September 1997
TSI Y2K Related Tools, Especially the New N2O "Superfinder"
Moving Up
Roy Parkinson has been promoted to Director of Technology at Treehouse Software. In this position, Roy heads the TSI research and development, support, and operations efforts. With 17 years background with Software AG products (over 12 years at SAGNA), Roy brings a wealth of experience to TSI in this role.
TSI Attends ORACLE Conference
TSI attended the ORACLE International Conference in San Francisco in November of 1996. Attendance was 19,000! TSI had a display in the exhibition area along with about 400 other companies. TSI also attended and presented DELPHI (our ORACLE MVS performance monitor) at the ORACLE MVS SIG in Dallas in April.
TSI at CAUCUS, SAG Symposium and User Group Meetings
TSI attended the 12th Annual Conference of the Higher Education Users of Software AG (CAUCUS), held April 20-23 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Florida. Presentations were given on TSI Year 2000 Tools.
Seven representatives from TSI attended the 1997 Software AG International Symposium and Exposition, which was held June 1-6 in Philadelphia. Response to our booth was phenomenal. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.
TSI attended the Software AG Hill Country User Group Meeting in July . We gave a two-hour presentation on ADAREORG, ADASTRIP, tRelational, and DPS. TSI also attended the Software AG Eastern Region User Group Meeting in Washington, D.C.
New Faces at TSI
Since the last issue of TREETIPS, some new faces have sprouted at the Treehouse. Marni Harbutz , and more recently, Katya Davis and Chris Rudolph have joined the support and operations staff. Lori Falbo is our Manager of External Relations, with a focus on enhanced affiliate relations, and developing and enhancing partnerships. Lynn McIntyre, Dan Vimont and Paul Linn have joined our Development team. Joseph Brady now handles our documentation, web site and marketing materials. Heather Tuttle is assisting with the documentation. Amber Ray and Steven Koster have joined our sales team. Carolyn Henning is our receptionist, mailing coordinator and general assistant.
TSI Product Updates
TSI has released DPS Version 2.0 with new enhancements. For further details, call TSI or visit our web site at http://www.treehouse.com.
tRelational Version 2.0 has been released with many new enhancements. For further details, view the tRelational release notes on our web site.
RACE Version 1.3.0 has been released. RACE supports NATURAL 2.2 applications using ADABAS Versions 5 or 6. RACE supports MVS-CICS, MVS-COM-PLETE, MVS-IMS/DC, VSE-CICS, VSE-COM-PLETE, VM/CMS and BS/2000.
In July, TSI released N2O Version 3.3.3. This was a full release of N2O that dealt specifically with the ADABAS 6.1.3 / N2O LFILE 155 conflict; otherwise, this release was identical to V3.3.2. Software AG (SAG) released ADABAS 6.1.3 using LFILE 155 for Stored Procedures and Triggers (SPATs). However, LFILEs 155-157 were previously reserved by SAG exclusively for N2O use. SAG has agreed to correct this LFILE problem in ADABAS 6.2 (an upgrade of N2O will be necessary for the ADABAS 6.2 release).
The new N2O "Superfinder" feature (see this issue's cover story), is available as an add-on to Version 3.3.3. Starting with Version 3.4.0, to be available soon, the "Superfinder" will be an integral part of N2O. Version 3.4.0 will have many new enhancements, most significantly "emergency recovery of objects from an N2O Archive file when N2O is not available".
TSI has released TRIM V6.1.0 and AUDITRE V2.0.0, both with full ADABAS 6 compatibility and full Year 2000 sensitivity.
PEEK V2.1.6 is now available. New features include extended edit masks, multi-record screen display, record hardcopy printing facility, ADABAS record copy facility, user-defined DDMs, and more.
TSI is planning on a 1997 beta testing release for DELPHI V2.3 and a general availability release soon to follow. DELPHI is our ORACLE MVS performance monitor.
The new versions of ADASTRIP, Version 2.6.2b and ADAREORG, Version 2.2.2 have been released. They are fully compatible with ADABAS 6.
