IBM Software
Group
EGL
- Simplify Innovation
IBM Rational
37 EGL Success Stories
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
AMS (Account Management Services)
Enterprise Modernization
Challenge: Replace paper reports and green screen inquiries with a Web based
solution, provide clients with a Web interface while tapping into the existing knowledge
pool
Results: After 2 weeks on online training, was able to deploy first application in about
a week: Diehard green-screeners have embraced new web interface and have
delivered to our clients “ahead of our competitor” interface
"I was able to learn, code, and deploy a full application in less than 60 days. My user base loves the new interface!!!”
Nick Leonessa, Senior System i Developer, AMS
2
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
APIS IT
Deliver new EU compliance systems based on SOA
Challenge:
Tight deadlines for delivery of new systems to comply with EU requirements
Adhere to IT wide SOA architectural framework and use trusted CICS environment as a
service requester and provider
Insufficient time to skill up new development staff on CICS
Results:
“EGL programming model is simple enough and easy to learn for developers with different
backgrounds and different initial skills”
“ …training costs very low (compared to other technologies)”
“ We can count on a very flexible pool of “business developers” and move people around
projects.”
“We
expect 2-3 times faster development than using traditional programming technologies….”
Robert Stanko, Application Development Manager, APIS IT
3
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Arkansas Data Services
Deliver B2B retailer Web solution
Challenge:
Deliver a Web based B2B ordering system for wholesale men’s formalwear
rental business under an aggressive deadline
Solution:
Leverage existing Order entry system (RPG) core functionality with a
completely new JSF based interface
Results:
In the time allocated for a prototype, ADS had the entire system up and
running ready for final test
“Our original estimate for this project using Java/JSF was 4-6 months and our client would never accept that. With EGL we
were ready for test in 4 weeks! ”
Rusty Gadberry - Arkansas Data Services
4
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
ASIST
Re-platform and modernize Client legacy systems.
Challenge :
Client strategy required downsizing from z/OS based mainframe to System i box, but
replacing home grown applications with off-the shelf solutions was not feasible.
Solution:
Leverage EGL as target application code that is platform-neutral and that supports new
web application architectures while allowing running business critical logic on the new
environment.
Convert old IBM 4gl and PL/I programs to EGL, exploiting EGL Java Server Faces
support for a complete modernization of the z/OS systems
Results : EGL provided a unique solution that allowed ASIST to combine the value of
legacy code with modern technology. EGL close affinity with traditional programming
semantics and the powerful tooling enabled ASIST to fulfill the Client requirement with no
delays and within budget. The Client was extremely pleased and ASIST secured
additional business opportunity
“EGL enabled ASIST, a Belgian System Integrator, to deliver the complete project to the client in a record time of one year with
only 2 Full Time ASIST Developers”
Maurice Brouwers, CEO
55
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Celink
Enterprise Modernization
Challenge: With its reverse mortgage servicing business growing rapidly, Celink was
undertaking development of its platform of the future, while seamlessly continuing to meet
ever-increasing client demands.
Solution: Celink worked with IBM Business Partners One Point Solutions and M Systems
International, Inc., to develop a new Web-based system for servicing reverse mortgages
using IBM Enterprise Generation Language and IBM middleware.
Results: Celink ensured continued scalability and reliability of its core systems by migrating
to IBM DB2, and used data compression to reduce storage requirements and backup times.
IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software and IBM WebSphere
Application Server provided a proven development and deployment platform that increased
development flexibility and created business opportunities.
“Anybody that works in financial services can tell you that each client has a unique set of reporting and business
functionalities, so the faster we can adapt and react to each individual client’s requirements, the better we are at meeting our
client’s objectives. With IBM solutions, we built the next generation of our system with new functionality to handle virtually all
situations."
Brent Steiner, Chief Technology Officer--Celink
6
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
CentreSoft
Enterprise Modernization – Green Screen to Wireless Devices
The Challenge
CentreSoft, together with its sister company PDQ Distribution Ltd, is UK’s largest distributor of
computer and video games. They had been investigating ways to web enable their green screen
systems, but had not found one that would meet their needs.
