Catapult 7 Beta Now Available!
The Catapult 7 Beta is now available! Catapult 7 paves the way for many more years of productivity with significantly greater distribution speeds coupled with increased reliability. Wholesale improvements to the Console, Grab Rule Editor and Poller make this release of Catapult faster, more stable, and easier to use.
In addition to many smaller features and enhancements (which we'll be publishing to our website soon), the most important changes you'll see in Catapult 7 are described below:
Significant Stability and Performance Improvements
Catapult 7 runs faster and is more stable than any previous version of the software. 
Catapult 6 & 7 Performance Comparison (click to view).
Completely Redesigned Grab Rule Editor
The Catapult 7 Grab Rule Editor has been completely redesigned to make grab rule maintenance a simpler, more intuitive process. The key steps are better organized, the relationships between related elements are clearer, and it's easier to navigate the many options the software now supports. We have also made many other changes to improve its overall usability, such as clarifying many of the field descriptions, adding right-click options, and making it easier to incorporate replacement values throughout your rules.
Improved User Interface Across the Board
Every interface has been reworked and cleaned up. Working with Catapult 7 isn't just easier on the eyes - it's easier, period.
Poller Improvements
After you create your grab rules, the Catapult Poller takes over. As with the interactive components, the Catapult 7 Poller has been rebuilt from scratch. The Poller runs faster and more efficiently, and now includes additional scheduling options to give you more control over when it runs. You can run multiple poller instances in completely separate environments, cache and temporary file handling has been greatly improved, and we've also enhanced how printing and faxing is handled.
As a software company, Catapult 7 has been one of our most satisfying projects of recent times. The opportunity to go back and, taking advantage of everything that has been learned, redo an application from scratch is not often available. When we mapped out this release we struggled with the decision of whether this was the right time to tackle this, but from very early on in the project the unanticipated advantages borne from renewing the code base have confirmed that we made the right decision. Our development and support teams are both excited about the upcoming release, and we're pleased to now make it available to you.
If you use Catapult frequently and are interested in getting the new version as soon as possible so you can try out the new features, evaluate the performance advantages in your environment and provide valuable feedback for the production release, please fill out the Catapult 7 Beta Request form. You can install Catapult 7 in its own environment without affecting your existing version, and selectively activate specific rules for testing.
BCD @ Spring COMMON in Nashville
This year's Spring COMMON Conference and Expo will be held in Nashville, TN from March 30 to April 3, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. BCD will again be there, ready to answer your questions and tell you all about where we're heading with our various product lines. We'll be showcasing new releases of WebSmart ILE and PHP and Catapult, as well as announcing a completely new product we've been working on in our underground labs deep in the Lake Cowichan region!
At the Expo you'll find us at booth 404, or sign up for either of Duncan Kenzie's events where you'll get the opportunity to pick the brains of our CTO.
Duncan Kenzie, President and CTO of ExcelSystems Software Development, Inc. will be leading a Lab entitled Rapid iSeries Web Application Development with WebSmart on Tuesday, April 1st from 8:00 to 10:45 AM, in room Bayou C. In his lab you will get a hands-on introduction to building ILE RPG CGI programs using WebSmart, a charter member of the IBM iSeries Developer Roadmap. Duncan will also introduce you to the advantages of web deployment using the Apache web server which ships as a standard component of OS/400. This lab has twice won the 'Best Traditional Lab' award at COMMON and fills up quickly, so sign up soon.
On Tuesday afternoon (3:30 - 4:45) Duncan will also be delivering a session on WebSmart - Simplifying iSeries Web App Development in Delta Ballroom B. In this session he will introduce the WebSmart development tool and demonstrate how browser-based applications can be developed using the WebSmart templates and design wizard. Duncan will focus on using the WebSmart Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and also review the report design facilities of Clover, which is incorporated into WebSmart. He will also discuss the benefits of deploying CGI applications using the Apache Web Server and highlight advantages of a true browser-based model using CGI vs. alternatives that capture and convert the 5250 data stream.
We also hope to find time for a WebSmart PHP session, but it hasn't yet been confirmed. Check the COMMON website for details as we get closer to the date, or call Technical Support for information.
