Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
How to Achieve Mainframe
Application Modernization Goals
without Redevelopment to Other
Platforms
Presented by: David Kirk
Axios Products, Inc.
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization Goals
without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Discussion Points
Benefits of Output Modernization
An Example of Output Modernization
Goals for Output Modernization
Key Functions of the Modernized Process
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Appearance Matters
Is the format or look of your
legacy output detracting from the
known performance & reliability
of your legacy applications?
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Looks Versus Substance
Is the time, cost & risk of
recreating well established legacy
applications on newer, often less
reliable platforms worth it?
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Benefits of Modernization
Reduce
Errors & Costs by Using Machine
Readable Encoding in the Data
Costs Associated with Report
Generation & Distribution
Recovery Time from Printer or
Server Outages
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Benefits of Modernization
Achieve
More Timely, Electronic Delivery
of Output
Integration of Output into the
Recipients IT Environment
…All without the time, cost & complication of
migrating the existing legacy applications
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Modernization Example:
Improve Functionality and Efficiency of
Manufacturing & Shipping Processes
Incorporate MachineReadable Bar Codes into
Printed Picking Lists
Initiate Automated or
Assisted Picking by
Scanning the Bar Code
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Segmentation:
Improve Efficiency and Reduce Costs
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Report Access:
Improve Customer Service and Easy Recall
XYZ & CO.
123 Main Street
San Francisco, CA
Customer Order Summary
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Goals of Output Modernization:
Key Functions
Minimal Modification to the
Existing Application Code
Data Capture Directly from the
JES Spool
Ability to Segment the Output
Programmatically into Deliverable
Units Specific to a Defined Recipient
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Goals of Output Modernization:
Key Functions
Allow Additional Post-Processing
(i.e. email distribution, input to
other user applications across
multiple platforms)
Text, PDF or HTML Formatting
Archival & Storage Options that
Improve Access & Retrieval
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Functions:
Create a PDF or HTML Shell
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
<head>
<title>Sample Order</title>
<style type="text/css">
body
{ background-color: White ;
font-size: medium ;
color: Black }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<pre>
<p>
<a name="Top_Of_Document"></a>
</p>
<center>
<b><font color=Black size=6>
<img src="http://www.axios.com/images/ropes_logo.gif" border=0 align=left >
Sample Order
</font>
</b>
</center>
<font face="Courier">
SAN FRANCISCO
081788-001
110128
THS TEST FREIGHT
T.STEWART ACCT
T.STEWART ACCT
SHIP ADDR LINE
SHIP ADDR LINE
V31055008-01
SHIP CITY
BILLTO ATTN
SHP DESC1
SHP DESC2
1
2
PA 15238
06/22/93
BLX
REPRINT
V31055008-01
T.STEWART BILLTO DESC1
T.STEWART BILLTO DESC2
BILLTO ADDR 1
BILLTO ADDR 2
BILLTO CITY
T.STEWART ACCT SHP
1
1
PITTSBURGH PA 15238
THS TEST FREIGHT
081788-001
PA 15219
DESC1
Standard HTML or PDF
document coding will produce
new outputs in the more easily
distributed, web-friendly
formats.
The modernized output can be
used as Mime-encoded
attachments for e-mail or to
create files suitable for use as
links from a web page on
internal or external web servers
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Functions:
Incorporate Bar Codes, Logos & More
Bar codes can be printed by
IPDS & PPDS printers. Include
a variety of bar code fonts in a
PCL data stream to print with
little change to the application.
Include a logo or other image as
a graphical element on HTML
formatted output
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Functions:
Parse Output Based on Your Rules
Original
Output
Distribution
Rules &
Patterns
Distribution
Part 1
Convert
To PDF
E-mail to
Client
Distribution
Part 2
Convert
To HTML
Post on
Web Site
Distribution
Part 3
Convert
To PDF
Post on
Web Site
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Distribution
Part n
Retain as
Text
E-mail to
Client
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Functions:
Track Output Status
Easily Track Status
of any Application
Output & Status of
Associated Printers
or Other Output
Devices.
Sample Web Interface
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
How to Achieve Mainframe Application Modernization
Goals without Redevelopment to Other Platforms
Key Functions:
CICS BTS Containers
Use CICS BTS containers, for example,
to pass output between the spooler and
any user application, regardless of the
platform, allowing post-processing,
whether or not it is a mainframe
application.
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
Ultimately, your modernized
methods or selected tools
should rely on only the
availability of the existing
output for additional
processing and should not
prevent the concurrent use of
the output during the
development process
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
Output Modernization:
The Best of Both Worlds
Retain
The Strength and Reliability of the
Z-system Hardware
The Business Intelligence of the
Existing Legacy Applications
The Superior z/OS Security (RAC-F,
ACF2, etc.)
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
Output Modernization:
The Best of Both Worlds
Avoid
The Cost of Large-Scale Migration
& Application Development
Extended Implementation Schedules
of New Application Roll-Outs
New Application Training Costs for
End Users
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
Output Modernization:
The Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy
Expanded Distribution Options
Reduced Print Costs (less paper/less waste)
Better Control of Print Streams & Devices
Improved Efficiency in Overall Business
Practices
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
Legacy Output Modernization –
An Alternative to Application Migration
Thank You for Your
Time & Attention
Presented by: David Kirk
Axios Products, Inc.
Axios Products, Inc. 2012 All Rights Reserved www.axios.com
