ARCAD Software:
A set of solutions to simply manage, organize and secure the evolution of your Information System.
The ARCAD offer covers a variety of markets:
All this with specialized knowledge of the technological environment around the IBM iSeries platform. The iSeries itself being an integration point for multiple technologies, our expertise extends beyond the native iSeries to Windows, UNIX and Linux environments.
All ARCAD solutions are modular, progressive, open, and fully integrated.
The vocation of ARCAD Software is to offer integrated software suites for all phases of the change cycle of an information system. The suites form the cornerstones of a high level methodology, guaranteeing productivity and quality throughout.
The ARCAD suites apply to anyone affected by application change:
The ARCAD solutions apply the same quality skills that defined the success of the space industry to the world of software management on the iSeries. Today, ARCAD is a market leader with 13 years of expertise in the same core business since its inception.
ARCAD is thus the fruit of two skill sets, a methodology expertise inherited from its origins, and a technical proficiency on the iSeries platform.
The multi-platform approach to components and data is vital, as it means that the same procedures and the same levels of security can be used to automatically synchronize the deployment of components and data to heterogeneous servers. And of particular interest to software vendors, complementary functions such as the delivery portal allow on-demand dispatching of patches, CDs and documentation.
The ARCAD-Skipper suite fits in the Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) market covering Software Configuration Management methodologies, version control, deployment and test. Right from user request handling up to the transfer of new versions to production, ARCAD-Skipper secures a general framework for all change processes.
The adoption of our products and services across this wide range is itself recognition of our expertise by experts in the field. Market demand for ARCAD Software is highest among software developers migrating their legacy applications to a Web architecture. Whether you are involved in software development or a 3rd party software user, the ARCAD suites apply to anyone affected by application change.
ARCAD-Observer is the only product in the iSeries field to summarize application architecture and rules with a set of graphical tools, in order to sift through a vast quantity of diverse information and understand an application in seconds prior to making changes.
This particular module is destined for development staff during unit testing. With the Test Coverage Analyzer the developer can view the source lines that have not yet been tested, and thereby check that all modified lines have been run at least once. The system continually measures the test coverage rate, to evaluate the overall testing effort. The generated reports can be used as contractual documents between customers and their suppliers.
ARCAD-Deliver provides a comprehensive solution which automatically distributes and installs new versions of software to local and remote machines, and allows the IT team to fully customize the process to their needs. Technologically, this tool uses a system of lists, which are created by the different batches of modifications transferred to production. It is possible to select objects or sources according to criteria that can be cumulated. These lists are built automatically by the [ARCAD-Changer ] solution. The system allows you to create coherent batches (retrieval of logical files depending on a physical file, programs using certain files, etc).
In line with Software Configuration Management methodologies, the "Changer" module firstly simplifies daily development tasks by maximizing automation and the integrity checking of changes. Thanks to its multi-platform capability, ARCAD-Skipper adapts equally well to native or any kind of Windows, UNIX or Linux development processes. Fully integrated into the Eclipse platform, teams share the same environment that is synchronized by a parallel maintenance control system.
If, like many IT professionals, you have discovered that your documentation is obsolete - or non-existent - Observer offers an immediate solution that also fulfills documentation requirements for [regulatory constraints (SOX, Basel II etc.)].
Each solution can be acquired separately, as needed, then added to complement your changing needs. Your system develops at the same pace as your organization.
ARCAD-Open Repository is the only solution on the iSeries market that provides both an overall functional view of the information system, and a technical snapshot down to the field and source line level. ARCAD-Open Repository is the result of over thirteen years of experience in analyzing iSeries applications in various environments (36, AS/400) and languages. The Open Repository core is also equipped with an internal macro-language (Macro-Maker) that enables the user to tailor existing ARCAD modules and produce customized solutions in just days. The products are distributed with standard "macro-commands," which users can adapt for their own needs.
When testing is underway, it can be extremely difficult to verify that all possible cases in a program have been covered. This involves determining which source lines have, and have not, been executed yet.
iSeries customers tend to be software-package oriented. Many of our customers do not even have development teams. Do they have anything to gain from using ARCAD? Yes, absolutely, because they still need to integrate application changes. Furthermore, many iSeries clients have architectures that combine standard third-party software packages with their own developments. Given the impact these changes can have on your environment, it can be very difficult to integrate new versions of these third-party applications.
With version 8, ARCAD-Skipper made a major leap forward with support for version control of parameter data. With this feature, parameter changes to a software package or in-house application are identified and automatically deployed to production. This tool is a complete "memory" of application change, with an embedded user request management feature that is shared with the [ARCAD-Customer ] Help-Desk suite. Traceability is ensured right from the request down to the modified line of code. This is particularly important for companies subject to regulatory constraints such as [SOX or Basel II ].
The ARCAD-Skipper suite guarantees you full control over your application changes. It applies a structured organizational framework based on robust and proven methodologies. By this alone, IT departments often see productivity gains exceeding 30%. ARCAD Skipper is a suite, for defining a set of working environments and automating the lifecycle of software components, such as transfer to test, transfer to production, distribution and multi-machine installation.
Thanks to their open architecture, the ARCAD products can be either customized or used in standard format. This makes them a safe choice for the evolving requirements of a wide range of customers.
The ARCAD-Customer Help-Desk is a latest generation technical support management suite, offering more services with the same simplicity of use. ARCAD-Customer takes end-user relations to a new level and extends management and control over the technical support activity.