The Solution
CentreSoft commissioned Morpheus, an IBM premier Partner, a study to evaluate how EGL could
meet their modernization needs. Morpheus sketched out a design for the application, and in half
of the allocated time, produced a web application available on a wireless device that searched
for pending transactions by warehouse and product code, and retrieved individual transaction
details from the search results displaying quantity allocated to specific warehouse stock locations.
The Benefit
Mobile access to the stock control system through simple, robust hand-held devices allow
CentreSoft to quickly realize real benefits through more efficient use of staff time and timely
updates of stock availability.
“Thanks for your efforts over the last few days. What we have achieved has opened a whole new avenue
for future developments within the warehouse.” – Project Leader, CentreSoft
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
ClearBlade Solutions
Enterprise Modernization Done Rationally
Why does ClearBlade focus it’s business on EGL?
 IBM provides the only language that effectively combines legacy enterprise systems with
new, Web-focused languages and technologies. EGL is the perfect fit for our customers who
are modernizing their existing applications.
 EGL gives us the flexibility to meet our customer’s needs. Whether their existing code is in
RPG, COBOL, PowerBuilder, other 4GLs, thick client or TUI…, we can design a solution for
them centered around EGL.
 EGL is strategic. Companies interested in solving their long-term development needs want a
language that has history, is current, and supported by a large, stable vendor. EGL gives
ClearBlade a competitive advantage in the marketplace for Enterprise Modernization.
 EGL works. Plain and simple, we have had a great deal of success using EGL on our
consulting engagements.
“EGL is the only language in existence that can effectively address the complex problem of modernizing legacy systems. IBM
knows how to do this well. We’ve bet our business on EGL because it works.”
Eric Simone – CEO, ClearBlade
8
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Community Health and Counseling Services
Accelerated Web Development with EGL
Challenge: When the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) instituted
plans for a behavioral health managed care system, Community Health and Counseling
Services (CHCS) needed to rapidly develop managed care modules for its electronic
medical record (EMR) system. .
Solution: CHCS used Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) to implement a Web-based
prior authorization tracking system and establish a foundation for quickly responding to
evolving regulatory demands. .
Key Benefits: In fewer than three months, a small CHCS development team completed its first
system with EGL more than four months ahead of the state mandated deadline. By
accelerating in-house software development, the company is now better able to respond to
changing regulatory requirements in short time frames.
“We have very experienced programmer analysts that know RPG very well. With EGL, we are not going to lose that strength;
we are going to complement it with the ability to deploy browser-based user interfaces.”
Valerie Levy, MIS Manager
9
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
COSTAISA
End-to-end software factory based on Model Driven Business Development with EGL

Challenge: Core business mix of Consulting and Development of Health Management
package needs to change, increasing the percentage of Consultancy work. To achieve
this goal the software development of the package must become significantly more
efficient, and today siloed development and obsolete architecture must be modernized
and industrialized.

Solution: Use EGL as a common business development language. Design, implement
and use a base SOA EGL framework. Define a base Software Factory Process to allow
the construction of software product lines based on MDD.

Results : The development skills are now unified. The development teams, most of them
from the COBOL area are now able to write J2EE applications. The right software process
factory and a good EGL framework have increased by 3 the already high EGL
productivity.
“The development process has been unified from requirements to testing, from presentation to data storage.”
Jesús Villagrasa,Director Metodología y Calidad
10
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Egyptian Ministry of Interior
Enterprise Modernization
Challenge: Faced with growing pressures to comply with anti-terror measures, the Egyptian
Ministry of Interior had to streamline the process of collecting information from its 15 remote
offices and improve the responsiveness of the ministry with access to up-to-date information.
Solution: The Ministry of Interior engaged IBM Business Partner eSmartSoft Information
Systems to Web enable its existing Informix 4GL legacy system. Using EGL, Informix Dynamic
Server, and IBM middleware – together with the IBM Informix 4GL to EGL Conversion Utility
the team automatically converted the legacy system into a Java- and Web-based solution
Results: The entire project was completed in 2 months, enabling the ministry to rapidly
streamline a core business process while leveraging the value of its existing business rules
and mature application design. The ministry saved an estimated 50 % on the cost of the effort,
cut development time by 10 months, and avoided the risks of redeveloping the entire system.