BCD at the RPG & DB2 Summit
BCD will also be an exhibitor at the RPG & DB2 Summit in Orlando March 11-13. Visit their website for further information on the agenda and speakers, as well as hotel and registration details.
If you have any questions about these events, please drop us a note.
ProGen Plus Tech Tip: Controlling Flat Panel Sequencing
In Technical Support we often get ProGen Plus related to controlling flat panel sequence. One approach to resolving this problem is to make every flat panel a standalone program. This gives you maximum control over the sequence of the panels. However, this solution can also mean lots of programs, program calls, and parm passing, as well as making sure that records aren't locked or updated at inconvenient times.
ProGen Plus Tech Tip: Controlling Flat Panels with Program Fields and Actions.
To address these questions, we have written a ProGen Plus tech tip (PDF) entitled "Controlling Flat Panels with Program Fields and Actions". This tech tip expands on one of the advanced Actions Editor labs we use in ProGen Plus training classes. In the exercise you will walk through building a Style A program with 4 flat panels. Then you will step through various techniques you can use to skip flat panels or jump directly to one of your flat panels with a subfile option.
The Tech Tip also shows you a way to update a record outside the standard processing loop, and highlights some useful program fields and Actions Editor contexts. A final section describes how you can customize your Cancel function keys with actions to ensure that Cancel always returns the user to the right spot, with the record in the right state.
If you have any questions or comments on this tech tip, or suggestions on future topics you'd like to see us do write-ups on, please drop a note to Technical Support.
EZ-Pickin's V9 Pro is Now Available
EZ-Pickin's is BCD's award-winning report mining and data extraction tool. EZ-Pickin's lets you transform System i reports into 'Live' Interactive views. You can Query, sort and summarize report data and export to Excel, graphs and other formats. With EZ-Pickin's, you can give Financial, Sales and Management pros the power tools that improve workflow, analysis, decision making and printing costs. EZ-Pickin's also integrates with Catapult and Spool-Explorer to further modernize business applications and processes.
EZ-Pickin's V9 Pro is now available, with many powerful new features, including:
- Database Importing: The EZ-Pickin’s Pro V9 OLE DB engine imports data up to 20% faster than before. Plus, it now supports the SQL Server 2005 Native Client, for maximized performance with SQL Server 2005 databases.
EZ-Pickin's V4+ Feature Comparison Chart.
- Link to External Models: This new feature helps guarantee that the use of EZ-Pickin’s models, calculations, filters, etc. are consistent across all EZ-Pickin’s users in your organization! Using EZ-Pickin’s Pro V9, you can now import or link any model object—such as individual templates, data fields, filters, Calculated Fields, sorts, summaries, User-Defined Functions and more - from models residing on your network or SharePoint repository.
- Enhanced PDF mining: EZ-Pickin’s has been optimized for more PDF generators, plus, EZ-Pickin’s can now mine AES-encrypted PDFs (EZ-Pickin’s will automatically prompt you for the password).
- Import OpenXML Spreadsheets
- SharePoint Collaboration: Import Excel files or file-based databases from SharePoint repositories as a data source. Also, share your User-Defined functions with other EZ-Pickin’s users—via the network or SharePoint—to ensure consistency across the organization.
- More powerful Database Filtering: Define highly precise data filter expressions to target only the data you need, with 22 EZ-Pickin’s functions now available for your use! If you frequently use the External Lookups or database import capabilities of EZ-Pickin’s Pro, this feature is for you.
- Other Features:
- Import Multiple Delimited Text Files
- Import Excel Files with No Header Row
- Ability to force Data Types to Character
- Replace Nulls on Import of Database Files
A complete list of new features in the V9 Pro and Standard Editions is posted at our website.
Upgrade Costs
Regardless of how old your current version is, if you own a copy of EZ-Pickin's you can upgrade to either version 9 Standard Edition or Professional Edition for the following costs:
- Single User Standard Edition: $240 each
- Concurrent Users Standard Edition: $395 each
- Single User Pro Edition: $425 each
- Concurrent Users Pro Edition: $525 each
Prices are in US dollars. Prices for overseas customers may be slightly higher.
