Users of mainframe batch programmes can now send messages directly to cellular phones. Using EntireX middleware software, Software AG`s platform for Windows-based software applications, cellular phones can receive SMS (Short Message Service) messages.
SPL, representatives of Software AG in South Africa, recently demonstrated this, using a video shop scenario. A fun example of the versatility and flexibility of EntireX, the middleware was able to generate SMS messages to alert customers of late videos. In this scenario, a batch job is run every morning on the mainframe, to determine which customers still have outstanding videos.
A Microsoft Visual Basic (VB) service is started on the workstation, which registers with EntireX Broker and waits for messages. The mainframe application sends a message via the EntireX Broker ActiveX Control to the workstation. . The message includes the customer name, video title and customer`s cellphone number. EntireX Broker is a COM component which exposes the routines of an application, and supports synchronous and asynchronous messaging as well as persistence
The VB application uses an ActiveX control supporting MAPI (Messaging Application Program Interface), to send a message to the specific cellphone number.
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