Features

Features

Non-invasive Solution

Presto provides instant 5250 screen enhancement technology. Developers can deploy 5250 applications on the web without changing any underlying RPG, COBOL or DDS source code or recompile anything to enhance the look and functionality of your applications. You don’t even need the display file source and your existing programs are not affected in any way.

Runs Straight Out of the Box

Presto runs straight out of the box. In less than an hour you can install Presto, start the preconfigured Apache web server instance, enter your IP address and you're up and running. Your 5250 screens will dynamically be presented as web pages with zero 5250 OLTP.

Global Options make it Possible to Instantly Enhance All Your Screens

Set global options in Presto to instantly enhance all your 5250 screens. You can select a skin (graphics and fonts using CSS and HTML) or create your own to reflect your organization’s look and feel. Another option is to choose to have function keys appear as links or buttons which can also be executed from your keyboard.

Customize and Enhance Any Screen with Presto’s IDE

Presto includes a Windows based IDE that gives you full control and access to the client side code to integrate new UI elements, AJAX, and SOA / web services functionality to go as far as you want to go. There is no need to compile anything, once your changes are saved, the screen will immediately be enhanced.

• Improve screen presentation and usability by adding any HTML, CSS or client-side scripting: pop-up calendars, item images, graphs, drop down boxes, Google maps, tabbed interfaces, JavaScript validation, hover overs and links for menus to allow mouse navigation, and more. These changes reduce the time it takes to train users who are not familiar with green screens.
• Rearrange page content such as fields and error messages by dragging the mouse over parts of the green-screen in the IDE split view window and dropping them into the HTML area.
• Add new functionality to your applications by adding server calls directly from the page to server-side code such as WebSmart to display multi-platform data, Clover Queries or other solutions. This functionality takes full advantage of AJAX technology, allowing almost infinite extensions to existing applications. For example, an AJAX call could be added to display a graph of all orders shown on the screen.
• Presto automatically identifies each screen and dynamically associates it with any custom screens you’ve created to further enhance the web enabled applications. You do not have to create rules to identify screens in most cases. Presto maintains a dynamic inventory of pages in your application so you can easily see which parts you have customized.

Enterprise-ready solution

Presto supports ‘environments’ and multi-languages which are important for any enterprise solution and especially important for ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) who want to web enable their existing 5250 solutions. Presto environments give you the ability to have independent versions of the same web enabled apps at the same time. Presto environments are a set of global settings for a group of programs / screens on your system providing you with test / production environments or environ- ments for each of your clients. ISVs can make the same application have a customized look for each client by having a separate environment for each client.

Application Framework included with full featured portal

Presto optionally includes BCD’s Free* Nexus Portal (* It’s license free with paid annual maintenance). Nexus is a full featured portal that can be used to front end your Presto web enabled applications and other applications. Presto web enabled apps embed directly into the portal which provides secured single point access to enterprise information and includes a web menuing system that gives your Presto applications a real web navigation system.

The portal also includes value added portlets such as a System i spool file viewer with PDF creation feature, Executive Dashboards, Calendars, Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Document Management. While Nexus offers more functionality, you may also host Presto apps within Outlook® or Google™ gadgets.

Other Key Features:

• Seamlessly Integrate With Existing Web Pages or Applications: Using HTML or AJAX you can add customized links or forms to integrate Presto web enabled apps directly with native web applications written with WebSmart or other web development tools.
• Retains System i specific security and emulator characteristicssuch as window lookups, function keys, right adjust, zero fill, the insert key, etc.
• No Additional Software or Middleware to purchase or install: All an end user needs to run Presto web enabled applications is a browser, NO PC client software is needed. Presto uses the free HTTP Server powered by Apache that’s included with every System i.
• Auto-login and Exit Points to Remove 5250 navigation constraints: Specify a starting program if you want to make the program directly accessible via a URL from another page or from the location bar of the browser and have it skip the initial standard 5250 sign-on page. This auto-login feature hides traditional 5250 System i navigation for a seamless flow with existing web applications.
• Multi-language support makes Presto a global solution.

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