We're a Partner!
TSI is pleased to announce that we have been registered as an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) in the B>SAP™ Internal Partner Database. SAP is the largest supplier of business application software in the world and the fifth largest independent software supplier, overall.
Visits to TSI
Four representatives from SAGD and SAGA visited TSI to discuss relationship-related topics. We also had visits from several potential partners, consultants, and two users from Iceland. We always appreciate visits from customers, consultants, vendors and partners and enjoy the opportunity to present our products and demonstrate their capabilities.
Open House
TSI is inviting all ADABAS/NATURAL professionals to join us for an Open House at the Rosemont Conference Center at 5555 North River Road in Rosemont, Illinois, near O'Hare Airport, on Tuesday, September 30, 1997 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You will be able to meet our developers and members of our support team, see product demonstrations, and meet our sales staff. Refreshments will be provided all day, parking fees will be reimbursed, and there will be a drawing for Bears and Bulls tickets! Come for a few minutes or stay all day.
RACE Shows No Sign of Stopping
Treehouse just received information that Len Jenkinson, Managing Director of WQSL, and his staff have been working on RACE Version 1.4. Using their RACE test stream against this new version, they have found that over 90% of RCs are eliminated. WQSL continues to improve the product. RACE was featured in TREETIPS issue #22. If you would like to view back issues of TREETIPS, visit our web site at http://www.treehouse.com.
Year 2000 Product Compliance Statement
Visit our web site at http://www.treehouse.com to view our most recent statement on Year 2000 compliance of our products. While you're at the TSI site, please fill out the TSI Year 2000 Offerings Customer Survey to let us know what you are looking for in a Year 2000 Solution.
Out and About
Since the last issue of TREETIPS, TSI has visited 30 sites with plans during September to visit sites in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, New York City Area, the Eastern Great Lakes Region, and Eastern Canada.
Treeleaf List on the Web
We have added a new feature on our web site called the "TSI Treeleaf List". The TSI Treeleaf List is an open forum for the discussion of the products and services of TSI, and Software AG related products. The TSI Treeleaf list is primarily intended for topics of a technical nature.
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"Response has been phenomenal! Our direct mail piece, offering a special introductory price, immediately generated 40 trial requests. We're very excited about the popularity of CHART, and we look forward to many success stories."
Richard Jacobson
Vice President, Treehouse Software
Treehouse Software is pleased to announce the availability of CHART for NATURAL, a NATURAL analysis and documentation tool. CHART draws the object-to-object calling structure of any NATURAL application in an easy-to-read graphical format, right on the mainframe. CHART can be used on-line or in batch, giving you the information you need-quickly, accurately, graphically, and interactively! Developed by Harvest Moon Computing Pty Ltd in Australia and originally released in 1994, CHART has undergone an intense period of development and enhancement with significant input from the customers who use the product on a daily basis. CHART is currently being used in 20% of the ADABAS/NATURAL sites in Australia.
"CHART's greatest attraction is immediacy, accuracy, and interactivity in the on-line, mainframe environment."
Tim Baker-Finch
Harvest Moon Computing Pty Ltd
Consider this scenario There is an urgent enhancement required for part of your NATURAL application. The boss wants to know how much work is needed, how long it will take, and what other parts of the system may be affected. You know the initial program name from your menu system, and you know the general objective of this sub-system. Although you are very familiar with most of the applications, no one has had to do any maintenance on this one for a while (as far as you know). There is a little documentation, but it's a few years old, and you know that some related sub-systems have changed significantly during that time. Sound familiar?
With CHART, an accurate structure chart can be drawn on-line in seconds based on the only reliable application documentation: the source code. Programmers keep a rough "roadmap" of their application-at least in their minds if nowhere else. CHART delivers the accurate "roadmap" to their screens, allowing them to navigate around the application as well as to browse relevant objects.
"CHART was easy to install and is even easier to use. We used to manually chart an application and it would take us about a week. With CHART, we did it in a matter of minutes. What an incredible time saver!"
