TCM, sole local representative for LANSA, has announced that the LANSA AS/400 development tool now generates Wireless Mark-up Language (WML), the emerging standard for wireless device access to Web information. LANSA provides development tools for IBM AS/400, e-business and advanced graphical applications.
WML is supported by all the major handset manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola as well as IBM, Microsoft and 3Com, the manufacturer of Palm VII.
"Wireless devices such as Palm VII and cell phones will soon be more numerous than cars and PCs," said TCM marketing executive Jorge de Campos. "There are many mobile workers who simply cannot get to a phone line and a PC to do business on the Web."
LANSA`s generation of WML will allow AS/400 users to extend their AS/400 applications and data to their mobile workers and customers.
"Wireless devices such as pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones are defining a new kind of Web, not simply accessing the same old applications," he added.
Wireless devices have small screens and limited keyboards, and therefore require specific application development, optimised for wireless access. Applications must be simple and direct to improve productivity for common mobile worker uses. It is not just a matter of `screen scraping` users` existing 5250 applications to a cell phone. The user interface component of the application must be redesigned using a development tool like LANSA
With LANSA, WML is generated using the same powerful Fourth Generation Language (4GL) that can also be used to generate HTML, Java, C++, RPG and other XML standards. The LANSA 4GL source code stays the same; customers simply change a generation option and regenerate to switch from HTML to WML or Java.
"LANSA`s new WML generation capability will allow AS/400 customers to speed interaction with their mobile staff. LANSA`s short learning curve will enable AS/400 customers to leverage new technologies like WML quickly and with minimal investment," de Campos noted.
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