As IBM continues to transition its focus to Java, Linux and WebSphere®, companies are revisiting their investments in RPG and COBOL on the iSeries (AS400). Clearly, IBM is fully committed to the iSeries and its support for Java and the WebSphere® application server. However, IBM's platforms of choice for the iSeries are Linux and Java™ - not RPG and COBOL. At the same time, companies with large investments in legacy code face increased maintenance costs, limited choices for Internet access and few integration options.

Re-engineering is a possible solution. However, this is expensive and not without risk. Bridging and generating new interfaces solves only one part of the problem, but does not address the cost of maintaining legacy RPG/COBOL code.

Solution
iSeries Evolution provides a solution that enables IT managers to directly address the RPG/COBOL issue through application transformation. iSeries Evolution provides a complete range of services for transforming and evolving systems built in RPG (II, III, IV) to Java™. The eCube iSeries Evolution offering utilizes some of the best transformation tools for the iSeries in combination with it own NXTware EV product to enable legacy business logic to be reused as J2EE components.

The iSeries Evolution process can transform 100% of any RPG or COBOL systems running on an iSeries or AS/400® to Java™ and J2EE™ business services. These services can run on any platform supporting a Java™ Virtual Machine (JVM): this might include an existing iSeries server running Linux or OS/400®, or completely new environments, such as Windows™ 9x, NT, 2000, XP, Solaris®, HP-UX®, AIX® MVS®, and OS/390®, to name a few.

Transformed applications deliver all the benefits of a contemporary solution: graphic interfaces, multi-platform Web applications, support for servlets, contemporary relational database and simplified integration enterprise solutions, such as SAP®, PeopleSoft® and Oracle Financials.

When combined with the functionality of the eCube NXTware, evolution server, the value of proven RPG/COBOL business logic can be extended as true service oriented technologies, such as J2EE, .NET and XML. Native support for service based architectures, the Internet, and e-business alignment make NXTware and iSeries Evolution a powerful combination.

During the iSeries Evolution process, new Java™ classes are generated that provide the original RPG application's services and functionalities Because the application operates the same way, the need for expensive user training is eliminated.

At the same time, eCube's Evolution Skills offerings simplify the maintenance of these systems and the evolution of your development team's technical skills. Evolution also minimizes the need for IT training. The new Java™ classes are documented so that they can be easily read and maintained by experienced RPG professionals or by less experienced Java™ programmers.