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This similarity in background led us to examine the complementary nature of our respective product lines. An in-depth study quickly demonstrated that over 80% of our products are entirely complementary, and that it was possible to build a coherent, integrated product line with the remaining 20%. This section provides a point-by-point list of these complementary factors.
Integrating ARCAD-Skipper and Rational ClearQuest
ARCAD-Skipper has a user request management module that is integrated as a standard part of the product. Rational ClearQuest covers this same area. If a client does not already use this type of tool, he can choose one of these solutions using a simple criteria: if he needs a simple solution to set up a formal procedure, or if he wishes to establish a more sophisticated and customizable solution, particularly with a configurable workflow. In this case, the client could effectively use ClearQuest.
ARCAD Software can now offer our clients a range of choices, providing our line with increased depth. As a Value Added Partner, ARCAD can provide all the licenses and skills needed to set up a ClearQuest agent.
Further, since Version 8.05, ARCAD has provided a bi-directional Request Form interface for ClearQuest and ARCAD maintenance reports. You can now combine the functional richness of ClearQuest with the harmonizing power of ARCAD-Skipper.
Integrating ARCAD-Skipper and Rational ClearCase
We are looking here at two application change management solutions. This would seem to put them in competition with each other. If the client does not already have one of the solutions, he must make a strategic choice about managing UNIX/Linux or Windows components, since the two products both cover the same component types.
From our viewpoint, this choice is relatively easy to make: if your UNIX/Linux or Windows components are strongly linked with System i native components, you will want to centralize component management in ARCAD-Skipper. This is the typical case if you have developed a graphic interface in an existing 5250 application. On the other hand, if you have complete applications in UNIX/Linux or Windows, with dedicated teams and simple linking with your System i applications via file transfer, you will want to do a detailed study of the ClearCase suite’s functions. ARCAD can certainly meet your needs in these environment types, but the approaches to the different versioning procedures are different enough to warrant closer study.
Thanks to the complementary ClearQuest suite, you can access a common base for the two GCLs and ensure total coherence of the whole system.
Integrating ARCAD-Customer and Rational ClearQuest
The ARCAD-Customer solution is a leader in the Help-Desk market. The difference between Help-Desk and Request Tracking is that Help-Desk provides broader coverage of technical support activities. Generated requests can be for materiel or software. You can also use this application to collect questions and answers.
ARCAD-Software will soon be able to offer an interface between ARCAD-Customer and Rational ClearQuest. ARCAD-Customer will be positioned upstream from ClearQuest and will automatically generate new Request Forms.
Integrating ARCAD-Observer and Rational Software Architect
ARCAD-Observer has a DB2/400 database re-engineering module. It uses various procedures to analyze the links between physical files and/or tables at the key field level. This information can be recreated as diagrams, or exported in Data Definition Language (DDL) format. This format is compatible with the RSA suite (Rational Software Architect, also known as Rational Rose). You can then rework a data model, either to expand it or to verify if the model is indeed completely relational.
SQL scripts generated by RSA can be managed in configuration control mode in ARCAD-Skipper. They will be used to automatically upgrade System i databases during transfers to test and production.
Integrating ARCAD-Qualifier with Rational Functional Tester
In this area, the complementary of the two products is nearly complete:
ARCAD-Qualifier covers:
- Analysis of test coverage of native System i applications
- Production data extraction for DB2/400 bases (i.e., data that does not have referential integrity constraints)
- Test scenario management for 5250 applications.
Rational Functional Tester covers:
- Test plan management
- Test scenario management [Use Cases] for open system applications.
While RFT has an option to cover 5250 applications, the ARCAD-Qualifier Verifier module is more powerful because it provides additional functions:
- Coverage of management of test data used in the scenarios
- Handling batch job control
- Coverage of data and spool file comparisons
Conclusion
The ARCAD Software strategy has always been to stick as closely as possible to the needs of its System i clientele. As our clientele is moving toward multi-platform environments, we have naturally evolved to include multi-platform versioning.
Through our collaboration with the IBM Rational teams, ARCAD Software has developed a coherent product line that meets the needs of completely heterogeneous development teams, whether they work in System i, z, p, or x. Our clients can build a complete and homogenous system by using the best of all available technical environments.
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