Sam Sesso
State of California,
State Teachers Retirement System
While CHART's greatest attraction is its immediacy and accuracy in the on-line environment, people also want to reproduce output in batch. By limiting a single chart to 15 columns by 15 rows, the results will fit into one normal mainframe printer page (i.e. 132 characters per line by 60 lines per page). These limits also apply on-line to ensure the same output is achieved on-line and in batch.
The 15 x 15 design leads to a theoretical maximum of 211 objects in one chart (if every "leaf" is used). Most charts never reach this limit because they tend to be "wide and short" rather than "narrow and long". CHART was designed based on the premise that a chart with infinite width and depth would be of little value, as users would find themselves lost scrolling around such a monster. While it is not possible to draw a 700-object application in one chart because of the 200-object limitation, it is possible to do so through an iterative process, which fully maps the application in multiple charts.
"CHART brings a very unique, graphical-interface approach to the mainframe. It is no longer necessary to visualize the flow of an application in your head, because CHART brings it to your screen."
Dan Vimont
Senior Systems Analyst, Treehouse Software
Treehouse Software recently signed a cooperative marketing partnership with Harvest Moon which grants TSI the marketing rights to CHART in all markets outside of Australia. Initial North American acceptance of CHART has been positive and significant. As a result of the flurry of customer interest that has occurred, Tim Baker-Finch has agreed to join our Treehouse team on a consulting basis. In addition to his development role, Tim will be available to speak at regional meetings and Symposium and CAUCUS events. You are also welcome to correspond with Tim on the TSI Treeleaf List, our open forum on the TSI web site.
By Lori Falbo, Manager of External Relations
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TSI recently received an interesting survey report from IBM System /390 Market Analysis Department. I/T decision makers representing mainframe computer sites participated in the study.
The primary objectives were to determine trends in MIPS capacity, disk storage, mainframe workload, Internet, and host versus client/server applications. In addition, the study assessed organizations' current view of mainframes, the perceived direction (improving/declining), and the year 2000 issue. The study covered 1500 organizations small and large across the U. S. The survey indicated a surprising continued vitality in the use of the mainframe platform.
Highlights of Survey Findings
Mainframe Capacity
34% of mainframe users report a projected (through 1996) increased mainframe capacity (average growth of 65%), while only 5% reported a decrease. The growth is led by the government and education segments of the surveyed organizations.
Mainframe Disk Storage Capacity
48% expect to add DASD (average growth of 53%), while 5% reported a decrease. The telecom/media segment expects a 112% growth.
Mainframe Workload
56% expect to increase mainframe workload (average growth of 22%), with the majority attributing the increase to growth of existing applications and the rest for new applications.
Applications Scenario
Host-centric computing continues to surpass client/server computing in terms of the distribution of applications, although client/server is gaining from 17% in 1996, to 24% expected in 1997, and 37% in 1998. The mainframe as a server shows up at 42% of organizations in 1996, 56% in 1997, and 58% in 1998.
Internet Activities Internet usage continues to expand, with nearly 53% accessing Internet to search for electronic content to support the business operation, and another 26% with plans to do so. Half of the users post a home page, and almost half use it to exchange data with business partners.
Perceptions of Mainframes
The perception of mainframes remains strong, with 75% expressing a "positive view", with twice as many respondents reporting that the image of mainframes is improving as opposed to declining. 58% say that mainframes will play a critical part in their I/T strategies over the next few years, with another 23% thinking mainframes will be important. Only 3% think of the mainframe as not important.
Year 2000 date Change
The IBM System /390 Market Analysis Department determined that most organizations have investigated and are addressing the year 2000 issue. Over half have decided on a course of action and are making progress. On the other extreme, 14% say it is not an issue. Of those who are acting on the issue, 62% will address it mostly through migration to new versions of mainframe hardware or software which support year 2000, 33% will purchase tools which scan applications and data for indications of problems, and 33% will employ consulting services to identify and fix the problems. 27% will migrate from in-house to off-the-shelf applications as a solution, and only 12% will replace the mainframe with a non-mainframe to solve the problem.
