BCD in the Press
Read articles that have been written about BCD and our modernization, web application development and report distribution products.
Fresche Plan: Guidance Leads To Growth
December 4, 2017 - ITJungle
Without wings, an airplane has no chance to fly. A legacy-based IBM i shop is like an airplane without wings. During the past few years, more companies have recognized that IT modernization is necessary. It’s a complex problem with many moving parts and deserves a strategic approach for best results. At the same time, the transition has become an easier problem to solve.
A Fresche Start For Mike Pavlak
August 7, 2017 - ITJungle
If you’ve ever dealt with PHP on IBM i, it would be tough to avoid hearing about Mike Pavlak, who worked directly for Zend Technology, which is the PHP company. But after nine years with the firm, Pavlak is now teaming up with Fresche Solutions, where he aims to work directly with IBM i clients on a wide range of open source and modernization projects.
New version 8 of Remain Software's TD/OMS enables WebSmart controlled process of transforming legacy applications
June 24, 2017 - MC Press
The new TD/OMS release is dedicated to DevOps, IT managers and software developers looking for better control over software changes, improved collaboration and future-proof applications.
The new version of the Remain Software solution greatly improves end-to-end IBM i development and makes work of IT departments easier than ever before.
A Fresche Emphasis On Services
June 19, 2017
Developing a services business has become a strategic goal at Fresche, a company that stirred the IBM i community by acquiring several significant software companies that are knowledgeable and experienced in the IBM i modernization arena.
Fresche Makes Bold Move In IBM i Modernization Arena
June 13, 2016 - ITJungle
Another IBM midrange earthquake was reported last week as two of the big application modernization vendors joined forces to create a single source of a wide range of products and services.
Responsive Design, Node.js Top BCD App Dev Enhancements
May 18, 2016 - ITJungle
BCD Software is one of several application development vendors in the IBM midrange market that can help application developers shoot fast and ...
TechTip: Additional PHP Tools—BCD Software
May 6th, 2016 - MCPress Online
So far, we've talked only about Zend and its family of products. But is that all there is? The answer is "no," and this month we'll look at what BCD Software has to offer if you're dabbling in PHP.
BCD, Midrange Dynamics Partner On IBM i Modernization
May 9th, 2016 - ITJungle
When you think of modernizing applications to increase their efficiency and extend the original investment in the business logic that is so important to your organization, it should be apparent that the process requires some controls and management. It's a bit like having a map and compass when going into the wilderness. That's why we're seeing partnerships form between the application development vendors and the change management vendors. The most recent hook-up is a partnership between BCD Software and Midrange Dynamics.
WebSmart For Node.js Beta Project Under Way
February 29, 2016 - IT Jungle
When IBM i got support for Node.js eight months ago, it lit a fire. BCD Software threw a log on that fire last week by announcing its Web development environment WebSmart supports Node.js as well.
Web Portal Not An IBM i Modernization Bit Player
November 18th, 2015 - IT Jungle
The portal piece of modernization projects seldom gets top billing. All eyes are on the graphical user interface and efforts to scour the green screen out of sight from those who believe it is the work of the devil. But dagnabbit, it's the portal that unifies information and applications from a galaxy of diverse sources and displays it in an orderly fashion.
IBM i Mobile Apps Made Easy
November 18th, 2015 - IT Jungle
Accessibility to IBM i data is a basic requirement, but the added capability of using the built-in camera as a bar code scanner is the driving force behind Presto Mobile, according to Marcel Sarrasin, vice president of marketing at Quadrant Software, BCD's parent company.
BCD And Zend Aim For Expanded PHP Development
October 12th, 2015 - IT Jungle
The popularity of PHP in the IBM midrange community continues to grow. It's undeniably the most successful open source story in the community. Along with that is the partnership between Zend Technologies and BCD Software. It continues to grow as well.
Bootstrap Responsive To IBM i Mobile Development
September 28th, 2015 - IT Jungle
It doesn't matter if you are an application developer, an app dev manager, or the worried owner of a company with concerns about the current state of the business applications... Web applications that look better and work better on both desktop and mobile devices than anything we've developed before.
BCD Adds Digital Signatures to Modernization Tool
September 16th, 2015 - IT Jungle
Mobile signature capture is one of the new features BCD Software has added to its green-screen to GUI application modernization tool called Presto. If mobile apps are part of your IT plans, signature capture probably fits in as well.
