Ivory Data Access has a rich component set to enable any enterprise to find the right fit for every mainframe data integration and access scenario, from integration of mainframe data into office applications, to bi-directional synchronization of mainframe and non-mainframe data sources, with support for transaction processing.
It contains a powerful SQL Interpreter program, which allows users to address all major host-based data sources including non-relational sources from any workstation or any Web server application without coding. Through listener and scheduling capabilities, Ivory Data Access automates the processes that synchronize the data. Two-phase commit processing is used to synchronize databases using one or more SQL statements within one transaction, and an automated data exchange feature allows users to initiate the exchange of data (either by the host or by a client) as desired.
Virtually all of today's programmers know SQL. SQL has become the industry-standard language for data manipulation. Using standard SQL commands, Ivory Data Access supports access to non-relational as well as relational data sources. The Ivory Data Access SQL engine provides direct access to DB2 tables, IMS or DL/1 databases, ADABAS databases, CA Datacom databases, CA IDMS databases, sequential files, 3270 screens, as well as various vendor-specific file systems, from a variety of open system environments or mainframe platforms.
To avoid the manual definition of mainframe file structures, Ivory Data Access can automatically import data structures defined in source programs or in copybooks. Segment data structures for DL/1 and IMS are automatically imported like any other file formats. For ADABAS and CA Datacom, the corresponding data dictionary system is used (i.e. PREDICT). For CA IDMS, SCHEMA data is evaluated, and information is automatically extracted to establish the proper relationships. Data selected from mainframe files can also be stored in XML format. Ivory Data Access' XML support enables e-business-applications to further process this mainframe data without mainframe know-how.
User-specific SQL queries can be defined with the Ivory Data Access administration application and stored as "Views". End users simply point-and-click to execute the View, and get exactly the data required. Ivory Data Access also supports "Joins", which can be stored centrally as Views for ease of use when needed. Joins allow multiple data sources to be combined in one query, or mainframe and open-systems data processing to be combined, using SQL statements.
Ivory Data Access provides for direct access to any ODBC data source or Oracle database residing on a Windows or UNIX/Linux platform, allowing open systems data to be processed by online (CICS, IMS/DC, etc.) and batch programs on the mainframe. Lotus Notes or Lotus Domino applications can also use SQL to access the mainframe data sources using ODBC.
The Ivory Data Access JDBC/J2EE component provides a platform-independent implementation for JAVA-based applications to access mainframe data sources via TCP/IP. As an alternative, the Ivory Data Access UNIX/Linux component enables open systems applications to upload and download data to and from the mainframe, without requiring a Java Virtual Machine. The Ivory Data Access JDBC/J2EE component also provides direct access to mainframe data sources from Web applications for companies that use WebSphere to gain mainframe Internet connectivity.
All Ivory Data Access server components for Windows, UNIX/Linux and JAVA contain Listener functions that guarantee two-way communication between the mainframe and other systems, and facilitate secure process management.
The optional MS Windows Software Developer Kit (SDK) features the Ivory Data Access OCX programming interface, which can be used by all Windows-based OCX-capable programming languages, such as C, Visual Basic, Delphi, etc.
Using Ivory Data Access as a front end to the MQSeries API significantly shortens and facilitates the MQSeries implementation process.
A Windows application is provided to configure, control, monitor and analyze Ivory Data Access operations. All administrative information is stored by Ivory Data Access on a mainframe disk which is organized in such a way that it can be simultaneously accessed and maintained by authorized workstation users, via integration with Windows Explorer, as well as by host programs.
Ivory Data Access supports the SAF interface, providing simple integration into well-known mainframe security systems such as RACF, TOP SECRET and ACF2.
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