Today, nearly every business operates in a heterogeneous computing environment comprising numerous hardware and software platforms. Connectivity between disparate systems is a default requirement, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It varies with every aspect of your business. That's why CCA offers a variety of Model 204 connectivity options -- to ensure that whatever your needs, and whatever your environment, Model 204 can continue satisfying your demanding application needs and be an integral member of your connected environment.

Client/Server and Web

For developing client/server and Web-based applications, The Connect^✭ Suite is the fastest, standards-based connectivity solution between any GUI or Web based application and your Model 204 data. It features a rich set of client APIs ranging from JDBC to .NET. With Model 204 V7R1, the Connect^✭ Suite now includes a full set of common namespace APIs for your .NET environment allowing you to extend your Model 204 data in the Microsoft Windows Development environment.

Business Intelligence

If the client application you're developing or connecting to is a business intelligence application, you should consider CCA Analytics. CCA Analytics is a powerful new business intelligence solution that helps users analyze their data resources and ultimately make better business decisions. With CCA Analytics, users can explore their data, slice and dice as needed, ask questions never before considered, and do it all on demand and without the need for IT assistance. The CCA Analytics' client runs on Windows platforms and is connected to the server using CCA's Connect* technology.

Enterprise Integration

If your connectivity needs involve sharing information from existing, separate applications, you may be considering a business integration software solution. IBM WebSphere MQ is the market-leader in this space and seamlessly connects all your business software together by providing an open, scalable, industrial-strength messaging backbone. It supports over 35 different operating platforms whose associated applications can easily exchange information via message queues. CCA provides an interface to WebSphere MQ called MQ/204, which allows Model 204 applications to share information with just about any other application on the network -- without impacting the existing applications.

If WebSphere MQ is not at the center of your enterprise integration strategy, you should consider CCA's External Call Facility (ECF), a new User Language feature in Model 204. With ECF, you can invoke external processes written in any host-based language that can in turn, invoke other programs and processes. This new feature ultimately enables you to integrate Model 204 with nearly any application on the network.

Furthermore, if you have installed a different message queuing system than IBM's WebSphere MQ, you can use ECF to easily develop your own interface to that platform.

So whether you're developing new client/server or Web applications, or simply trying to share information among existing apps, CCA provides targeted, efficient solutions that help you continue benefitting from the power of Model 204 without isolating your Model 204 applications from the rest of the enterprise.

To learn more about CCA's connectivity options, please visit the associated Web pages, contact your Account Representative, or submit an Information Request Form.

Rocket Software, (www.rocketsoftware.com) is a global software development firm that builds and services Enterprise Infrastructure products for the world's leading OEMs, networks and software companies and enterprises. The company's products complement and extend strategic infrastructure in the areas of: application modernization, business intelligence, compliance and security, consumer productivity, database servers, database tools, file transfer, mainframe productivity, network management, publishing and search, SOA and integration, storage management, terminal emulation, and text mining.