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Replace or modernize RPG-AS/400 systems

Many businesses have core systems based on Report Program Generator (RPG), the software on the IBM AS/400 and iSeries computer systems. Although these applications still prove their worth, they have great difficulty meeting today's requirements, such as launching web shops or apps quickly.

Discover Thinkwise, a leading specialist when it comes to replacing large, evolving, and unique RPG-AS/400 systems.

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Thinkwise: the driving force behind your digital transformation

Companies must be supported by a tech stack that supports their innovation; this is the key to a competitive edge. With RPG phasing out, talent is in short supply. Opting for a standard package as a replacement comes with challenges too: managing additional applications and complexity comes with an elevated level of maintenance and increased risk.

The Thinkwise platform for core systems and business-critical solutions is flexible and highly future-proof. A new core system is typically online up to 20 times faster than C#-based systems. This enables you to launch a comprehensive ERP system within one year with only 5 FTEs. Through analyzing user actions, the user interfaces and workflows become more attuned to the organization, groups, and individual colleagues. This means your software automatically evolves with the needs of your business operations.

Whitepaper

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ALTERNATIVE TO RPG-AS/400

Applications that grow with your organization

Ultimately, organizations with RPG-AS/400 applications all face the same challenge: how do we make sure our applications can keep up with a rapidly changing world? It's critical to find the right technology before investing massive amounts of time, money, and resources. Thinkwise provides the technology to ensure that your application will always remain technologically up to date.

So how does Thinkwise differ from RPG-AS/400s?

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Always up-to-date
Gone are the days of technologically obsolete software

With Thinkwise, your applications become technology independent; you focus on maintaining the model, rather than single lines of code. The underlying technology, such as User Interfaces, Service Tiers, and databases are periodically updated for you,  without impacting previously built applications. This means that a Thinkwise application will never become a legacy in any of these areas and will always remain technologically fit.
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Authorization and permissions
Built-in authorization system: no more need for manual programming

The Thinkwise Platform features a built-in authorization system. Many other platforms do not have authorization integrated into their systems, which then has to be programmed manually. Managing and maintaining a separate asset properly in the long run is a complex challenge. When integrated in the model, it is very easy to create new users, including all associated rights and roles. This is crucial in organizations with many different types of users in- and externally and security vulnerabilities.

The platform also supports OpenID authentication by default. Various OpenID providers, such as Azure AD, Facebook, Gmail, etc. are available. Furthermore, the platform itself can be used as an OpenID provider, allowing third-party applications to use Single Sign-on (SSO) with accounts stored in the Thinkwise Platform.
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Flexible test database
Rapid & efficient testing

Software development requires a great deal of testing and continuous improvement. The Thinkwise Platform integrates test cases into the model, which means they continue to function properly even after changes to either the data model or the GUI model.

In addition, the Thinkwise AI-powered development environment lets you automatically generate test cases based on the model.
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Migrate your applications easily
Modernizing comprehensive systems using the Upcycler

A major added value of the Thinkwise Platform is its integrated solution for modernizing RPG-AS/400. With the Upcycler you can create a first version of a Thinkwise application by simply importing an RPG-AS/400 application. The result will obviously not be ready for production just yet, but a significant part of the work will have been done for you automatically.

The process to Upcycle a RPG-AS/400 application roughly consists of the following steps
  1. Extracting model & data
  2. Importing model
  3. Transforming meta model to Thinkwise model
  4. Deploying the application
  5. Importing legacy data into the Thinkwise application
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Integration
The key to a data-driven organization

It goes without saying that software needs to be able to communicate with other systems. Our integrated service tier provides secure access to all desired data and functionality through an open API based on the OData protocol.

The Thinkwise Platform offers extensive integration capabilities such as: 
  • Database connectivity
  • Web Services
  • Business Intelligence
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Office and reporting
FAQ
1. How does Thinkwise mitigate the risk of Vendor Lock-in?

Thinkwise minimizes lock-in to a minimum by offering open standards. We don't have a proprietary programming language and the entire model you build and the database are directly accessible outside the Thinkwise environment. You can use your own cloud or servers and even deploy the business logic to a location of your choice. In the event that you really want to stop using Thinkwise, everything can be saved or reused, including code comments.

2. Why wouldn't I face the same challenges with Thinkwise in 10 years?

There are several reasons why this will not happen. The main reason is that the platform itself is built with the platform, just as a 3D printer prints the next, better version of a 3D printer. This means that just like your applications, the platform itself will never become technologically obsolete, so it will not become legacy itself.

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