In addition, the ministry is now positioned to respond quickly to future need with an open
solution based on SOA and Web.
“We saved 50 percent of the budget by converting from I4GL to EGL instead of redeveloping the system. The system, which
would have required a year to develop, was completed in just two months. In addition, we avoided all the risks associated with
trying to re-implement our complex business logic,”
Ehab Abdelwahed, Lead Engineer at the Egyptian MOI
11
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
eSmartSoft
Leveraging EGL to transform and modernize aging 4gl applications
Challenge :
Several of our clients were becoming unable to keep up with modern business challenges
as their aging TUI based application technologies, such as Informix 4gl and RPG, did not
offer a way forward and their developers could not afford the time to learn new
programming technologies and rewrite their core systems.
Solution:
Leverage EGL as target for a largely automated transformation from i4gl and RPG,
combining with complementary conversion of old User Interfaces to EGL Web UIs.
EGL was an ideal target because allowed eSmartSoft to transition the client’s developers
in weeks rather than months or years, while offering identical possibilities of native
Java/J2EE and automated conversion tools.
Results :
The entire modernization project and staff transition was extremely fast and cost effective when
compared to rewriting from scratch or acquiring and customizing ready-made applications. The
same applications are now web-based, SOA enabled and maintained with a modern productive
Eclipse/Java based development environment by the original legacy developers who have
successfully transitioned and are very comfortable in the new environment.
“Conversion to EGL is the Key to success for Customers like ours who want to preserve previous IT
investments”
Mahmoud Kassem, CEO eSmartSoft
12
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Foyer Assurances
The importance of Enterprise Modernization
 Software and business rules continuity
 Development since the beginning of 1980 in CSP then with Visual Generator
 To ensure the maintenance of existing consequent application inheritance
 More than 5000 programs (Batch, CICS, TUI and Web)
 To integrate in a progressive way technological innovations
 Future-proof strategy, through the use of new technologies and evolution of the tool (JSF - RIA,…)
 To support the versatility of the developers to specialization
 Team of developers limited in number, difficult to form specialists for the different emerging
technologies
 To promote functional competences
 Teams of developers faithful to the company with excellent knowledge of business logic
 Deployment to multiple platforms
 Current platforms: Z/OS, Linux
“After our feasibility study we arrived at the conclusion that RDz with EGL fits best to our goals for Enteprise Modernization”
Jean-Paul Schmidt
13
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Gateway Technical College
EGL as Part of an Advanced Technology Certification Program
 Challenge: Gateway has a WebSphere Advanced Technology Certification (ATC)
program. This Certification focuses on IBM 's Web tools and includes an Advanced Java
class. It was difficult to get the students to the point that they were productive using Java in
a fifteen week class. Students became frustrated with the challenges of writing a J2EE
application.
 Solution: Introduce EGL to students in other Web classes, showing them the ease of
developing a dynamic Web application with EGL. Gateway added EGL to the Advanced
Technology Certification.
 Benefits: EGL can be used in introductory classes to demonstrate modern Web
development with IBM Rational Toolset. Students are to create a robust Web application in
a short period of time. Students are excited about the technology and understand that you
don't have to master J2EE to develop a CRUD Web Application.
"Students and professionals are excited about EGL! Start developing J2EE applications without having to learn
J2EE. - James E. Buck, president - Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association
14
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
IBM STG - THOR (Total Hardware and Order Repository)
Move PC Client Applications to Browser-based Applications
Challenge:
Access DB2 on IBM i via SQL and WebSphere Application Server
Interface with existing server-side Java classes on IBM i
Limited Web experience, Java/JavaScript skills
Introductory knowledge of Rational Application Developer workbench
Java Server Faces alone posed team sharing and maintainability issues
Results:
Delivered application into production in 4 months via WebSphere, EGL, and Java
Server Faces interfacing with server-side Java classes and DB2 tables
Readable, easily debug-able EGL source that will be easy to maintain and enhance
across the development team
Common Framework functions established for quickly developing related EGL
applications
The marriage of procedural EGL, Java Server Faces, SQL, WebSphere, and callable
external functions has been highly-productive, strategic, and expandable with emerging
technologies such as AJAX and Web 2.0
“I was able to use EGL to create a robust Web application that surpassed my expectations for functionality, usability, and
quality. EGL is slick!”