For information about purchasing EZ-Pickin's or upgrading your licenses please call (at 630 986-0800) or email us. To learn more about EZ-Pickin's and how you can use EZ-Pickin's with BCD's Catapult and Spool-Explorer to automatically extract data from iSeries reports, please visit our website or download the EZ-Pickin's Product Sheet (PDF).
WebSmart 6.7 in GA
WebSmart 6.7 is now in GA, and available for download.
WebSmart 6.7 includes a number of very useful new features, including:
- SmartSnippets
- Individual Repositories for each System i you work with
- A new edit work field short cut
- A Copy Template Family option from the New Programs window
For further information about this release, you can review the articles in the December and January Tech Updates. The WebSmart New Features page also includes additional details.
The WebSmart 6.8 preview will also be available shortly; log in to myBCDsoftware.com for details, and to request it when it becomes available.
If you have any questions about upgrading to WebSmart 6.7, please contact Technical Support.
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Upcoming WebSmart PHP and ILE Training Classes
With every new year come fresh ideas, fresh initiatives and yes, also fresh budgets! Make plans now to improve your skills at any of the spring WebSmart ILE and PHP training courses!
WebSmart PHP Fundamentals: One time only at half the normal rate!
The first 4-day WebSmart PHP class will be held in Victoria, BC March 10-13, at a one-time, introductory rate of $1250.00. That's half our normal rate for a 4-day class! This opportunity will not be repeated, so register early to confirm your spot.
WebSmart ILE Fundamentals: Dallas April 14-17
There are two WebSmart ILE Fundamentals classes coming up, in Ohio April 7-10 and near Dallas-Fort Worth April 14-17. Unfortunately, only the second class, near Dallas, has seats available. This is a great location so register soon if you think the timing will work for you.
WebSmart ILE Fundamentals: May & June
We are also working out the details for two more classes in May and June. The May class will take place in the Chicago area, and the June session will be hosted by a customer in North Carolina. If you are interested in either of those sessions please fill out our Training Request Form so we can keep you in mind as we make the final arrangements for these.
Please visit our website for further information on the Course Content, or if you have any questions about any of these classes drop us a note or give us a call at (250) 655-1766.
Add Validations and Lookups to your WebSmart Programs
We have recently added two more WebSmart example programs to our burgeoning list. The new examples are:
- Example 148 - Create a lookup window using HTML <div> tags. This technique is quick to load, simple to implement, and very useful.
- Example 147 - Illustrates a couple of different techniques you can use to validate fields and issue error messages to your users. These validations issue a message next to the field as well as displaying the error at the top of the page.
If you have any questions about any of these programs, please drop a note to Technical Support.
Remember that we're always on the lookout for ideas for new examples, so if there's something you need to add to your website that you're finding a little challenging and which you think others might also want to use, drop us a note and we'll take a crack at building it for you!
Single Person RPG Shop Produces Sharp Self-Service Portal
An interesting thing about IBM System i technology is that it's highly self-sustaining. As an example, United Credit Service, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, provides debt collection services for more than a thousand customers. The server it uses to manage its business is an IBM System i model 270, run by a single IT professional, Bruce Guetzkow, who is responsible for everything from strategic long-term systems planning to backups.
For several years Guetzkow discussed with other UCS managers different ways of improving customer service. The collections business, while an indispensable asset to organizations with lots of past due invoices, is also very competitive, so it's imperative to retain existing clients. To do this, UCS continually demonstrates its commitment to doing everything possible to improve each of the various stages of the collection process that culminates in collecting the maximum amount of overdue debts.
As part of the ongoing effort to optimize deliverables, Guetzkow wanted to refine the way UCS reported its collection activity progress to the agency's clients. UCS printed reports generated largely by in-house developed RPG applications and to a lesser extent, from queries. These reports were converted to PDFs and burned onto CDs for each client. Then, the CDs were mailed or hand-delivered. "This process was labor intensive and costly both in terms of hourly costs and monthly delivery fees," says Guetzkow.
Read the rest of the article at IT Jungle to learn how Bruce Guetzkow used Catapult to create and securely publish thousands of reports to his clients via Nexus.
