Modernise And Extend Your Existing System i Applications

Do you want to keep ‘green screen’ functionality but have an easier to use, more modern system?

Many System i customers have applications that are developed in-house using RPG. We know of one case of a customer’s application which provided excellent coverage of their corporate distribution and manufacturing requirements. However, some of the specific challenges they faced were:

1. The order entry module, used by 20 Customer Service Representatives in the Call Centre, was clumsy and its green screen interface was cryptic and time-consuming.
2. Over 20% of inbound calls relate to order enquiries but for each request a representative has to navigate up to 14 menu and program screens before answering the query.
3. The company wanted to continuously re-engineer its core business processes to respond to global competition and price pressures, but needed a more cost-effective and rapid way of keeping its applications in step.

In this customer’s case they wanted to get increased value from their core applications but didn’t want to install an expensive and completely unknown new application, in terms of both external cost and implementation effort. What was their solution?

Success Story

They chose “application modernization” with LANSA’s RAMP (Rapid Application Modernisation Process) solution.

RAMP goes way beyond conventional refacing and modernisation technologies. It is an entirely new approach to System i application rejuvenation and innovation. RAMP lets you run refaced “green screen” applications inside LANSA’s Application Framework to give both streamlined application navigation from a “Microsoft Outlook style” interface and a platform to incrementally snap in new functionality and new technology to meet changing needs over time.

After a RAMP project, the challenges had been met as follows:

1. Using a new graphical front-end, the number of key strokes required to enter a 4-line order reduced from 101 to only 26.
2. Instead of having to navigate 14 screens to complete an order enquiry, all enquiry details are accessible from a single screen with RAMP-generated tab sheets for rapid information access.
3. The total effect was a 25% productivity improvement over 12 business processes with significant reductions in operator error and the time taken to train new staff.
4. Without changing the original application, a platform was created to rapidly add Microsoft Office, email and PDF integration, web site call outs and new functionality, all integrated with the customer’s existing database and functionality. 

Working with LANSA, we can offer you a new “Lease of Life” by bundling the RAMP solution with the latest in System i technology

If you think RAMP sounds like what you need, or you’d like to discuss your situation in more detail we are just a phone call away – 1800 777 111.