Steve Mervosh, IBM Rochester
15
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Impire AG
Innovative, Leading-edge Application Delivery
Challenge: Provide 3D sports graphics and statistics in real time for broadcast during
professional sporting events
Solution: High-performance database platforms provide management, processing and
mining of data for instantaneous play analysis and statistical content – built using EGL
Results: Improved ability to provide information on demand; higher system availability and
reliability; rapid development of new capabilities and features to meet customer demands;
faster and more in-depth analysis with data mining; improved ability to quickly modify
content; improved employee productivity; better collaboration with employees and
customers
“As a high availability data server that delivers real-time data streaming, IBM IDS enables us to replicate data instantaneously
across multiple servers and meets our requirements for live broadcasting of sports replays and analyses.”
Knuth Hartlieb, Head of IT Development, Cairos technologies AG & IMPIRE AG
16
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
International Customer Financing System
Strategic & Mission critical application for IBM Global Financing.
 Challenges:
 Finance is an area that is very dynamic, with day to day changes to business rules and offerings and requires rapid
application development tooling.
 Hard to find rapid development tooling for developing traditional Text User Interface applications that support middleware
like MQ to run in the IMS environment..
 Solution:
 EGL/RBD provides quick turn-around to build & deploy applications to support the changing business needs, achieving
about 40% productivity gains compared to traditional z/OS development languages and tools (COBOL, PL/I)
 More than 100 developers learned EGL in less than a month, internalizing it and beginning to transition to developing SOA &
Web based applications
 Successfully migrated 2,400 CSP programs to EGL in parallel to the release development process including complex
functional changes.
"EGL made it possible for us to be as responsive to the business as the Java programmers when it comes to rapid
modern application development."
Ramesh K Kottapalli, IBM Global Services
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
IsComp
Bringing 4GL Applications and Developers into J2EE/SOA
Challenge: To broaden the range of solutions it can provide to clients, IsComp
Systems needed a way to leverage its in-house IBM Informix development expertise
to build flexible Java and SOA solutions for multiple deployment environments.
Solution: IsComp Systems began a modernization project for one of its largest
clients to convert and update legacy business systems using IBM Rational Business
Developer software and Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) technology.
Key Benefits: Developers at IsComp Systems are more productive because they
can focus on developing business logic in EGL, and generate Java applications that
run on an array of hardware platforms, operating systems, and databases. Rational
solutions have enabled IsComp Systems to increase its service offerings, minimize
costs, and expand its base of potential customers.
“We estimate that our clients will save more than 15,000 hours of effort each year using the system we are developing. With
EGL we are minimizing the costs and the time needed to get them to their desired goal.”
Charles Brown, CEO
18
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
KBC
Unify application dev across platforms and transaction managers
Challenge: High costs and low responsiveness to business: redundancy and duplication
across IT groups, fragmentation of languages and tools
Solution: Leverage EGL to achieve the Cross-System components development and to
eliminate skills silos among their dispersed development teams. Eliminate platform specific
languages.
Results: Created interchangeable developers. Shift from monolithic (3270) applications to
browser based and open systems. Transform 600 mainframe developers to multi platform
developers (Unix, mainframe, WAS, IMS).
Enable component based architecture. Shift to component based architecture, product
factories and multi channel.
“… We want to avoid the ‘skill silos,’ what we really need is a large group of general developers who should not worry about
target platforms and focus on developing business components, and only a small number of technology specialists, so that we
can swiftly allocate general developers to upcoming business needs… EGL is helping us achieve this goal…”
Lieven Gouwy, IT Architect, KBC, Redmonk Podcast
19
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Kuoni Destination Management
Rapid Development of Web Applications Utilizing Web Services
 Solution: Learned to develop Web applications using EGL in a 4 day on-site workshop.
