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BCD's Nexus Portal Adds Instant Chat, Messaging, Spool-file Management, 5250 Emulation, and New Nexus WOW Options
iSeries Nexus Portal Version 2.50 Offers "Web Desktop" From Any Web Browser
CHICAGO — October 18, 2004 — Today Business Computer Design (BCD) announced a major release of its Nexus Portal i5-, iSeries-, and AS/400-centric portal solution. Added to Nexus in Version 2.50 is an extensive list of time-saving organization and convenience features including real-time chat and messaging capabilities, Web-based 5250 green screen terminal emulation, spool-file management, and new easy-to-use Web Object Warehouse (WOW) functions.
Nexus is distributed in the UK by SoftLanding Europe Plc.
Nexus Messaging for the Web
In order to boost productivity and improve the flow of information, Nexus offers a new add-on portlet that includes instant chat capabilities that enable users to send and receive messages and start instant chat sessions directly from the Nexus Portal. Nexus Messaging eliminates the need to open any other messaging product.
When a message is received, a window containing the message appears on the recipient's Nexus desktop. These messages can include text, HTML, or emoticons. iSeries system messages can also be instantly transmitted for those who want to keep a close eye on system operations. Nexus maintains a log of all sent and received messages for easy retrieval. Nexus Messaging displays all active Nexus users, and a friends list can be created to show which members of this list are active.
Kevin Cronin, development manager at ExcelSystems (BCD's development partner) who uses Nexus Messaging every day, says, "It's great to have this on my desktop. I can easily stay in contact with colleagues who are working at client sites. It's as if they were sitting right next to me." He further explains, "The chat facility works automatically when any portal page is displayed. This means another user and I can have a dialogue using a tool that we both have open anyway. There's no need to fire up MSN Messenger or send dozens of emails."
Spool-Explorer for the Web - Spool File Management
Another innovative new portlet available as an add-on feature in Nexus V 2.50 supports the ability to view and work with spool files. This gives users secure access to view reports and manage spool files through a browser-based interface, supporting the ability to view and change spool file attributes. One click and users can view an HTML version of the spool file.
Green Screen Terminal Emulation over the Web
A 30-day evaluation version of the Mocha ActiveX TN5250 emulator from MochaSoft is shipped as an optional Nexus portlet. Anyone who accesses AS/400, iSeries, or i5 computers from a green screen can now have secured access from any web browser with all personal settings intact. Users can customize emulator settings including color, fonts, keyboard maps, height width, host settings, and others using standard configuration options. If users wish to continue using this feature, they will need to obtain an iSeries site license from MochaSoft.
Expanded Web Object Warehouse Functionality
The Nexus Web Object Warehouse (WOW), a free feature exclusive to the Nexus portal, lets users archive and retrieve documents that would normally be stored on a PC. These include Word and Excel documents, Web pages, PDF documents, text pages, and even executable programs. Several enhancements have been made to the WOW in Nexus V 2.50, including a new user interface that makes it easy for users to perform free format searches and retrieve objects. New advanced search capabilities have also been added. "Sharing of documents for iSeries shops has never been easier," says Cronin.
The Nexus WOW now supports limited Key Pairs, meaning users who are storing documents, spreadsheets, and programs in the WOW can add search values themselves. This feature makes it easy to retrieve these objects in the future.
The new features in Nexus give i5, iSeries, and AS/400 technicians and other users more flexibility and control than ever before. Cronin says, "The days of having to be seated at your desk to access applications, telnet, spool files, iSeries messages, and even Web-based job control are behind us. Now you've got a complete, secured web desktop available from any Web browser."
More Information
Visit www.bcdsoftware.com for additional information on Nexus Portal Version 2.50, or contact SoftLanding Europe Plc, BCD's UK distributor (www.softlandingeurope.com): +44 (0)1442 293100, sales@softlandingeurope.com.
About BCD
In the past 25 years, BCD has sold over 28,000+ copies of its software products to 10,000+ sites in the IBM Midrange community. Along the way BCD has won 25+ industry awards, including 14 for the best Web and iSeries development tools. Six of the awards were received in 2004. Today, WebSmart, Nexus Portal, Catapult, and ProGen Plus are among their most widely used products.
About SoftLanding Europe
SoftLanding Europe is a systems integration company specializing in selling and supporting high quality products for the AS/400 and iSeries community. Their solutions and expertise encompass change management, network and system security, software and Web development, system management and support, and spool file analysis and distribution. For almost a decade, the heart of its product offering has been the TurnOver Change Management system, supported by a complementary range of additional products to augment its standing as a leading specialist in Software Management solutions.
Media Contacts:
BCD
Eric Figura
1-630-986-0800
Eric@bcdsoftware.com
SoftLanding Europe Plc
Paul Stevens
+44 (0)1442 293100
paul.stevens@softlandingeurope.com
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