IBM Introduces Two New Web-to-Host Software Offerings
Because of the rapid expansion and popularity of the Web, the old adage that time is money has taken on great importance in the business world, with more and more companies looking to quickly move their applications to the Web.
| "Our customers don't want to start from scratch, so this offering allows customers to very quickly Web-enable their applications," says IBM's Anthony. |
With this in mind, IBM continued to expand its Web-to-host initiatives with the introductions of two new software offerings, IBM Host Access Client package version 1.0 and WebSphere Host Integration Solution version 2.0. These new packages enable companies to extend host applications to the Web without additional programming and also provide them with a path to move into more advanced e-business applications as they grow.
“Our customers want to get legacy information out to the Web,” says Joe Anthony, program director, IBM Host Integration Server. “We’re helping them to do that and also setting them up to do more advanced e-business applications.”
IBM is touting Host Access Client Package V1 as the only offering available on the market that combines traditional emulation (IBM Personal Communicator), thin client emulation (IBM WebSphere Host On-Demand), and screen rejuvenation (and IBM Screen Customizer), all in one package.
This new package enables simple access to host information via a Web client, supports OS/400, OS/390, AIX, OS/2, Solaris, Windows 2000, Windows NT, HP-UX, and Linux operating systems, and will be available on Sept. 18 at a price of $299 per user.
“Our customers don’t want to start from scratch, so this offering allows customers to very quickly Web-enable their applications,” says Anthony.
Based on open industry standards, WebSphere Host Integration Solution V2 allows companies to quickly extend host applications to the Web with no additional programming and without making changes to existing applications.
“How do I get my information and data to the Web is a big concern of our customers,” says Anthony. “By giving them the infrastructure to move their applications to the Web without making changes, we allow them to move to so more quickly and easily.”
In addition to Personal Communications, WebSphere Host On-Demand, WebSphere Host Publisher and Communications Server, this new offering now also includes Screen Customizer, WebSphere Studio Professional Edition and WebSphere Application Server Advanced Edition.
Screen Customizer is used for creating and deploying graphical front ends to host applications, while the addition of the new WebSphere components provides customers with the flexibility to leverage legacy systems with new e-business solutions very quickly.
WebSphere Host Integration Solution V2 runs on the same platforms as Host Access, and will be available Nov. 30 at a price of $360 for registered users and $450 for concurrent users.
Along with the two new offerings, IBM also introduced new versions of some of its Host Access Software line. They are Host On-Demand Version 5, Screen Customizer Version 2, WebSphere Host publisher Version 2.2, and Personal Communication for Windows Version 5.
Although the AS/400 is just one of the platforms that IBM is targeting with their new Web-to-host offerings, Anthony says there has been a positive response from the AS/400 community of late. “We’ve invested a lot in the AS/400,” he says. “Since the Y2K lockdown ended, we’ve had a lot of AS/400 companies move their applications to the Web. There’s been more growth on the AS/400 side than the S/390 side.”
Over the next couple of years, the Web-to-host market is expected to explode, as a report by leading analyst group IDC (Framingham, Mass.) says the market will grow from revenues of $240 million in 1999 to $1.5 billion by 2004.
The report shows IBM leading this emerging market, with a 33 percent market share for Web-to-host software in 1999. The next nearest competitor, Attachmate, holds an 18% share.
According to Anthony, one of the biggest factors that sets IBM apart from its competitors is their ability to grow with the customer.
“Our philosophy is to start simple, and move quickly. When our customers are ready to move to more advanced e-business applications, we’ll be there to help them make that move into phase two of e-business applications,” he says. “Our competitors are not positioning their customers to move to the next level.”
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WRQ’s Reflection is on the WebRiding the Wave of Web-to-HostRelated Information:
IBM AS/400 Division (new window)IBM WebSphere Page (new window)