Developed a Web application for basic data entry of group tours in less than 2 months.
Designed & implemented Web Services for communication with other applications in 6
weeks.
 Challenges: Need to rapidly develop Web applications that plan for group tours,
integrating zOS Applications with the newly developed Web application, but had no Java
skills nor Web skills.
"EGL helped us develop modern Web applications and at the same time extend/maintain our existing Text UI applications
using single & simple development environment".
Andreas Hack Technical leader Kuoni IT
20
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Madico
Consignment Inventory Processing
Challenges: Tight deadlines, lack of Web application development skills, realize a
consistent data collection technology for inventory from disparate data sources (IBM DB2 for i
/ MS SQL Server / batch-based flat files)
Solution: Unify IDE for both legacy and new Web development. Identify shortest Web
development learning curve (EGL) supporting latest Web technologies (Web 2.0). Partner with
IBM which delivers superior support.
Results: Initial CRUD application completed in minutes with Data Application Wizard.
Achieved a rich user experience. Abstraction of the low-level technical details enabled
developers to focus on business need.
“With the demands to keep our applications current with the ever changing business needs, our developers are not always
afforded the necessary time to update their skill sets. EGL enabled our developers to apply their business knowledge rapidly
with current architectural and Web-based standards.”
Daron Whitehouse, Sr. Programmer/Analyst
21
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Mason Associates, Inc.
Leveraging our business systems knowledge with EGL
Challenge:

Mason Associates, Inc. is a software consulting firm that was founded in 1982 on the principles of
creating rock solid business systems, primarily using native IBM languages and tools.
Throughout our 27 year history we continuously evaluate new products and development tools
that will enable us to more effectively deliver high quality business solutions.
Problem:

While the terminal environment has served us well and is still prevalent in many business
applications, our new and existing clients are more frequently requesting that applications be
created or rewritten with a graphical user interface. Many of the existing languages and tools
available for creating a user interface tend to get in the way of development with too much time
being spent on the interface instead of building the business logic which will drive the application.
Solution:


EGL removes the barriers to creating an effective, intuitive, database-driven user interface.
The ease of integration with midrange systems enables us to call existing service programs. This
reduces the need to rewrite programs and also separates the business logic from the user
interface to create a true model-view-controller application.
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Montreal Informatica
Migrate Natural/ADABAS to J2EE Solution
Challenge: To seize a marketplace opportunity to help its clients modernize their legacy
enterprise systems, move away from Natural/ADABAS technology and to provide a flexible
platform for core business applications moving forward.
Solution: Working with IBM, Montreal Informática conducted a proof of concept project using
IBM Rational Business Developer, IBM Rational Migration Extension for Natural and IBM
DB2 information management software together with Enterprise Generation Language
(EGL) technology to modernize a legacy Natural/ADABAS application.
Results: Montreal Informática has seen increased developer productivity. Developers from a
range of backgrounds learned EGL rapidly, enabling Montreal Informática to use the same
developers for building batch and online systems. The successful pilot project has opened
new business opportunities because the company now has the ability to automate much of
the transformation process, while offering clients a choice of deployment platforms.
“At the beginning of this project I was a bit skeptical. I have almost 30 years of IT experience. After the first discovery and
analysis delivery, I was surprised because it was really very good. I see that with the right skills, developers are very
productive. I am very enthusiastic about the results and about the future of enterprise modernization at Montreal Informática."
Mauricio Alvarenga, IT manager at Montreal Informática
23
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Morpheus
Transform a manual/paper process into a Web system
Challenge: The manual, paper based insurance quote process for major automobile
dealerships clients (BMW, Renault, Peugeot, etc.) was becoming a competitive handicap.
Solution: A Web based e-business application, providing direct access from dealerships to
Insurance systems, to rapidly gather accurate quotes.