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Need to place some ADABAS C data in a Data Warehouse or Data Mart and the database used is not ADABAS C? Do you need to synchronize the Data Warehouse/Mart and the ADABAS production data from time to time, without reloading all of the data? DPS and tRelational are the answers already at a large state governement site, a large oil company, a financial institution, and other ADABAS sites.
tRelational provides tools to analyze the current ADABAS data; its current definitions; the metadata about the file; how it is currently accessed and updated; and statistics on the actual data content (number of occurrences of repeating data, actual data lengths, uniqueness of Descriptor values, etc.). tRelational then allows you to build a logical data model based upon the ADABAS data, capturing the mappings of the current physical ADABAS fields and the proposed Entities and Attributes. Lastly, tRelational will generate the DDL necessary to allocate the Entities as Tables and the Attributes as Columns.
DPS provides the tools to take the tRelational mappings and extract the data from an ADABAS C ADASAV backup, transform it from the ADABAS physical to the appropriate Columns in the RDBMS Tables, and create raw data which can be loaded into an ORACLE or SYBASE database, using the RDBMS supplied load utility (SQL*Loader for ORACLE, BCP for Sybase).
What if you want to update the RDBMS tables with any changes made to the data in the ADABAS files once the data is loaded (materialized) in the RDBMS? Do you have to reload the data? No! DPS can generate SQL transactions to update the RDBMS tables from a copy of the ADABAS Protection Logs which were in use by ADABAS during the update sessions. These transactions can then be piped through the RDBMS interactive SQL facilities to apply the updates (i. e., SQL*Plus for ORACLE, ISQL for SYBASE). These update transactions honor the End Transaction markers for the ADABAS transactions, generating RDBMS COMMIT at the appropriate points. No more reloading your tables anytime you want to bring the RDBMS tables up-to-date with the ADABAS files. Now, instead of loading millions of rows, you can simply process a smaller subset of update transactions. This is a much more resource-friendly approach to the problem.
DPS has been placed into production with some impressive statistics. At one site, over 1.4 million records were extracted and transformed into the appropriate format for loading into RDBMS Tables in 38 minutes. For another file with 9.1 million records, this process took 133 minutes. All of this is done without having to slow down your ADABAS nucleus with millions of extra commands to extract the data. The current version of DPS (V2.0.0) was released August, 1997 and provides support for ADABAS Versions 5 & 6 ADASAV and Protection Logs. Also included is a routine which will convert NATURAL DATE values which have been stored in an ADABAS Field into a format which can be used to load them into ORACLE or SYBASE Numeric, Character, or Date datatypes. Other features include:
* Ability to specify that an RDBMS Column should contain the ISN of the ADABAS Record from which the RDBMS row was created
* Support for the ORACLE SQL*Loader parameter UNRECOVERABLE, which speeds up loading of Oracle Tables
* Ability to specify how blanks in an ADABAS Alphanumeric field should be treated in the RDBMS Column (should they represent a NULL or not?)
DPS also supports the calling of user-written transformation routines during the transformations process, allowing a site to decode, or cleanup, data values placed into the RDBMS tables (These routines can be written in COBOL or Assembler).
What are the future plans? What about other target RDBMSs? DPS Version 2.0.0 supports ORACLE and SYBASE and was built with modularity in mind. To include new targets is as simple as adding a new module and incorporating a new parameter value. In discussions with various prospects, support for Informix as a target RDBMS, and running DPS under VSE/ESA have been requested. Give TSI a call with your suggestions or problems on data migration and propagation. We would be happy to come to your site to discuss how to include your situation when expanding the versatility of tRelational and DPS.
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Disclaimer: All product names mentioned in TREETIPS are trademarks and/or products of their respective holders. The mention of any non-TSI product in TREETIPS should not be considered to imply support or endorsement by Treehouse Software, Inc., its employees, or affiliates.
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