aXes gives new meaning to Cloud Computing on the IBM i

The aXes product suite includes cloud computing software, aXes-Cloud, that provides browser access to all your IBM i (System i, iSeries or AS/400) applications without you having to install any new software on existing IBM i application servers and without having to change any of your IBM i applications.

aXes-Cloud

Company employees can access multiple applications and servers via an aXes Cloud Gateway.

Company employees can access multiple applications and servers via an aXes Cloud Gateway.

Just install aXes-Cloud on a single IBM i server, called the Cloud Gateway. Then using any device that runs a browser (e.g. desktops, laptops, mobile devices), users can access all the facilities on any IBM i server that is connected to the Cloud Gateway. aXes-Cloud automatically connects incoming users to their assigned applications that can be spread across multiple IBM i servers.

  • Use aXes cloud computing software as a gateway to provide users with access to different applications running on multiple IBM i servers.
  • Older IBM i (System i, iSeries or AS/400) servers that do not support an aXes installation can use the aXes cloud model to provide users with browser access to applications running on these servers.
  • Hosting service providers can host a Cloud Gateway that connects multiple fixed and mobile users to their company’s IBM i server(s).
  • Hosting service providers that host their customers’ IBM i servers can use aXes cloud computing software to route users from multiple different companies to the correct IBM i server(s) within the hosted environment.
  • ISVs can use aXes cloud computing software to offer their application to customers using a software-as-a-service model.

The aXes cloud computing software only needs to be installed on the Cloud Gateway server, but operates as if aXes is installed on each of the connected IBM i servers.

What is aXes-Cloud Computing software?

aXes-Cloud is an extension to aXes that provides all of the aXes features for multiple IBM i servers and applications. It installs on a Cloud Gateway server and gives users access to applications, spooled files and database queries on any IBM i server connected to the Cloud Gateway.

aXes-Cloud provides end-to-end encryption all the way from the user device, through the Cloud Gateway, to the connected server(s).

The aXes cloud computing software can be configured for a:

aXes Private Cloud

To configure a private cloud, companies install the aXes cloud computing software on a single IBM i server which gives users access to any other connected IBM i server(s).

Company employees can access their branch office server from their desk or remote location.
Company employees can access their branch office server from their desk or remote location.

Why use aXes Private Cloud?

A typical scenario for using aXes Private Cloud is when a company runs line-of-business (LOB) applications (e.g. an ERP system) on an older IBM i server and wants to access them from a browser and/or extend them as Rich Internet Applications (RIA) using aXes tools.

Use aXes Private Cloud when faced with the following situations:

  • You cannot replace the existing LOB applications because they are so heavily customised.
  • No source code is available for the existing LOB applications and therefore you cannot make changes.
  • The cost of upgrading or replacing the existing LOB applications is prohibitive.
  • The cost of upgrading the existing IBM i server(s) is prohibitive due to the price of hardware and/or LOB application licences.
  • You are unable to modify your existing server infrastructure.

Installing aXes-Cloud on a new IBM i server connected to the existing IBM i server(s) provides browser access to LOB applications without requiring change to the applications, hardware or operating system.

Benefits

The benefits of using aXes Private Cloud are:

  • No hardware changes to existing IBM i servers.
  • Extends the life of existing IBM i servers.
  • No programming changes are required to the existing LOB applications.
  • No need to change licences for the existing LOB applications.
  • Extends the life of the existing LOB applications.
  • Makes the existing LOB applications accessible from a browser.
  • Provides the opportunity to modernise existing LOB applications using aXes tools without having to change the applications.

Strategic solution

A new IBM i server with the aXes Private Cloud is a strategic solution with both short-term and long-term benefits. In the short-term, aXes-Cloud provides browser access to existing applications with a minimum of effort and in the long-term, you can enhance the user interface using aXes tools to create a RIA.

A long-term benefit is that new IBM i servers come with new capabilities for system management, security, database, application development and access options. The new IBM i server gives the option to migrate applications from the existing IBM i server(s) gradually and/or replace existing applications with new applications.

aXes Public Cloud

aXes-Cloud provides hosting service providers with the tools to configure a public cloud that allows customers secure access to hosted IBM i servers and/or IBM i servers located at the customers’ own premises.

Hosting services providers can provide browser access for their customers' IBM i servers.
Hosting services providers can provide browser access for their customers' IBM i servers.