Results: EGL’s short learning curve, high level of abstraction, and automatic code generation
enabled Morpheus, a System Integrator based in the UK, to leverage developers of different
backgrounds in delivering the system to the Client in record time (less than 100 days!).
The new system virtually eliminated costly errors, and delivered quotes in record time, with
great customer satisfaction.
“EGL allowed us to staff the application project with developers of different skills and deliver the system in just 100 days!!
We are looking forward to our next project…”
Bleddyn Wiliams, Director of eBusiness Solutions
24
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Morris Consulting
Tenfold increase in development speed with EGL
Challenge: Competing against much larger system integrators, Morris Consulting needed a
way to rapidly build and deliver complex supply chain applications that were platformindependent, scalable and easy to use.
Solution: The company used IBM Rational tools and EGL to build a vehicle tracking and
tracing system and developed it into a sophisticated, modular supply chain workbench for
assembling solutions and deploying them with IBM WebSphere Application Server software
and an IBM DB2 database.
Key Benefits: Since it adopted solutions from IBM, Morris Consulting develops more solutions
in-house, rather than contracting programmers, saving about US$160,000 annually. The
company is now able to customize and deploy solutions about 10 times faster, enabling
them to win more contracts and increase profits.
"Our business challenge is to compete against much larger global consulting groups while being cost-effective. What we
discovered is that IBM Rational solutions enable us to deliver complex solutions at a much lower cost. This provides us with
more opportunities because we can give our customer fixed-bid prices and still make a profit."Chuck Morris, President
25
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Nashville Electric Service
Customer Information via Web Service from CICS
Challenge: The current telecomm system and IVR system has reached end of life
and provides a very limited feature set as compared to state of the art solutions. Much
new functionality can be gained by upgrading to a new telecomm technology. Skill Set
of current developers does not include Web / Java experience.
Results: Transition to EGL 7.1 language and Web service was developed ahead of
project timelines. Development of Web service connection to CICS took place with
minimal instruction.
Information from CICS is now available to groups of vendor software and departments
via the Web Service component.
“ By creating a new path to our Customer Information System it has enabled NES to respond to the ever changing
customer needs of today and tomorrow “ - Keith Wheeler NES Information Systems
26
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Navistar International
Mission Critical System Upgrade to J2EE Using EGL
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose
subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military
trucks, MaxxForce™ brand diesel engines, IC brand school and commercial buses,
and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a privatelabel designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV
markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine parts and service.
Challenge
Solution
Results
Convert a large Web application written in IBM Net.Data language, in a short
amount of time, so that we can upgrade to a new release of DB2. This
application provides contact support information for our systems and
applications.
IBM Rational Application Developer V6.0 using the Enterprise Generation
Language (EGL) within the JavaServer Faces (JSF) framework to create a
server-centric J2EE Web Application.
One programmer was able to recreate the application within 6 months with
more functionality. EGL is straight forward, it allowed us the ability to convert
the old Web business logic with fewer statements, and provided a robust Web
interface for our customers. We can turn around product enhancements and
development in a shorter amount of time.
WebResp Conversion Project 2007
27
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
New York State Senate
Accelerated Web Development with EGL
Challenge: Provide application support for 62 State Senators, their staff and central support
office. Transform and re-write remaining legacy mainframe COBOL, DB2, CSP/3270
applications and retire the mainframe. Support 1,500 plus users with small applications
programming staff with many responsibilities.
Results: Learned Rational Business Developer via e-conference learning; prototyped Webbased rewrite of key applications. Developed custom Constituent Management, Helpline
and Production Tracking information systems. DB2 v9.1 and WebSphere v6.1 production
environment of IBM pSeries running AIX v5.3.
“RBD/EGL provides us with toolset to leverage Java/J2EE, Ajax to create slick, modern Web
and batch applications.”
