Easily stage mainframe data
Many organizations continue to face increased challenges with mainframe CPU usage costs and resource availability. The Arbutus Windows server is designed to address these challenges and give organizations a simple, low cost solution to stage and access mainframe data.
The Arbutus Windows server is fully compatible with all data and record types found on an IBM mainframe, and requires no translation or transformation to use the data. Just copy the data from the mainframe to the Windows server, complete a brief data definition step, and you are ready to go.
Sequential files (fixed or variable length) can be moved to the Windows server with any existing file transfer technology (such as FTP), without conversion. VSAM, ISAM, DB2 and IMS data can also be extracted directly, using either the Arbutus Mainframe Server or any other suitable transfer protocol. The transferred files don't require any form of data transformation, as the Windows server is fully compatible with the data as stored (including EBCDIC, PACKED, ZONED and BINARY data).
Once mainframe data is staged, the data access and integration capabilities of Arbutus can then be utilized, without impacting the mainframe load. Data marts can be created and updated as easily as just copying a file.
Access Windows files and SQL Databases
The Arbutus Windows server also supports all relational data sources including Oracle, DB2, SQL Server and virtually every other Windows SQL database. The server uses ODBC to ensure the highest level of compatibility with your data environment.
As with staged mainframe data, it is a straight forward process to give access to appropriate individuals or groups throughout your organization. Using Arbutus LegacyLink you can seamlessly integrate your data with any Windows application, anywhere in your office, organization, or the world, using our secure server communications.
Shared data access
Data stored on a Windows server can be shared throughout your organization. One simple definition step makes it instantly available to all users. This is the same for Windows files, staged mainframe data or relational data sources.
One significant benefit of this approach is that you no longer need to deploy a number of separate data interfaces to access the various sources. You can now install one driver and have access to virtually any data source.
Combine data from all of these sources
The Windows server also allows that data to be combined and integrated in any way desired. You can take local data, staged mainframe data and even SQL databases, and combine any of these sources in any way desired, into a single unified view.
This also means that you can combine information from different databases. For example, Oracle tables can be dynamically combined with SQL Server tables. This flexibility of connection allows a superior level of information integration.
Key features:
- Compatible with all Windows versions, including Vista , XP, Windows 2000, NT and Windows Server 2003
- Small footprint, requiring less than 5MB, exclusive of temporary data files
- Provides access to other data sources including Unisys, HP and DEC once they are staged
- Defines and accesses existing flat files already on the server
- Defines and accesses any information stored in SQL or ODBC data sources
- Native mainframe file types are supported, including fixed and variable length formats
- All native mainframe field types are supported, including EBCDIC, Packed, Zoned, Binary and Float
- Communicates via TCP/IP, allowing remote access in distributed environments
- All connectivity can be totally transparent to users who access staged mainframe data
- Data transmission delays are minimized, as only the columns and rows required are downloaded
- Data transmission speeds are further improved through the use of compression
- Data transmission over public lines can be secured by encryption
- Minimal infrastructure and set up time, as data is staged in its original unconverted format
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