is designed to establish and promote a set of premium quality AS/400 application development/deployment options that supports a strategy of application modernization and demonstrates the AS/400’s open architecture and rich tools and middleware portfolio.
To participate in the Application Development Tools Network for AS/400, ISVs must be an Entry or Premium level member of AS/400 Partners in Development and pay a $500 fee.
"Not just anyone in the world can join, you have to demonstrate some level of credibility on the platform," says Doug Fulmer, IBM segment manager for AS/400 application development tools. "As our partners do well, the AS/400 does well. "We want to make the pie bigger for everyone and make the awareness level among our customers bigger."
At press time, 36 ISVs were participating in the program. Tools providers are divided into four areas – Application Generators, Business Intelligence, E-Commerce/Web Deployment and Integration/New Technologies.
Customers can see a current listing of participating tools vendors on the A/D Tools Network for AS/400 Web site atwww.as400.ibm.com/developer/tools. They can link directly to these vendors’ homepages, read customer success stories and case studies about the solutions, access white papers and other technical information about the AS/400, take an online course on application development modernization strategy and get a listing of upcoming conferences and seminars.
Tools vendors can apply for membership in the program online at the site.