“We needed a rich toolset that would hide the complexities of java and enable us to develop Web applications accessing backend DB2 databases, EGL is it !“
Bill Loss, Manager
28
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Nordisk Copyright Bureau
Deliver copyright registration system over the Web
Challenge: Registration of copyrighted material in databases was a manual, cumbersome
process. Slow, inefficient reporting of copyright information to producers’ inquiries
Solution: Allow customers to get info through a Web portal (reduce manual data entry and
costs)
Results: Total processing time for new registrations dropped significantly. EGL’s short
learning curve, high level of abstraction, and automatic code generation resulted in
substantial productivity gains, time savings, and on-schedule project completion.
“A team of three developers completed WebCover application development on schedule, in just three months. If we had used
another approach and not JSF/EGL it would have taken much longer than we would like. ”
Stephan Kristensen, project leader NCB
29
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Oxford International
IBM i – Enterprise Modernization
IBM i/Modernization and Solutions
•
•
•
•
•
•
Seamless integration of Web2.0 and SOA functionality with legacy applications.
• Result: low cost, low risk, manageable, incremental legacy replacement.
Platform simplification through consolidation, application independence and
deployment target flexibility.
Consolidation of skill silos to achieve cross platform development and improve
productivity.
Easy-to-learn transition path for valued RPG and Cobol developer experts, people
who know the business process.
Removal of middleware and platform complexities required of languages such as
Java.
Design recovery, refactoring and migration alternatives to complement EGL for
software development and replacement
“There is no ‘magic bullet’ for resolving the complexities of today’s IT enterprise because they took years, if not decades
to evolve. But EGL is as close to a complete solution as we have seen. IT Management & Executives who recognize the
need for modern processes for a modern global workforce, and increased value and responsiveness from the IT
enterprise should seriously evaluate EGL.”
Steve Norton, President of Oxford International.
30
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Puget Sound Blood Center
Delivers Donor Information System over the web.
Challenges:



Replace legacy Donor Information Green Screen application with a web-based
application using IBM Rational Enterprise Generation Language (EGL).
Complex data validation requirements.
No prior web development experience – most staff uses RPG.
Results:




EGL made web development possible for RPG programmers.
Easily imported existing iSeries database files into EGL project.
Leverage existing business intelligence through remote calls to backend RPG programs.
There was no need for new technology, EGL allows the freedom to deploy to many
platforms including an existing iSeries platform.
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
PKS Software
IBM i – Enterprise Modernization

Challenge: PKS searched for a proper way to migrate RPG applications. Java was
evaluated, but was not the answer, because of the paradigm gap between procedural and
object orientated languages.

Solution: EGL was the perfect fit! RPG applications themselves as well as the
developers can do this step.

Results: PKS developed a converter (RMEi) for the migration from RPG to EGL to serve
the customers as much as possible. With this tool, millions of investments in RPG
developments can be transferred safely into the new world.
EGL, the strategic business language from IBM, fulfills all our needs from our customers who want to get into a modern,
but still performing, future. The migration approach of RMEi fits perfectly to the needs of our clients and we are very
happy to offer them these solutions and prevent them from getting lost in Java-migration projects or unsatisfying
movements towards standard software.
KarlHeinz Peter, Managing Director
32
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Synchrony Systems
Modernization of Legacy Applications
Challenge: Transitioning single-tier, green screen monolithic legacy applications from
Natural, VAGen and RPG to Web 2.0 and SOA architecture
Solution: Synchrony’s latest modernization technology enabling clients to rapidly leverage
the state-of-the-art EGL/Web platform
Result: Web-enabled application architecture with 100% EGL source code. User Interface
facelift to JSF or RUI. No middleware or proprietary runtime components
“EGL and RBD is the ultimate target platform for modernizing enterprise legacy applications to fully leverage SOA and Web
2.0. Our technology and service offerings make this transition a reality.”
Slavik Zorin, CEO
33
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Synobsys
Realize services in a SOA cycle
Challenge: Realize services in the assembly step of a SOA cycle, where realizing services is
an integrated part of the full SOA Cycle
Solution: Use EGL to create new services and reuse existing functionality, written in COBOL
or RPG, as an integrated development environment in a full SOA development cycle.
