IBM System i application modernization

Fast and certain way to modernize System i applications

RAMP – the Rapid Application Modernization Process – is the fastest and most certain way to modernize System i (iSeries and AS/400) business applications.

But what are the real differences between a modern and a so-called legacy system? Is there any demonstrable business value in legacy application modernisation and, if so, are you facing an arduous journey with little real benefit?

Legacy System	Modern System
Cryptic, text-based user interface	Intuitive graphical user interface
Complex, tree-like hierarchy	Point-and-Click navigation
Too many screens and keystrokes	One-click access to data
Isolated, standalone application	Full desktop and Office integration
Requires IT expertise to make changes	User configurable, on-demand reports
Brittle and hard to change	Agile and component-based for reuse
Limited by device type, e.g. 5250 terminal	Windows / Web / Mobile / PDA
Decreasing skills and vendor support	Ready skills and universally supported
Closed with limited interoperability	Open standards like Web Services
Tied to server and database technology	Cross-platform, database independent

The RAMP System i application modernization path

First, you use LANSA's visual application framework to design an intuitive graphical user interface. This avoids the problems inherent in using your existing application as a foundation. Next, you populate the application framework with repurposed functionality from your existing applications – reducing the cost and risk associated with system replacement while matching the speed of delivery of refacing and code conversion tools. Then, you can incrementally deliver high-priority enhancements and gradually reengineer or extend your business applications.

What can you do with RAMP?

Snap 5250 screens into a rich GUI framework: RAMP gives your green-screen business applications a Microsoft Outlook-style user interface familiar to many users.
Add new functions at your own pace: Progressively extend application functionality with email, video, voice, Web browser interfaces and desktop integration without disruption to your business and customers.
Enhance application/platform image: A modernised user interface combined with the performance and reliability of the System i (iSeries and AS/400) platform can vastly improve the image of an application and produce a formidable combination.
Solves the legacy application navigation problem: Replace old 5250 tree-like menu structures that have many hidden paths with a point-and-click graphical user interface.
Generate Windows rich-client and Web applications with one tool: Once you are on the LANSA platform, you can deliver your application on System i, Windows, Linux and mobile devices.

Modernize your legacy applications at your own pace

You determine the level of legacy application modernization. You determine the level of consolidation. You determine the most useful enhancements to your business application portfolio. You can Web-enable parts of your application to provide a self- service portal, consume and publish Web services or deliver new functionality to meet business requirements – all within the same application framework that serves as a platform for full enterprise application modernization.

Companies rewriting their core systems with traditional tools or implementing new packaged solutions, must continue to use their outdated, inefficient systems while they redevelop or migrate. By the time of implementation, often years later, requirements have changed and the new system is already out of date. RAMP’s incremental approach to legacy system replacement lowers the risk of failure, speeds up delivery time and keeps the new system in sync with the evolving needs of the business.

Boost user productivity without disruption

The RAMP modernization process is non-intrusive, easy to deploy and takes into account the real-world requirements of customers who want to modernize their applications without disruption. By consolidating functionality from multiple software systems and packages into a single application framework, you can significantly increase user productivity. Plus new functionality can be introduced incrementally and without serious impact to business operations. Gives a consistent user interface to applications. No changes are required to existing 5250 applications, and specific IBM i or OS/400 operating system and hardware upgrades are not required to deploy a RAMP application. Read the RAMP Overview

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We chose RAMP from LANSA over other modernization tools because, clearly, the LANSA user interface is superior in its presentation layer and includes a feature-rich development environment. Now with the new, more intuitive RAMPed application we’ve seen the significant productivity improvements. RAMP from LANSA is simply the right choice in leveraging our extensive legacy applications.

André Dubé, IT Manager, CHS Grain & Oilseed

We picked RAMP from LANSA because of our urgent time-to-market requirements. No other solution could have done the job. The benefit of RAMP is clear when you consider what users would have to do if they had 16 green-screen sessions. Just logging in and navigating through the menus would be impossibly time-consuming. The drop-down selections, improved screen layouts and automated screen navigation have been crucial in reducing call time, which is a major part of this project's ROI.

Peter Olsen, Manager, Genesys Development, Gannett Co., Inc.

Our METHOS application is a leading product for plant and facility maintenance but it has a 5250 interface. The market demands more than just screen scraping and a rewrite was not a good answer because of time, money and risk of losing capabilities in the process. With RAMP from LANSA we can now deliver Web or client/server capabilities for METHOS without risk. In addition to the very rapid delivery model, we have a dramatic improvement in application navigation, simplification and expansion of our business into the ASP model.

Thom Davidson, President at Rippe & Kingston Systems