Advice From The Mavens Of Modernization
June 29th, 2015 - IT Jungle
You don't have to stretch your IBM midrange imagination too far to understand that today's app dev decisions will have a great impact on tomorrow's IT success.
BCD Tweaks Web Dev Tools
May 6th, 2015 - IT Jungle
BCD Software used the recent COMMON conference as a launch pad for new releases of two key Web development tools: Presto 6.1 and WebSmart 10.8.
BCD Cranks Up Its PHP Engine
May 6th, 2015 - IT Jungle
With the recent launches of two new PHP bundles aimed at IBM i shops, as well as support for Zend's Z-Ray functionality, the company is taking its affinity for PHP to a whole new level.
Zend and BCD Get A Little Closer For PHP
April 1, 2015 - IT Jungle
Under a new partnership agreement unveiled recently, Zend will be referring customers to BCD for custom PHP-on-IBM i development work. But that's not all the two vendors have up their respective sleeves.
BCD Bolsters RPG OA Support in Presto 6
February 4, 2015 - IT Jungle
The software vendor is moving strongly to cement its capabilities in the RPG Open Access arena with some slick new features in Presto 6, which was just released.
BCD Advances PHP-on-i Development in WebSmart
December 9th, 2014 - IT Jungle
With the last week's unveiling of WebSmart version 10.6, the Chicago-based company is allowing PHP coders to do more advanced development using object-oriented techniques thanks to the addition of Zend Framework 2 (ZF2) and PHP data object (PDO) templates.
Quadrant and BCD Re-Align Partner Programs
June 17th, 2014 - IT Jungle
Quadrant Software and it's new subsidiary BCD Software last month rolled out a new business partner program that's aimed at re-aligning the two companies' formerly separate reseller programs into a single program.
BCD Spruces Up Web and Doc Management Tools
June 3rd, 2014 - IT Jungle
WebSmart customers will find a few new features aimed at programmer productivity in the version 10.2 release, which BCD Software unveiled at the recent COMMON conference in Florida. The Chicago subsidiary of Quadrant Software also updated its Catapult and Nexus Portal tools.
BCD Rides Demand for Scrollable Grids to RPG OA
May 6th, 2014 - IT Jungle
BCD Software yesterday rolled out a new release of Presto--its IBM i application modernization tool--that now supports IBM's RPG Open Access technology.
PHP Developer Chooses WebSmart to Build His 'Scaffold'
April 22nd, 2014 - IT Jungle
Web developer Rob Binetti used BCD's WebSmart to build a stout and quick "scaffolding", as he calls it, for creating dashboards and sophisticated apps at Central Semiconductor.
BCD Lets the Mobile Flow with WebSmart 10.1
February 18th, 2014 - IT Jungle
With the latest release of its WebSmart development environment, BCD Software (now a part of Quadrant Software) added new capabilities designed to maximize the limited available real estate on mobile screens.
BCD Flushes More Green from Modernized IBM i Screens
February 4th, 2014 - IT Jungle
With the latest release of its Presto tool, Business Computer Design (BCD) is helping to flush as much of the green as possible from the modernized screen. This is not your garden variety Web modernization tool, and BCD has done a lot of work to help customers make the Web-inized screens look like the modern Web 2.0 screens that people expect today.
Seneca Sawmill Cuts Costs and Time With GUI and Web Technology
January 6th, 2014 - IBM Systems Magazine
Seneca is using advanced technology throughout its mills, not just in terms of how trees are sustainably processed and sawn into lumber, but also - using several tools from Business Computer Design (BCD) - in how information about its business is gathered and shared, from the front gate to the back office.
BCD Brings Mobile App Goodness to WebSmart PHP Edition
December 3rd, 2013 - IT Jungle
A big part of the WebSmart 10 launch is WebSmart Mobile PHP, a new component that combines server-side PHP code generation with new Mobile jQuery templates to speed the creation of Web-based mobile apps.
BCD Bolsters Nexus Portal with Authentication and CMS Functions
November 19th, 2013 - IT Jungle
IBM i shops looking for a quick way to communicate with customers and partners over the Web might be interested in the latest release of Nexus... BCD adopted the OpenLDAP authentication software, and added support for a new visual document designer called TinyMCE.
Presto Change-O: BCD Unveils New Modernization Tricks
November 5th, 2013 - IT Jungle
It's an IT truism that the easier and more intuitive one makes a user interface, then the more likely users will be to actually use them.