Results: By EGL’s easy way of handling Web services, Synobsys was able to help their
customers to easily step in the SOA world. On several occasions Synobsys was able to
integrate iSeries legacy systems as service provider and consumer into a SOA environment
within less then two weeks
“Adopting RBD in the selected toolset for doing SOA projects, Synobsys is able to jumpstart their
customers into a SOA architecture”
Pim van Westen Sales manager Synobsys
34
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Synobsys
Connect an insurance back office system to the Electronic Insurance Exchange
Challenge: Integrate the existing iSeries based insurance system with the new
community based e-IES system of the Netherlands Insurance Exchange Association.
Solution: Use EGL to bring new technology of consuming and providing Web
services into the insurance company. Combining new EGL functionality with existing
RPG functions.
Results: By EGL’s easy way of handling Web services, Synobsys was able to help
the large insurance company to open up their iSeries system and connect it to the
community system within ten days. Communicating with the community is now more
cost effective, standardized and more accurate.
35
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Trans World Entertainment Corporation
Develop a web-based, integrated database application
Challenge: Our application support data, stored in MS Access database, was unusable by
anyone outside of our home-office network and not integrated with our standard systems
(TurnOver and Island Pacific). No in-house Java or Web application development skills
prevented us from pursuing this important project.
Solution: Developed a robust and slick Web application using Rational Business
Developer/EGL and DB2, accessing data from multiple partitions, and calling external RPG
and CL procedures as needed to integrate the new web system with TurnOver and Island
Pacific.
Key Benefits: The new system is perfectly consistent with Trans World Entertainment’s MIS
Operations support model, and using the browser, MIS Managers can now maintain support
contact and on-call information, along with application specific troubleshooting and
escalation procedures.
“ I believe I’ve only cracked the surface on the richness of the EGL toolset. I know if there is some feature or functionality I
want to incorporate in my application I can do it with EGL. In fact, I’m looking forward to developing the next set of
enhancements to this application that people are now requesting.“ – Doug Fortman, System i Administrator
36
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
WIPRO Technologies
Migration of a Strategic Legacy Financial Application to a Modern n-tier
SOA Based System
Challenge: End of support for a legacy 4GL language on System i required a large financial
services client in North America to make a strategic move to standardize on tooling that
allowed the development of modern n-tier applications, and allowed this transition to be
smooth and pain free. The client wanted to achieve separation between the presentation logic
and the businesses logic in the mission-critical application, enhancing user experience by
migrating towards browser based GUIs, and leveraging SOA.
Solution: A Web based e-business application, giving end users and customers an enhanced
user experience, and new features for processing financial transactions
Results: EGL’s short learning curve, high level of abstraction, and automatic code generation
enabled WIPRO, a System Integrator based in India, to leverage developers of different
backgrounds in delivering a staged migration to a SOA based n-tier Web environment




Productivity benefit of 15 – 20 % over traditional J2EE approach
Rapid development leading to a quicker time to market
Separation of presentation layer, application layer and data layer in order to facilitate SOA strategy
Creation of granular services made easy
37
37
Software Group EGL
| Rational
software
IBM IBM
Rational
- Simplify
Innovation
Xavier Group
Rapid deployment of Sarbanes-Oxley reporting solution
Challenge: Xavier Group consultants working for a “well known internationally luxury high-
end casual/semi-formal wear, accessories, fragrance, and house wares” were tasked with
delivering approval and accountability application for Sarbanes-Oxley reporting. The system
had to be Web based to allow senior IT management worldwide access, but their skills were
RPG and Synon 2E.
Solution: Accessing DB2/400 data and leveraging legacy RPGLE/CLP business logic and
algorithms residing on the host iSeries from JSF using EGL enabled Xavier to deliver the
desired solution to the Client
Results: Timely delivery of a state-of-the-art Web based regulatory compliance reporting
system, leveraging the existing iSeries skills and assets
“EGL provided me the Web solution I needed and allowed me to continue to use traditional OS400 languages and utilities that
I’m proficient with…. Running on the best business machine on the planet! ”
Jake Berberich - Xavier Group
38