Re: VisualAge RPG for AS/400?

[Booth Martin <booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you for taking the time to answer Trevor.

We did a similar project but used a different approach.  We used a 
dataque.  Every three or four minutes we poll the website data, and if 
there is an order there we create a dataque entry.  The dataque feeds a 
program that takes the entry clerk to a familiar place, but with a lot 
of information already filled in.  A lot of the keying is already done 
by the web user, like name & address, but we don't count that time 
because they're not on payroll.

We did find substantial improvements in performance.

Trevor Perry wrote:
> Wow, lots of detailed questions.
>
> I used the tools from looksoftware to reface and repurpose the order entry 
> application. The issue was that the green screen application had a large 
> amount of rules that had to be used for order entry. Human interaction is 
> required on each order at this time - to confirm inventory, check price 
> levels, etc.. We left all those in place and automated the entry of orders 
> from their website. Previously, they were receiving an order via email, 
> which they would print and re-key. We asked for a web service from the order 
> website, but they had no concept at the time, so we settled for an FTP file. 
> We used that to automate each order entry.
>
> We could have FTP'd the file to the iSeries and coded RPG to process the 
> order, but using the looksoftware tools was incredibly faster than any of 
> the possibilities with the green code. I would expect that with a small 
> amount of RPG effort, we might have been able to enter orders a little 
> faster. To gain a two time or more speed increase would have required a 
> large application development effort.
>
> Now we have the best of both worlds - the RPG application has all the rules, 
> and we modify them in one place. The entry itself takes place on the clerk's 
> PC and we have taken advantage of all the desktop integration. We use 
> automatic cut and paste from another desktop application. We automatically 
> create an email from Outlook. We open a web page to confirm the order for 
> the order website. All this is done during the automated process, and the 
> clerk spends an average of 6 clicks to enter an order, rather than all that 
> data entry typing. I do have two development tools, but the maintenance on 
> the automation process has been minor over the last 2 years.
>
> Of course, this is simply the first step in modernizing the application. The 
> next step is to integrate the web order entry tightly with the back end RPG 
> order entry application. This will allow inventory levels to be real time, 
> and the order entry process will become just a confirmation of any orders 
> that are flagged as needing attention.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Booth Martin"
> Subject: Re: VisualAge RPG for AS/400?
>
>
> > I hear you Trevor.  These changes are needed in many of the old legacy
> > applications, no question about it.
> >
> > As Jon said, I am sure you took advantage of all the design choices that
> > improved performance.  I am curious though.   What is the interface?
> > Browser? Visual Basic?
> >
> > Also, as you say, the application was not so much replaced as it was
> > transformed.  As you look back on it do you have a feel for how much
> > transformation could have been made if you'd opted to transform, but use
> > green screen?  Would the advantages still have been 5 to 1?
> >
> > Am I reading between the lines here?  Are you saying the development
> > time with the tools was also much faster than green screen development?