BCD Hooks Up With Arcad To Manage Web Development On IBM i
October 7th, 2013 - IT Jungle
Last week, BCD and ARCAD Software announced a partnership that aims at closing some of [the change management and application lifecycle management] gaps for BCD's WebSmart users.
WebSmart Flattens the PHP Learning Curve
May 21st, 2013 - IT Jungle
The WebSmart PHP package from BCD [provides] a way to learn PHP in an environment that is both structured and productive.
BCD Refines Its Palette with Presto 4.7
May 7th, 2013 - IT Jungle
BCD has updated its Presto Web enablement tool to make it easier for customers to generate good-looking Web interfaces for their IBM i applications.
BCD Tackles Mobile App Development with WebSmart Mobile
April 9th, 2013 - IT Jungle
Business Computer Design Int'l. yesterday unveiled a beta version of WebSmart Mobile, a new component of its WebSmart development environment.
BCD Upgrades Green-Screen Modernization Tool
March 7th, 2013 - iPro Developer
BCD is offering a new version of Presto, a rapid green screen web enablement and modernization tool.
BCD Waves its Modernization Wand with Presto 4.5
March 5th, 2013 - IT Jungle
Creating custom Web interfaces from existing 5250 screens should be a little bit easier when using the latest release of [BCD's] Presto.
Avoiding Mistakes With PHP On IBM i Platforms
November 12th, 2012 - IT Jungle
Learning about mistakes is a good way to avoid mistakes. It's as true with PHP as it is with skydiving.
BCD Recognized for Partnership Spanning Three Decades
September 6th, 2012 - iPro Developer
iPro Developer asks BCD a few questions about their dedication to the IBM i market and how the industry has changed over the last three decades.
BCD And Zend Expand PHP Pact
August 15th, 2012 - Alex Woodie, IT Jungle
Business Computer Design Int'l. and Zend Technologies today unveiled a partnership to boost the visibility and usability of their respective PHP offerings for IBM i shops.
BCD, Zend Agree to Marketing Pact
August 15th, 2012 - Rita-Lyn Sanders, iPro Developer
BCD and Zend have at least two things in common: PHP and IBM i, and they're using that common ground to create a marketing partnership.
BCD and Zend Forge PHP Market Alliance
August 31st, 2012 - MC Press Online
Business Computer Design International and Zend Technologies have formed a market partnership that aims to promote use of each others' PHP-related development tools for modernization of IBM i applications.
BCD Tweaks IBM i Development Tool
August 8th, 2012 - Dan Burger, iPro Developer
The latest release of WebSmart ILE is version 9.2. Its list of enhancements is topped by a grid template that BCD literature describes as "a more modern way of displaying and editing data in a tabular layout."
PHP enthusiasts sign BCD distribution deal
June 11, 2012 - Seamus Quinn, iPro Developer
CSI and its associated firm Proximity Resourcing have signed an exclusive distribution deal for the UK and Ireland with application modernisation specialist BCD.
BCD Adds New Partners in the United Kingdom and Ireland
June 4, 2012 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
Business Computer Design, Intl., creator of popular IBM i application modernization tools, is expanding its business partner network in the United Kingdom and Ireland by teaming with IT services and solutions provider Proximity Resourcing and systems integrator CSI.
BCD Upgrades Modernization, Business Intelligence, and Web Dev Tools
May 15th, 2012 - Erin Bradford, iPro Developer
Business Computer Design, Int'l Inc, (BCD) offers a slew of updates to three of its products.
Modernization and Mobile Lead BCD Development Efforts
May 15th, 2012 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
Whether working from ground zero or building on existing investments, BCD's application development products have long been used by IBM midrange shops. And for companies unfamiliar with BCD, here's a surprise--the company has a newly enhanced business intelligence tool as well.
WebSmart PHP Ranked Second in MCPress Online's Power i Forecast
April 2nd, 2012 - Chris Smith, MC Press Online
The importance of tools to the IBM i community can't be underestimated, but they, like restaurants, come into and go out of favor depending on what clients need and what they are asking developers to do at the moment. One of the most popular tools for RPG programmers in the new millennium is WebSmart PHP from Business Computer Design International (BCD).
Dawn of the Dead: Portals' Revenge
January 23rd, 2012 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
Marcel Sarrasin, product manager at BCD, says, "Some iSeries shops that are new to the Web have a hard time picturing what a portal is since in the green screen world the login is built in and menus are very basic."