Employees from each company log on to the Cloud Gateway and are routed to their company server across the Internet, or in a hosted environment, to a server in the hosting company's data centre.

Why use aXes Public Cloud?

aXes Public Cloud is designed primarily for hosting service providers. It is an easy way for hosting service providers to offer browser access to 5250 applications. These applications can be either hosted or located at customer sites or a combination of both.

With aXes-Cloud, hosting service providers can offer aXes as an additional service to help their customers Web-enable their applications. They can also offer application modernisation and enhancement services using aXes tools to customers who are facing these situations:

  • Cannot replace the existing LOB applications because they are so heavily customised.
  • No source code is available for the existing LOB applications and therefore cannot be changed.
  • The cost of upgrading or replacing the existing LOB applications is prohibitive.
  • The cost of upgrading the existing IBM i server is prohibitive due to the price of hardware and/or LOB application licences.
  • Unable to modify existing server infrastructure.
  • No capital expenditure budget but are able to classify costs as operational expenditure.

Installing aXes-Cloud at hosting service providers with connections to IBM i server(s) owned or shared by their customers, provides browser access to LOB applications without requiring change to the applications, hardware or operating system on the customers' servers.

Benefits

The benefits to companies using an aXes Public Cloud are:

  • Makes the existing LOB application accessible from a browser.
  • Provides the opportunity to modernise LOB applications using aXes tools without changing the applications.
  • No programming changes are required to the existing LOB applications.
  • No need to change licences for the existing LOB applications.
  • Extends the life of the existing LOB application.
  • No hardware changes to existing IBM i servers.
  • Extends the life of existing IBM i servers.
  • No capital outlay as expenses are operational.

The benefits to hosting service providers are:

  • Offer Web enablement services for customers' applications.
  • Opportunity for additional services work using the aXes tools to provide application modernisation and enhancement.

Strategic solution

For customers of a hosting service provider, an aXes cloud computing software solution provides access to applications from a browser without capital outlay, incurring only additional operational expenses. It also offers a way to enhance or modernise LOB applications.

The aXes cloud model and tools gives hosting service providers an easy and cost-effective way to offer additional services such as Web enablement and application modernisation to IBM i customers.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Cloud

The aXes cloud computing software provides Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) with the tools to offer their packaged application software to their customers as a service. The ISV installs the aXes cloud computing software on a Cloud Gateway and instances of their packaged application on one or more other IBM i servers.

ISVs can provide Web access to their packaged application.
ISVs can provide Web access to their packaged application.

Customers log on to the Cloud Gateway and are automatically connected to the appropriate server running their instance of the packaged application. ISVs have the option to outsource the management of the Cloud Gateway server and/or the other servers running the packaged application software.

Why use a SaaS Cloud?

The aXes cloud computing software is a cost-effective solution for ISV customers who prefer a hosted service rather than installing and operating an IBM i server and the packaged application. ISVs can use aXes cloud computing software to provide their packaged application as a service to their customers. This approach will open up new markets and attract new customers who may not be IBM i users.

This solution is ideal for ISVs who want to modernise their packaged application by providing Web enablement and enhancing the application.

Benefits

The benefits to ISVs are:

  • Easily Web-enable their packaged application to make it accessible from a browser.
  • A browser-based user interface makes the packaged application easier for customers to learn and use than a traditional text style user interface.
  • Being able to offer a browser-based user interface opens up a wider audience for the packaged application rather than just the IBM i community.
  • ISVs can modernise the packaged application using aXes tools.
  • No programming changes are required to the existing packaged application.
  • Extends the life of the existing packaged application.
  • Attractive option for the ISV's customers as they incur operational rather than capital expenses.

Strategic solution

ISVs can offer their packaged application as a service expanding the range of potential customers.

aXes-Cloud is a strategic solution with both short-term and long-term benefits. In the short-term, aXes-Cloud provides browser access to the packaged application with a minimum of effort and in the long-term, ISVs can modernise and enhance the user interface using aXes tools to create a RIA.

aXes-Cloud features

  • aXes-Cloud only needs to be installed on one IBM i server to enable access to multiple applications and servers
  • No limit to the number of IBM i servers that can be connected to a Cloud Gateway
  • Can be configured as a private or public cloud or both
  • End-to-end encryption from the user device through the Cloud Gateway to the connected servers
  • aXes cloud computing software provides all the features of aXes Terminal Server, Data Explorer and Spooled File Manager
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