ARCAD-Integrater is a unique solution specifically designed to handle the tedious, never-ending task of integrating third-party modifications into your environment. This module has two objectives : firstly to guarantee the technical quality of vendor deliveries, and secondly to manage the impact of a new version on related systems, such as interface programs, EAI or other specifically developed software. It provides component error reports that can be relayed back to the supplier, automatically reserving any specific components that need to be adapted. By automating these processes, continual application reliability is assured, whatever the rate of change.
All of the ARCAD suites (with the exception of [ARCAD-Customer ]) are integrated through through this common core, drawing on the information and enriching the range of features available.
Our products and services are intended both for user businesses with their own inhouse development teams and those that either outsource this process or use only software packages. ARCAD solutions are also aimed at information technology professionals in general. Our customers range from IT companies proposing facilities management or tool based turnkey projects (information system auditing and restructuring, retro-documentation, etc.) through to iSeries software vendors.
Result : productivity gains exceeding 50% in mass transformation projects. This tool not only automates impact analyses for projects underway, it also allows you to automatically obtain between 50% and 100% of your source code modifications. Your ROI is immediate, starting with the first project. It guarantees automation of your processes by implementing proven and efficient technology that covers every phase of your projects.
The Extract module solves this problem by building extraction queries that respect referential integrity. The system relies on the use of database links, stored in the [ARCAD repository ], that are also used to produce the database diagrams in the [ARCAD-Observer ] suite. This is an example of the added value of the integrated architecture of the ARCAD suites. Disk space requirements are estimated and the queries are run as often as necessary. The data itself can be downloaded onto a given system or onto a remote partition.
Software development teams spend at least 50% of their time trying to understand an application before modifying it. The solution to this business problem is application mining software that focuses on productivity in iSeries application maintenance. Application mining is to the IT professional what data mining is to the business manager.
Whatever the number of iSeries in production, automating the deployment process of new releases of software is an important factor for productivity and security.
Since the company's foundation, ARCAD Software has always focused on the performance and functional richness of its products, continually attentive to overall quality and customer satisfaction. Today we are seeing the payback of this approach: the ARCAD product range has the highest level of integration and widest functional scope on the market.
All ARCAD employees work in a spirit of maximum quality service. We consider reactivity and follow-through with our customers as one of our key success factors and we are committed to maintaining a personal relationship with each and every one. Our customers are a constant source of input in our development strategy.
The "Verifier" module guarantees far more extensive repeated testing than could ever be achieved manually. Typically, development staff tend to concentrate on testing the modifications themselves. ARCAD-Verifier adds real value by also automatically testing all the peripheral functions that have not been modified directly, but that may be impacted by side-effects. This kind of insidious bug is dreaded by development departments as it damages their credibility with users who may be completely unaware of the original modification. The principle is simple: you record a scenario by executing one or more application functions.
The ARCAD-Observer suite is a concrete solution for maintaining and transferring the knowledge of existing systems. Whether the context is application maintenance or modernization, the basic needs are the same: to find information within complex application architectures and have ready access to technical documentation that is guaranteed relevant and up-to-date.
To provide multi-platform application mining software for iSeries combined with integrated change management tools to ensure high productivity in Web migration, maintenance and enhancement activities. ARCAD Software, role : vendor/integrator. Our role does not stop at software development. Our team of expert consultants can with work you through the implementation stages. They contribute their experience in successful integration projects and facilitate the transfer of skills. Whatever your mix of development and/or production processes, don't hesitate to contact us. We can work together to select the right solutions and methods for you and your business.
Testing procedures are costly but necessary. Indeed, numerous test phases are required to ensure a satisfactory level of reliability for your users. Automatic test tools are a useful and effective solution to help control these costs. These tools guarantee non regression of the information system through thorough and in-depth testing. In the case of regular maintenance or urgently-needed corrections, these tools are indispensable to guarantee the automatic testing of peripheral functions that may be indirectly affected by a change.
What makes the ARCAD solutions unique is their integrated design, based on a central repository core. Indeed the same R&D team has designed the products since the company's inception. This is a true guarantee of product consistency and ergonomy. In addition, the modular design of the product range means that implemented solutions are both flexible and scalable.
This unique solution is the result of our partnership with several application software vendors. This tool brings you peace of mind as you handle the reception of each new application version. ARCAD-Integrater guarantees the integrity of items transferred to production, ensuring the non-regression of your information system. In addition to peace of mind, the solution provides time savings through automation of checkouts and impact analysis tasks. The time-consuming process of integrating software packages can be reduced to just one hour. ARCAD-Integrater is a reliable and secure tool which allows you to simultaneously improve productivity and eliminate any risk of errors in the transfer-to-production phase.
The most important aspect in the comprehension of an Information System is invariably an understanding of the data architecture. In the case of a DB2/400 database, the presentation of this information is often obscure.
For efficient control over your application changes, you will need precise dashboard information.
The defining characteristic of our solution package is its integrated approach. The product line is built around a common core: the ARCAD-Open Repository, the heart of our technology. It is the result of over 13 years of experience in applications analysis.
When projects impact your database, you should still be targeting maximum automation, as the only sure way to team productivity and exhaustive code transformation. Impact analysis constitutes a sizeable proportion of any information system modification. It is an essential preliminary step in the success of any IS evolution project. Many maintenance projects also require database modifications (field addition and size modification, for example). Eliminating the risks involved in modifications and their corresponding adaptations is a lengthy and tedious task that entails two major concerns: Impact analysis and code conversion.