New 'green screen' to web integration software

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Sep 23, 2003

New Software Gives E-gif Electronic Service Delivery Projects A Kick-start

A new software suite which helps to ease the pressure of Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) targets by smoothing the transition to 'e-enabled' systems has been announced this week.

The software, Flynet Screen Tools, rapidly transforms mainframe, mid-range and UNIX 'green screens' into web pages for display in a browser - the core element of online service provision.

A cornerstone policy of the Electronic Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) is the adoption of Internet and World Wide Web standards for government systems.

e-GIF has specific targets and requirements relating to online delivery of services (broadening access to systems and enabling self-service) and the replacement of 'traditional' terminal screens with web browsers.

Flynet Screen Tools software is designed to make this 'e-enablement' process as fast and easy as possible for all host system users - from straightforward, direct translation of host screens into HTML ('pass-through') to comprehensive application 're-juvenation' with intuitive new user interfaces.

Flynet Limited, the system developer, is based in Cambridge and has specialized in the integration of existing mainframe and mid-range 'legacy' systems with new web-based interfaces and applications since 1995.

"Many organisations using centralised systems with years of investment in applications are now finding their user interfaces are way below both current operational standards and operator expectations," says Flynet Sales Director Andrew Bentinck.

"Flynet Screen Tools enable rapid creation of attractive, intuitive new browser-based user interfaces, opening up access to a wider audience - exactly what ESD targets are all about.

The system's use of XML definition files is consistent with the Government's strategy of adopting XML as a core standard for integration and presentation of data." The Screen Tools technology is already well proven; the software has evolved from eight years of development and real-life integration experience, and the core elements are currently running reliably in demanding installations at Tesco's stores throughout the UK.

Other Screen Tools applications include rejuvenating host screens for presentation on new platforms or devices - for example,.NET, Web Services, Pocket PCs, other hand-held devices, touch screens, or simply HTML for enhanced browser access.

Screen Tools can also be used to improve the overall performance of existing host-based billing, production and CRM applications.

Especially useful for Utilities suppliers, these strategic changes to workflow automation and process streamlining are delivered without any risk of affecting the underlying application.

Bringing together only relevant fields from a number of complex screens - or even separate systems - into a single intuitive new interface can dramatically improve user productivity and data integrity.