BCD Jazzes Up Presto Web Enablement Tool with Version 3.5
November 30th, 2011 - Alex Woodie, IT Jungle
Over the years, [Presto] has evolved from a quick-fix tactical Web-enablement tool to include more advanced rich UI and Web 2.0 capabilities, delivered largely through the use of modern coding techniques like JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), all of which is accessed through a Web-based Visual Editor.
BCD Helps K3S Modernize User Interface for Multiple Devices, Cloud
September 1st, 2011 - System iNews Staff, iPro Developer
K3 Solutions searched for the best way to modernize its inventory management software for eight years before choosing BCD's Presto solution. K3S wanted to give its software a new look that would satisfy existing green-screen users and new users. It also wanted the software to be accessible from multiple devices via the web and to offer a cloud solution for organizations that don't already own an IBM i box.
You Can Give Your Green-Screen Application New Functionality with Presto 3
May 13, 2011 - Chris Smith, MCPress Online
The challenge of modernizing green-screen applications is larger than merely overcoming the limitations to the 5250 data stream; it is a question of how you add functionality, features, and information that the original architect never considered and how do you do it without starting over and redeveloping the entire application.
Customized Green Screens Key to BCD's Web Enablement
May 10, 2011 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
When Business Computer Design (BCD) introduced its Presto software in October 2008, it realized a great many application modernization projects would sink or swim depending on the capabilities of its visual editor.
1,000's of Green Screens & Three Solution Providers Journey to the Web
April 18, 2011 - Robert Gast, System iNetwork
Three IBM i solution providers who faced the challenges posed by large green screen modernization projects share their stories as they get close to going to market with new web versions of their proven RPG packages. One of the things they all have in common is they used BCD's Presto to achieve their goals.
Document Management Cuts Paper and Saves Money at Top Ranked City
September 14, 2010 - Robert Gast, IT Jungle
Naperville, Illinois, a city with muscular environmental policies, is setting an example for other cities by further paring back the inefficient use of resources and lessening its impact on the environment while making better use of funds.
The West Haven Police Department: The 2010 COMMON / IBM Innovation Award Awarded to a Police Department for the first time
August, 2010 - COMMON Connect Digital Magazine
The COMMON / IBM Innovation Award recognizes members of the Power Systems community who have demonstrated innovation, leadership and ongoing commitment to the community. A judging committee made up of COMMON Board Members and IBM members rate nominees on a number of criteria.
IBM and COMMON Call the Cops
May 10, 2010 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
Sergeant Joseph Wynosky, one of two WHPD officers responsible for the department's IT operations, was most impressed with the new capabilities in the DCS mugshot system that allow officers to make positive identification much more easily.
BCD Invigorates Software for Application Development, Portal, and Query
May 18, 2010 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle.com
BCD has produced software for IBM's midrange computers--including the AS/400, iSeries, System i, and now the Power Systems--for more than 30 years. It's one of only seven vendors that has lined up to support iManifest, an independent (read: non-IBM) initiative to promote the IBM i platform. Each year when the COMMON conference rolls around, you can count on BCD to have some product announcements. Here's what the Chicago-based company has done to enhance its product lineup.
BCD Tools Instrumental in Winning the COMMON / IBM Power Systems Innovation Award
May 5, 2010 - Chris Smith, MCPress Online
DCS, a privately-held corporation based in South Carolina that markets software solutions for public safety, detention centers and prisons in the United States and the Caribbean, won an IBM Innovation Award in the small and midsized award category, and the company credits BCD Software for providing the tools that made the accomplishment possible.
Presto 2 Improves Screen Rendering and Design Flexibility
April 5, 2010 - Chris Smith, MCPress
I guess it's a guy thing, but we just love tools. It doesn't matter whether it's a cool new circular saw or a great computer development tool-it's a tool, we can get a lot accomplished with it, and that's what counts... Well, a cool tool just got better, and you'll love how much you can get accomplished with it.
Old Code Meets New Ideas in Latest App Modernization Projects
March 2010 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
The heat is on. For all the talk about IT integration and innovation, words that get casually tossed around as if saying them was doing something, there is progress being made in the area of application modernization. The time for talk is turning into the time for action in the IBM AS/400 community, which IBM has renamed the iSeries, the System i, and now just IBM i. The lower case i, IBM used to be fond of saying, is for integration and innovation.
iManifest Gets Boost from BCD. Software vendor chides IBM for allowing a marketing vacuum to develop around the IBM i platform.