Oscar Gomez has worked with the BCD Technical Support team for two and half years, and now also conducts many of our local and on-site WebSmart ILE training classes. In addition, Oscar is the PHP expert in the support department, and will be leading the upcoming WebSmart PHP class in Victoria.
Oscar spent his childhood and early teen years in Cabo San Lucas (hey, someone has to live there!) on the southern tip of Baja California, moving to Victoria just after junior high. After graduating from high school here he then completed the Computer Systems Technology course at Camosun College. Before joining BCD, Oscar worked for one of the ministries in the BC government, and he also had an interesting job developing educational software with the Discovery Channel School.
Oscar initially joined BCD to work in the Technical Support group, but his mastery of the software and outgoing personality made him a natural candidate for his current involvement in software training, leading many of our WebSmart ILE courses. Most recently, one of his most challenging projects has been to create the training material for the WebSmart PHP course he'll be leading in March.
The aspect of his job that Oscar most enjoys is working with our customers, particularly when he gets to travel to your site to spend a few days leading a training class and working with you on your own WebSmart applications.
Outside work Oscar is, perhaps predictably given his origins, a soccer nut. A soccer lion among the sheep here in Canada, he's captain of his Vancouver Island Soccer League div 4 team, the Victoria Athletics. A couple of years ago Oscar took his soccer passion to the FIFA World Cup in Germany, where he caught the game between Serbia-Montenegro and the Ivory Coast (5 goals!). And when the snow around here gets too deep for soccer (which isn't very often), Oscar takes off to do some snowboarding at Whistler. So there are a few upsides to moving here from Cabo!
Current
BCD Software Release Levels
These are the current release levels for all our products:
If you have any questions about how to get to the latest versions, please contact
Technical Support.
Summary
List of Recent Updates
Nexus 3.35 - NX33503
This new Nexus update is ONLY for V5R3 or earlier. The update resolves an issue where Apache error logs were being inflated with debugging details.
You can download the latest version of Nexus from our website, or go to the Nexus Updates page to read more about this update and previous ones.
WebSmart 6.64 - Revision 2134
There is a new PC-side update for WebSmart 6.64. This version includes all previous updates, and requires that you have version 6.64 installed on the server, with all server-side updates. Revision 2134 includes the following items:
- The table layout retrieval for MSSQL will now correctly determine the keys.
- Resolves issues that prevented larger IF conditions.
- Visual HTML editor will now leave embedded PML within the bounds of the PML tags.
- No longer delete the backup file when saving definition.
- Support for smalldatetime type for MSSQL.
- Resolved crtlike() case sensitivity issues.
- Correctly update the target platform when switching from fixed to free format.
- Resolves issues with the functions getvle() and getnxtvle() not returning the validation list entry.
- Added function httpsetauth() which can set the authorization level for POSTURL when authorization is required.
You can download the latest PC and server versions of WebSmart from our website, or go to the WebSmart Updates page to download just the client side, and read more about this update and previous ones.
Organizations
that Recently Purchased BCD Software
Arvin Sango • Asian Life Financial Assurance • Bristol Hospital • Certainteed North America • Clallam County - Central • Clay County • Congoleum Corp. • Coresource, Inc. • Data House • GE Energy PS Espana • Guild Mortgage • Hans Johnsen Company • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino • Hayleys Ltd • Human Service Agency • Inox Mare srl • Isoclima • J. Polep Distribution Services • Kent Europe • King Koil Mid Atlantic • LGI, Inc. • Malcolm Niles • MBPI • Napa Balkamp, Inc. • Peppler & Associates • Plumbers Local Union 3 • Professional Management, Inc. • Rimadesio • Rosedale Products, Inc. • Skills • South East Express • Textile Care Services • Tidi Products • The Opportunity Partners • Tredit Tire & Wheel • TRI Corporation • UAIG • Unicolor • United Dairymen of Arizona • Village of Arlington heights • Vishay Vitramon • Walton County Courts • Zimag Logistics
Organizations
that Recently Contracted BCD Professional Services
Swift Transport • Hans Johnsen Bikes • Compass Technologies • Cosyn Software New Zealand
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Automated Report Distribution with Catapult
