Frequently Asked Questions

Presto needs a minimum OS of V6R1 as of release 6.3 to operate and is IBM i 7.2 compliant. For a full list of requirements, please visit the system requirements page.

All end users need is a browser on their desktop or mobile device and the URL to your Presto applications to access the web enabled applications. No other PC software, ActiveX or Java Applets need to be installed. Browsers supported include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

Presto licensing is available two different ways: The first is called Base Pricing and includes a specific number of concurrent users determined by the BCD tier your system falls under. The second licensing option is Unlimited User Pricing, and includes as many users as you need for your system. Under the Base Pricing option, you may license more concurrent users beyond what is included in the Base Pricing option if you need to but don't want the unlimited user option.

Presto will web enable your entire system but you can gradually roll out customized pages by setting up a development environment and then a production environment, so you can modernize at your pace. You can also enhance different sections of your screens over time. If you don't want to give access to all your programs via Presto, you can set up Exit points to restrict what users can access.

There is very little, and usually not noticeable, performance difference between running your programs on a 5250 screen compared to Presto. Pages will render a bit more slowly when viewed in the Presto Designer during development.

No, Presto runs on a separate port by default to avoid conflicts. In most cases, you can merge the Presto IBM HTTP Server (powered by Apache) instance with an existing one for other products that use Apache such as WebSmart and Nexus.

Yes.

Presto works with the IBM HTTP Server (powered by Apache) which is shipped with the IBM i. You don't have to buy any licenses for additional products from IBM to run Presto.

That is your choice. It is definitely possible if you open up access with your firewall to the IBM HTTP Server Presto uses on your IBM i to access your system.

Yes, you can link to Presto from your existing web applications and you can also achieve SSO with your other web apps as long as you can pass the Presto login API the user information or a session ID using the Auto Login feature. Using Presto with Nexus Portal you can easily bypass the sign in screen in your Presto app and embed them into the Nexus portal.

You would do the work on your system and send each customer the full library and IFS folder. You can choose a different skin for each customer but don't need to change anything else (assuming all the programs are the same). You can also have a separate Presto environment for each customer if they will all have a unique or customized solution. Your customers would also need to purchase Presto and install it.

Yes. If your system is set to a CCSID other than 37 all you need to do is set the CCSID on the server environment configuration and in the Apache instance. You can also make enhancements to your screens using Ajax to translate the text on the screen.

Presto does not require Nexus, WebSmart or Clover to run. It is a standalone product. We would certainly encourage you to use Presto with Nexus to enhance your complete application modernization initiative with a web menuing and user management system. The license fee for Nexus Portal has been waived by BCD with paid annual maintenance, however you can use Presto without Nexus. We do include SmartCharts with Presto at no charge. SmartCharts are used to create graphs over data on your screen.