November 16, 2009 - Chris Smith, MCPress
The iManifest movement received a high-energy drink in one gulp last week as Business Computer Design (BCD) and its outspoken director of sales and marketing gave the organization a cash donation and committed to promoting the young organization's logo on all future marketing materials.
iManifest U.S. Adds BCD to List of ISV Supporters
November 9, 2009 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
A good start is great, but it's follow through that buys the bacon. When Business Computer Design, better known simply as BCD, joined the iManifest U.S. membership last week, I asked Eric Figura, director of sales and marketing at BCD, how iManifest compares to programs IBM has attempted in the past.
Redesigned Reporting Infrastructure Pays Off in Inventory Reduction
September 22, 2009 - Robert Gast, IT Jungle
Ellis says his company has benefited in many ways. For one thing, information is presented to management in an easy to assimilate graphical format, and this allows them to save money though better control of raw materials inventory and other costs. It also helps to shorten the overall build cycle and allows Key City to better serve all of the furniture stores that sell their products nationwide. And from the perspective of an IT director, Ellis says they can do more with fewer resources.
COMMON interviews BCD's Eric Figura, Sales & Marketing Director
August 2009, COMMON Connect Magazine
COMMON recently caught up with Eric Figura, Director of Sales and Marketing at Business Computer Design Int'l, Inc., a long-time exhibitor, advertiser and sponsor of COMMON, to get their unique perspective on their involvement with COMMON and how it has benefited their company, and what they've done to maximize and retain customers in today's economy.
Companies Put PHP to Work With BCD's WebSmart
June 23, 2009 - Robert Gast, IT Jungle
In IBM i shops, the interest in PHP has been surprisingly vigorous. Two companies that recently went live with IBM i PHP applications are Midwest Fuel Injection (MWFI) and American Foods Groups (AFG), both of which chose WebSmart PHP from Business Computer Design.
Query/400 Alternative from BCD Enhances BI Capabilities
May 12, 2009 - Dan Burger, IT Jungle
Want to see your stock rise? Just design some real-time Web reports, queries, and executive dashboards. Delivering IBM i information to the people who want it - when they want it and in the format they want it--could be very profitable for your career.
Augmenting Browser-Based Development
October 1, 2006 - Don Rima, System i Network
You'll find that you'll be writing basic stuff within a day or two. As is with learning any new IDE and language (and there's a language involved here-see the Functionality section below), it will take a little time and effort but given all the helps, programming aids, etc., you should be good to go.
Migration: Are There Alternatives to RPG?
October 31, 2005 - Joe Pluta, MCPress Online
There are several vendors who Web-enable existing RPG applications, but there are few vendors who will convert RPG into code designed to run on the iSeries. BCD Software recently released a tool to convert existing applications to the PML language of its flagship WebSmart.
WebSmart 4.0 Is Cornerstone of BCD's Web Application Stack
February 17, 2004 - Alex Woodie, ITJungle
"With WebSmart they're not overwhelmed. You put a programmer in front of the IDE with a template or two and watch his eyes light up," he says. "You can do much more sophisticated coding, with much less effort."
BCD Gears Up for WebSmart 4.0, Ships New Catapult Release
November 4, 2003 - Alex Woodie, ITJungle
When WebSmart 4.0 ships later this year or early next year, Business Computer Design Int'l says, users will find the integrated development toolset easier to use than that in previous versions.
WebSphere Is Not the Only Game in Town, and That's Good
October 28, 2002 - Dan Burger, ITJungle
"I can tell you of an $800 million electrical company that burned through $100,000 and were totally dismayed because they did not get what they wanted with WebSphere," says Eric Figura, manager of sales and marketing at BCD. "They didn't even come close. The company came to BCD and said, 'We'll pay you for 40 hours of consulting to show us how far you can go with the application that we want.'" After 38 hours of coding, using BCD's WebSmart, Figura says, the BCD programmers completed the company application.
BCD Releases Betas for Email and WebSmart
November 5, 2001 - Joe Hertvik, ITJungle
BCD has also announced the beta test release of WebSmart Site Management System. Built by using BCD's ProGen WebSmart development tool, Site Management System is an administrative tool that runs under the WebSmart Application Server. Site Management System allows users to implement systemwide security; change the look of a site by modifying front-end pages.