RE: Alternatives to iSeries Access

I have been intensely involved in 5250 software for over twenty years.  My top
choice is still Synapse IP Client as the best simple display, printer, and file
transfer product available.  A free demo is at http://www.synapse.com but it's
easier to try the real thing on their 30 day evaluation program.

They offer free upgrades and free tech support (no maintenance contracts) but
you'll probably not need tech support as the product is very mature and, simply
put, works.

If you want simple and straight forward this is it.  The whole program including
context sensitive help takes up 7MB on the hard drive.  I recently wrote a
Basic program that generated a humungus macro that ran for thirty plus minutes
and created 212 end of year jobs in Robot.  I can't imagine having to do this
manually.

The man behind Synapse is former IBMer Joe Frank who was a senior architect of
the SSP operating system on the S3x.  He also developed the first file transfer
system (ETU/3x-400) which is still in use extensively today.

His 5250 code has been inside emulation products from SSI, Emerald, Andres,
Nlynx, Connectronnix, DCA, Attachmate, NetSoft, Fraser's Hill and Techland Blue
Lynx.

I use, recommend, sell, and support Synapse products (for good reasons).


Jerry Draper
Trilobyte Software Systems


Quoting Tom Liotta <qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>:

> midrange-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> >   9. Alternatives to iSeries Access (Steve Morrison)
> >
> >We are curious about alternatives to IBM's iSeries Access/Client Access.
> >What TN5250 type products work well? Are some acceptable for casual access,
> >but not tough enough for data entry?
> >
> >All of our people are using PCs with Ethernet cards, mostly within our
> >building, but some do need access through a VPN. 
> 
> 
> Steve:
> 
> Client Access/iSeries Access is far beyond just TN5250 which is part of why
> it's so big. But if TN5250 is truly all you need, then CA/iA is also far too
> much for you. (I've never understood why IBM didn't make just a
> TN5250/TN5250E emulator available except to allow competitive niches.)
> 
> I don't think any of the mainstream TN5250 competitors are below data entry
> standards. The ones already listed are plenty good and others are as well.
> And I don't think you'll find significant problems, especially problems that
> wouldn't affect CA/iA just as much or worse.
> 
> Tom Liotta
> 
> -- 
> Tom Liotta
> The PowerTech Group, Inc.
> 19426 68th Avenue South
> Kent, WA 98032
> Phone  253-872-7788 x313
> Fax    253-872-7904
> http://www.powertech.com
> 
> 
> 
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